Billy Horschel has questioned the R&A’s decision to stop using designated bunker rakers during this year’s Open Championship.
In previous years, each group had its own volunteer bunker raker to help out players and caddies as well as to improve pace of play, as organized by BIGGA – the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association.
It’s something that R&A CEO Mark Darbon was asked about in his pre-tournament press conference, where he confirmed that players and caddies would be raking their own bunkers this week at Royal Portrush.
“No, I think this week we’ve got the caddies raking the bunkers. It’s a change for us but we think a good one,” Darbon explained.
He said the decision was made due to “a number of factors” and added that “we just think it’s a good model for us here at Portrush.”
Players and caddies will be raking their own bunkers this week
(Image credit: Getty Images)
It is a move that some may well believe could impact pace of play this week as the cumulative total time it takes to rake the bunkers after every single visit may well cause a few waits and add minutes onto rounds.
Billy Horschel – one of the big names missing The Open this year due to injury – was surprised to hear the news and made his feelings clear on X.
“No designated bunker rakers this week is such a disappointment,” last year’s runner-up wrote on social media.
“I know the caddies love them, as well as the players. Very odd decision by the @TheOpen not to have them.”
No designated bunker rakers this week is such a disappointment. I know the caddies love them, as well as the players. Very odd decision by the @TheOpen not to have them. @RandA https://t.co/9kGKg6lwrXJuly 16, 2025
BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton told Golf Monthly that the bunker rakers were a “unique” part of Major Championship golf and confirmed that the decision to remove them was made last year by the R&A.
“BIGGA was proud to support The Open Championship, the world’s greatest golf tournament, for several decades by providing a volunteer Open Support Team of greenkeepers,” Croxton said.
“For many years, this team supported the home greenkeeping team in a variety of ways, as well as providing an individual greenkeeper to walk with each match and rake bunkers during play. This provision was unique in the world of…
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