ISPS HANDA Ambassadors Thomas Bjørn, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie are the latest star names confirmed for the 2025 ISPS HANDA Senior Open, which will return to the Old Course at Sunningdale this summer from July 23-27.
The trio join three-time Major Champion and fellow ISPS HANDA Ambassador Pádraig Harrington in the field, which will include a host of Major winners, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players and former champions from the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR.
ISPS HANDA, founded by the Japanese philanthropist Dr. Haruhisa Handa, was recently announced as the neThe 2025 ISPS HANDA Senior Open will welcome a stellar lineup to the Old Course at Sunningdale from July 23–27, with legendary names like Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Bjørn, and Pádraig Harrington confirmed to compete.
This prestigious over-50s Major returns to Sunningdale for the fourth time, with ISPS HANDA—founded by Japanese philanthropist Dr. Haruhisa Handa—serving as the new Title Partner. Known for promoting the power of sport to unite global communities, ISPS HANDA’s expanded role strengthens its long-standing support for golf.
Colin Montgomerie, a Ryder Cup-winning captain and eight-time European No.1, brings his proven pedigree with 13 over-50s titles, including three Senior Majors. “The Old Course at Sunningdale is an excellent test,” said Montgomerie. “UK fans are in for a treat.”
Ernie Els, a four-time Major winner and former World No.1, returns after debuting at Sunningdale in 2021 with a T8 finish. “Sunningdale is an incredible venue,” said Els. “Winning here, near my home at Wentworth, would be special.”
Thomas Bjørn, Denmark’s most successful golfer and victorious 2018 Ryder Cup captain, adds depth to the field. “The standard at the Senior Open is so high—you need to be at your best,” Bjørn noted.
Joining them is Pádraig Harrington, who has come close in recent editions with three top-five finishes. “Sunningdale provides a real championship test, and I’m eager to be in the mix again,” said the Irishman.
The 2025 edition promises high-level competition, featuring Major winners, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup legends, and DP World Tour and PGA TOUR greats.
w title partner of The Senior Open. The organisation is a long-term partner of professional and amateur golf, promoting the ethos that sport has the power to unite and inspire communities around the world.
Sunningdale will host the ISPS HANDA Senior Open for the fourth time in its history, following on from the 2009, 2015 and 2021 editions.
Montgomerie was the dominant force in European golf during the 1990s, winning a record seven consecutive Order of Merits from 1993 to 1999 and then adding an eighth in 2005. The Scotsman made eight appearances in the Ryder Cup and captained Europe to victory at Celtic Manor in 2010. He won 31 times on the DP World Tour and has 13 over-50s titles, including three Senior Major Championships.
“The Old Course at Sunningdale is an excellent test of golf and we are all looking forward to returning there later this year,” said Montgomerie. “It’s always a pleasure playing in front of fans in the United Kingdom and they are in for a real treat this summer. The standard of golf in the over-50s game is so high, so the stage is set for a special week.”
Former World Number One and four-time Major Champion Els made his Senior Open debut at Sunningdale in 2021, finishing in a share of eighth. Els made eight appearances for the International side at the Presidents Cup and captained the team in 2019. The South African has won seven times on PGA TOUR Champions, including his first Senior Major victory at last year’s Kaulig Companies Championship.
“I’m really excited for this year’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open,” said Els. “Sunningdale is an incredible venue and it would mean a lot to me to get a win so close to my home at Wentworth. My game is in good shape, and I hope to carry that form into the Senior Open in July.”
Bjørn is Denmark’s most successful golfer in history, winning 15 times on the DP World Tour and captaining Europe to a victory at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National. He also made three appearances in golf’s greatest team contest, being a member of the winning side on each occasion. The 54-year-old is a regular fixture on PGA TOUR Champions and has recorded 11 top ten finishes in the United States since the start of last season.
“It’s great having ISPS HANDA on board as Title Partner of this wonderful Championship,” said Bjørn. “I’ve only had the chance to play in The Senior Open a couple of times, but the standard is so high, you really have to be on your game to compete at this level.”
Three-time Major Champion Harrington, who won The Open in 2007 and 2008 and the US PGA Championship in 2008, has finished inside the top five in three appearances at the Senior Open. He was runner-up on his first two appearances and finished fifth at Carnoustie last year.
“Sunningdale is a fantastic golf course and I’m looking forward to seeing the challenge it presents us with a Senior Open setup,” said Harrington. “I’ve had a few close calls in this Championship so far and would love to be in contention again going down the stretch.”
About the ISPS HANDA Senior Open
The ISPS HANDA Senior Open will take place at Sunningdale for the fourth time as the iconic Berkshire venue hosts Europe’s only Senior Major Championship from July 24-27, 2025.
Sunningdale previously hosted the Championship in 2009, 2015 and 2021, with Loren Roberts, Marco Dawson and Stephen Dodd winning the Senior Open trophy on those occasions.
The 2024 Senior Open saw K.J. Choi make history as the first South Korean to win a men’s Senior Major Championship, finishing two strokes ahead of Australia’s Richard Green.
Bernhard Langer became the first golfer in history to win The Senior Open four times with his victory in 2019 at Royal Lytham & St Annes – moving ahead of Gary Player and Tom Watson with whom he previously shared three wins. The German also broke his own record of Senior Major Championship victories – securing his 11th at Royal Lytham & St Annes and since adding a 12th at the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.
The Senior Open was introduced in 1987 at Turnberry in Ayrshire when Neil Coles, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Tour group, won the inaugural title. This led, two years later, to the formal inception of what is now the Legends Tour. It has since been held at some of the United Kingdom’s most historic and renowned venues, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal County Down, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale, Royal Portrush and Royal Lytham & St Annes.
About ISPS HANDA
ISPS Handa was founded by Dr Haruhisa Handa in 2006 to further the transformative power of sport across the globe. ISPS HANDA funds and promotes sporting events in archery, bowling, boxing, football, golf, polo, rowing, rugby and swimming with an emphasis on blind and disabled golf. Dr Handa’s philanthropic work extends to communities around the world, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, providing opportunities and support to causes and communities.
‘‘We believe that sport has a unique ability to create hope, to break down educational and cultural barriers and to inspire people in a way that can unite communities around the world. ISPS HANDA’s support for golf stems from a firm belief in the power of sport.”
About the Legends Tour
Formerly known as the European Senior Tour and the Staysure Tour, the Legends Tour is the men’s professional golf tour for members aged 50 and older. Created in 1992, the Legends Tour’s active membership features many of the pioneering champions who played on the European Tour during the 1970s, 80s, 90s and beyond. Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam are among the winners of the John Jacobs Trophy, which is awarded to the golfer who finishes first on the Legends Tour Order of Merit.
In September 2020, Ryan Howsam, Staysure Group CEO, acquired a majority equity share in the Tour in a ground-breaking joint venture with the European Tour, a unique structure whereby an individual has the majority ownership in a professional tour. The Legends Tour provides unmatched playing experiences for amateur golfers at its Legends Experience, Championship Pro-Am and Celebrity Pro-Am events. These experiences provide golfers with unique opportunities to rub shoulders with and play alongside legends of the game at competitive events hosted at world-class golfing destinations.
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
