On Bastille Day the conditions were easy at Scotland’s Royal Troon, where the British Open saw Phil Mickelson nearly break the all-time low score record for a major championship. Everything was the opposite of easy in Nice, France, where a horrifying attack killed upwards of 80 innocent people who were celebrating the French holiday. The weather in Scotland turned nasty on Friday, rain and wind pelting the British soil as if the sky itself were mourning the tragedy.
Play at The Open continued despite the wreckage in France — too often now we are forced to “carry on” with Churchillian fortitude as tragedy roars around us. But the golfers in Scotland are acutely aware of what happened. The RGA, which runs The Open, has offered players black ribbons to wear to show solidarity with the victims of the Nice attacks. And many of the players have taken the opportunity to make a more pronounced statement, dressing in all black to show respect and sorrow for the slain and their families. The French flag next the final hole grandstand is flying at half mast.
Defending champion Zach Johnson moves to within 4 of Phil Mickelson with a birdie on the 2nd #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/73X1vMlIFc
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 15, 2016
