Under new criteria announced by the Royal & Ancient, the Open Championship will now exempt the top 30 players from the FedEx Cup standings and the top 30 from the European tour money list, which next year will be the "Race to Dubai."

After winning the Open Championship last year, Padraig Harrington wanted to set himself apart by winning a second major. Now that he has accomplished that mission, he says, he's going to take some time to reflect and set some new goals.

A day after winning his second Open Championship in a row, Padraig Harrington admitted that his greatest motivation has been, and always will be, fear of failure.

Padraig Harrington thought he'd win a second major, but he admitted he didn't know it would be so soon. And, thankfully, this time he got to soak it all in as he strolled up the final fairway.
Harrington's scorecard | Ireland celebrates again

Want to know how Greg Norman really felt about his loss at the 137th Open Championship? "If you really want to chase something and chase a dream, you can go do it," the 53-year-old said Sunday.
Norman's scorecard | Video: Norman talks about his feelings

Pubgoers watching the tournament live on television in Dublin pubs exchanged toasts and high-fives as Padraig Harrington eagled the 17th hole to put his victory beyond doubt.

Ian Poulter proved he's more than a fashion plate Sunday by vaulting all the way up into second place. Now he wants to stay hot all the way through the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup.
Poulter's scorecard | Notebook: See you next year

Phil Mickelson had plenty of compliments for Royal Birkdale Sunday, even after tying for 19th place. The week was, however, one of the most difficult he's ever endured.
Mickelson's scorecard | Wood follows Rose to glory

After finishing third in the U.S. Open, Lee Westwood had high hopes at Birkdale. He struggled with his putter, though, and knows he needs to remedy that shortcoming quickly.
Westwood's scorecard | Read up on the Great Triumvirate

Greg Norman, amateur Chris Wood, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson can mark their calendars. Plus, K.J. Choi feels like he's closing in on a major, Padraig Harrington was hot and cold at the same time, and more.

A decade after Justin Rose's Open Championship coming-out party at Royal Birkdale, 20-year-old amateur Chris Wood splashed onto the scene in similarly dramatic fashion.

Scott Verplank wanted to pull out of the Open Championship and be with his grieving family. But they urged him to stay and play, because that's what Fran Pruitt, his sister-in-law and wife of PGA TOUR player Dillard Pruitt, would have wanted.

Greg Norman can rewrite the record books if he can close out an improbable victory on Sunday. But to get there, he says, he's got to forget the big picture and focus on the shot at hand.
Norman's scorecard | Troublesome 10th hole

Last year, Padraig Harrington felt no stress heading into Sunday at Carnoustie. This time, though, the defending champ knows he's squarely in the last-group spotlight.
Harrington's scorecard | Putting: Oscillation frustration

The wind whipping off the Irish Sea on Saturday made it difficult for the players to judge the speed of their putts, settle on a line or even know when it was safe to make a stroke.

As did everyone else Saturday, K.J. Choi had trouble controlling his shots in the whistling wind. But he still likes the course, and believes he can bounce back big and contend on Sunday.
Choi's scorecard | Notebook: Casey's royal fan

David Duval's hopes for a breakthrough tournament blew away in the whipping win Saturday, but he was pleased with how he struck the ball and maintained his rhythm.
Duval's scorecard | Tour Royal Birkdale

Two delays caused by the wind moving golf balls around on the exposed 10th green Saturday led to huge back-ups that stretched out the third round to five hours.

The angles of attack prompted by the stiff breeze confused more than one player. Plus, Paul Casey ran into a royal fan, Heath Slocum has no regrets, and more.

Considering Ben Curtis played his first seven holes of the 137th Open Championship in 7 over par, it's incredible he even made the cut. That he is in contention for his second Open title is equally amazing.
Curtis' scorecard | Learn about the Claret Jug

The Anthony Kim of old most surely would have suffered a meltdown. But the new Anthony Kim was able to keep his composure -- and his game -- intact Saturday when things didn't go entirely his way.
Kim's scorecard | Open Championship Video Vault

OK, he has our attention now, especially after Saturday's brilliant 72. But can Greg Norman and his 53-year-old body close the deal and make history by winning the 137th Open Championship?
Round 3 Recap: Look who blew in | Video: Watch Open highlights!

K.J. Choi leads a major for the first time in his career, but his Friday 67 was no surprise. The quiet Korean feels very comfortable on links courses, and his results in the Open Championship show it.
Notebook: Daly misses by a mile | Wood smells like a Rose

With players like Greg Norman and Tom Watson playing well in the difficult conditions at Birkdale, Jack Nicklaus questions whether today's golfers need to be tougher.

Former Open champ John Daly ends two days a staggering 20 shots off the cut line. Plus, Tom Watson has a reason to stick around, a death touches many, and more.

In shades of Justin Rose a decade ago, Chris Wood prompted a roar from the Birkdale crowd with a big chip-in and now has hopes of winning the silver medal.  

Colin Montgomerie played the first six holes of his second round in 7 over par, but then buckled down and covered the remaining 12 in 2 under to make the cut.

Forget that Greg Norman will be competing in the Senior Open Championship next week at Royal Troon. The 53-year-old Shark still has more business to take care of at the 137th Open Championship.
Video: Greg talks with TNT's Jim Huber, plus highlights!

After bogeying his first two holes Friday, Camilo Villegas was trying just to make the cut. But after rallying brilliantly for a 65, the young Colombian can try and win.
Video: Watch highlights from Villegas' awesome round

For a resurgent David Duval, his play this week is a confirmation that all the little things he's been seeing in recent years are coming together like he always believed they would.
Duval's scorecard | Monty fights back from disaster

In his final blog entry, Mark O'Meara says poor putting ruined his chances to play the weekend. He's in the Senior British Open next week, though, so he'll put in some extra work on the greens.
O'Meara's Blogs: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

Rocco Mediate has always been a fan favorite. But given what he's done the last two months at the U.S. Open and here at Royal Birkdale, he's taken his stature to a whole new level.
Video: Mediate talks about being in the major hunt again

Once Jim Furyk figured out that success in the Open Championship requires a low ball flight, he got his groove back. Just like he has the last two days at Royal Birkdale.
Video: Furyk talks about his putting, confidence

Two years ago, Graeme McDowell led after the first round of the Open Championship but faded badly. After a 73 Friday, the Northern Irishman hopes that experience pays dividends.
McDowell's scorecard | Check out our exclusive video

Former Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch sat down with PGA.com for a Q&A Friday morning at Royal Birkdale. See what he had to say about the weather, his fellow Aussies and the luck of the draw.
Video: Baker-Finch on the Open | Pre-event Baker-Finch Q&A

PGATOUR.com's Mark Spoor and his colleagues were looking forward to seeing their old friend they met last year in Carnoustie, but, sadly, it was not be. Still, Thursday was a very good day.
Spoor Blog Archive: Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs.

Rocco Mediate has got this major championship thing down. Mediate scrambled with the best of them on Thursday as he carded one of the three under-par rounds on the board.
Mediate's scorecard | Brit contingent starts strong

For all his major heartbreaks in America, Greg Norman has often thrived in the Open. He was at his shotmaking best again Thursday, and sits right off the lead.
Norman's scorecard | Kelly, Dawson spar over set-up

Englishmen Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher both carded 72s Thursday, while Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose also got off to respectable starts.

Jerry Kelly had some choice words for the R&A Thursday regarding the first-round tee positions, but R&A chief Peter Dawson said he didn’t think the complaints were valid.

Luck is a big part of golf's oldest championship, and that was never more evident than Thursday. Tee times were just as important as the clubs in the bag, given the dramatic turn of the weather that essentially turned one day into two.

Mark O'Meara was pleased with his shotmaking on the back nine en route to an opening 74, but the best part of his day was the nice ovation he got on the 18th green.
O'Meara Blog Archive: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday

Experience pays off big on Thursday for Tom Watson and Greg Norman. Plus, David Duval's on the rise, Rich Beem's not happy, Lucas Glover's all wet, and more. 

Former Open Championship winner Sandy Lyle had enough of the brutal conditions Thursday morning, and walked in after going 11 over par in his first 10 holes. Former PGA champion Rich Beem was 12 over at the turn when he decided to stop.

You don't win two U.S. Open titles by being impatient and easily flustered. So Retief Goosen felt right at home Thursday at brutal Royal Birkdale, where the wind blew and the rain fell.
Goosen's scorecard | Notebook: Veterans show the way

Defending Champion Padraig Harrington knew his right wrist was going to be just fine after he played out of the rough on four of his first five holes during his opening round at Royal Birkdale.
Harrington's scorecard | Precious afternoon tee (time)

When Heath Slocum got the call, he had less that 30 minutes to warm up and make it to the first tee Thursday morning. But such is life for an alternate hoping just to get in the field.
Slocum's scorecard | Major champs call it quits early

Sure, things get extra difficult for players when the wind blows hard and the rain falls cold. But they're not the only ones whose jobs get harder in bad weather. Just ask their caddies.
Five Englishmen to watch at Royal Birkdale

PGATOUR.com's Mark Spoor spotted him and his wife a mile away. After all, someone wearing a crisp, black Vanderbilt Commodores baseball cap sure sticks out when he's so far from home.
Spoor Blog Archive: Mon. | Tues. | Wed.

Because of the relentless wind this week, a links course known as being the most fair on the Open Championship rota has become a real beast. If the conditions don't improve, survival will be the key.

Heath Slocum might have to sit around all day Thursday to see if he gets a chance to play. Plus, the fans are pouring through the gates, Trevor Immelman wants some silver hardware to go with his Green Jacket, and more.

Adam Scott, Anthony Kim or Justin Rose? How about Scott Verplank? Dozens of players look like real contenders this week, and the conditions will go a long way toward determining the winner.
Relentless wind is the real threat at Birkdale

In his daily blog, Mark O'Meara is finding Royal Birkdale much like it was when he won a decade ago, only tougher. He also explains what he loves about links golf, and how his game is shaping up.
O'Meara Blog Archive: Monday | Tuesday

Padraig Harrington hit shots without pain on the range Wednesday, but had to cut short another practice round as his right wrist continued to bother him after he injured it on Saturday.
Birkdale Notebook: Slocum faces long, uncertain wait

After a playoff loss at Carnoustie a year ago and a win last May at THE PLAYERS Championship, Sergio Garcia knows the time might be now for that first major win.
Course: Tour Royal Birkdale

While most everyone is looking to Sergio Garcia as the favorite in the 137th Open Championship, PGATOUR.COM's T.J. Auclair points to Australia's Geoff Ogilvy as the man to beat at Royal Birkdale.
Expert Picks: Feelin' the Serge at Birkdale

In an effort to improve his performance at the Open, Paul Casey took three weeks off from tournament play to get ready. He spent some quality time at Birkdale, and is raring to go.
Montgomerie happy to fly under the radar

After an inconsistent season, Colin Montgomerie is relieved that no one is playing up his chances this week. If he can make some putts, he believes, he can be in contention on Sunday.

When the schedule turns to the Open Championship, it's four days of must-see TV. You know how fantastic this one is, so there's no sales job needed. Let's get to the picks.
Form Chart: We assess the entire field

PGATOUR.com's Mark Spoor was wary when he found out that dinner Tuesday night called for Italian. But he soon found out it's no coincidence that Italy is closer to England than it is the United States.
Spoor Blog Archive: Monday | Tuesday

Having trouble picking the winner for this week's Open Championship. Not to worry, PGATOUR.COM's Mike McAllister has it all down to a science.

No one has more top-10s in the Open Championship this decade than Sergio Garcia. Could this week finally produce his long-awaited major championship breakthrough?

Tiger Woods' absence this week is a shame, says Doug Ferguson, but whoever wins the Claret Jug on Sunday will deserve to be ranked right alongside the game's other major winners.

No matter how many different ways the questions were asked, Phil Mickelson just couldn't bring himself to mention Tiger Woods when discussing the Open Championship on Tuesday.

Could Geoff Ogilvy be the next Australian to win at Birkdale? Plus, Sergio Garcia could cap off a great summer for Spain, Tom Watson raises money for ALS, and more.

The world's No. 1 player is not in attendance this week at Royal Birkdale. Still, Tiger Woods is casting quite a shadow.
Mickelson goes to great lengths to avoid 'T' word
No asterisk necessary for this Open Championship

Defending champ Padraig Harrington's injured right wrist was too tender for a full practice session on Tuesday.
Video: Open previews, interviews and more
Birkdale Notebook: Time for another major for Ogilvy?

PGATOUR.COM's Mark Spoor and friends didn't need a road map to locate the perfect place for a pint and some fun.
Spoor Blog Archive: Monday
History: Relive some of the Open's greatest memories

Jay Williamsonis loving every minute of his mad dash to Royal Birkdale for his first start in an Open Championship.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

In today's blog, Mark O'Meara discusses the condition of the course and his thoughts on rising star Anthony Kim.
O'Meara Blog Archive: Monday
Claret Jug: Learn about the Open's silver chalice

Just down the road from Royal Birkdale is Liverpool, where you can "Meet the Beatles" and take a magical mystery tour of one of England's most interesting cities.
Video: Open previews, interviews and more

Despite the fact that Americans historically have done well at Royal Birkdale, many of our experts are going with Spaniard Sergio Garcia to raise the Claret Jug on Sunday.

In the first installation of his daily blog, Mark O'Meara explains what his goals are as the returning champion.

The weather is forecast to be typically British this week, Martin Kaymer is dealing with his mother's recent death, Padraig Harrington extols the virtues of junior golf, and more.

If you hadn't heard the name Brian Watts before the 1998 Open at Birkdale, you sure knew it afterward.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

Tom Watson, who won here in 1983, looks back, looks ahead and looks around for someone to step up this week.
History: Relive some of the Open's greatest memories
Claret Jug: Learn about the Open's silver chalice

TNT analyst Ian Baker-Finch chats about winning at Birkdale, his infamous collapse and the state of his game.
The Field: See who's playing at Royal Birkdale
History: Check out the Open Championship records

Justin Rose's big finish here in '98 was amazing. It instantly made him famous, but also might've cost him dearly.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els have different ideas as to how history will remember the winner of this Tiger-less Open.
History: Relive some of the Open's greatest memories
Claret Jug: Learn about the Open's silver chalice

Kenny Perry and Shingo Katayama are skipping the Open, and R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson can't imagine why.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

Many decades before Pete Dye built what is considered the original stadium course at TPC Sawgrass, there was Royal Birkdale, site of the 137th Open Championship.

After finishing third at the U.S. Open, Lee Westwood returns to Birkdale feeling as good about his chances as ever.
History: Relive some of the Open's greatest memories
Claret Jug: Learn about the Open's silver chalice

Jean Van de Velde was the biggest name of 12 players to make it through a 36-hole last-chance qualifier that ended Tuesday.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate, Fredrik Jacobson and David Frost are the latest to pack their bags for Birkdale.
History: Relive some of the Open's greatest memories
Claret Jug: Learn about the Open's silver chalice

A pair of former PGA Championship winners highlighted the players punching their tickets at the final American qualifier.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

In the European qualifier, the news wasn't who succeeded but that Darren Clarke and Jose Maria Olazabal came up short.
History: Relive some of the Open's greatest memories
Claret Jug: Learn about the Open's silver chalice

Tiger Woods' recent knee surgery means the world No. 1 will miss a major championship for the first time in his sparkling career.
Great Triumvirate: The Open's legendary figures
Winners: Roll call of Open champions

The runners-up at the British Amateur and U.S. Amateur championships will have an easier road to Royal Birkdale, thanks to a series of amendments to the entry criteria for the 2008 Open Championship.

The R&A has announced ticket prices for the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, where Ireland's Padraig Harrington will be the defending champion.