The Open Championship - History, Venues and Complete Guide

The Open Championship stands as golf's oldest and most prestigious tournament, representing the sport's return to its birthplace and most traditional form. First played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, The Open - often called the British Open in America - remains the ultimate test of links golf, where wind, weather and bouncing balls separate champions from contenders.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about The Open Championship - its rich history, unique characteristics, famous venues and what makes it the most coveted title in professional golf.

History and Origins of The Open Championship

The first Open Championship was held on 17 October 1860 at the 12-hole Prestwick Golf Club. Eight professionals competed for a red leather belt worth £25, with Willie Park Sr of Musselburgh claiming victory. The tournament was established to determine "the Champion Golfer of the Year" - a title still awarded to the winner today.

In 1861, the championship was opened to amateurs for the first time, earning its "Open" designation. Young Tom Morris dominated the early years, winning four consecutive titles from 1868-1872 before tragically dying at just 24 years old. His legacy helped establish The Open as golf's premier championship.

The modern era began in 1873 with the introduction of the Claret Jug, the iconic trophy that remains one of sport's most recognisable symbols. The championship grew in stature through the decades, attracting the world's best golfers and cementing its position as the ultimate prize in professional golf.

The Claret Jug - Golf's Most Iconic Trophy

The Claret Jug, properly known as the Golf Champion Trophy, has been awarded to Open champions since 1873. Made of silver and standing 27.5cm tall, the jug bears the names of every champion etched into its surface - a permanent record of golf's greatest achievements.

Winners receive a replica to keep, whilst the original remains in the care of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The tradition of the champion raising the Claret Jug at the 18th green has become one of golf's most iconic moments, representing the culmination of a lifelong dream for every professional golfer.

The trophy's simple elegance reflects the understated nature of The Open itself - no flashy ceremonies or elaborate presentations, just pure golfing heritage and the weight of 160 years of history.

Links Golf - The Ultimate Test

The Open Championship is played exclusively on links courses - traditional seaside layouts that represent golf in its purest form. Links golf demands a different skill set from the manicured parkland courses that dominate professional golf:

Course Characteristics

• Firm, fast surfaces - the ball runs considerably further than on soft courses, requiring precise calculation and course management
• Natural hazards - pot bunkers, gorse bushes and undulating fairways create unpredictable lies
• Minimal rough - instead of thick grass, links courses feature wispy fescue that allows for recovery shots
• Elevated tees and greens - built on natural dune formations, creating blind shots and demanding approaches

Weather as the Ultimate Factor

Links courses sit beside the sea, exposing them to constantly changing weather conditions. Wind speeds can vary dramatically throughout a round, making club selection a moving target. Rain squalls can soak players in minutes, whilst sunshine can firm up greens within hours.

The greatest Open champions have mastered the art of playing "bump and run" shots, using the firm turf to bounce balls onto greens rather than flying them all the way. This ground game separates links golf from any other form of professional golf.

The Championship Venues

The Open rotates among nine approved links courses, each with its own character and challenges. Every venue on the rota has hosted multiple championships and produced memorable moments.

St Andrews Old Course

The home of golf hosts The Open every five years, making it the most regular venue on the rota. The Old Course's wide fairways appear deceptively easy, but its massive greens, deep bunkers and unpredictable bounces create endless strategic options.

Notable features include the famous Swilcan Bridge, the Road Hole 17th (one of the hardest par 4s in golf) and the massive double greens that serve multiple holes. No golfer's career is complete without conquering St Andrews.

Royal Birkdale

Located in Southport, England, Royal Birkdale has produced some of The Open's most dramatic finishes. The course plays through towering sand dunes, creating natural amphitheatres that amplify the atmosphere.

Royal Birkdale has witnessed historic victories by Arnold Palmer (1961), Johnny Miller (1976) and Padraig Harrington (2008), plus Tiger Woods's emotional return to major championship golf in 2019.

Carnoustie Golf Links

Known as "Car-nasty" for its brutal difficulty, Carnoustie in Scotland is the toughest test on The Open rota. The course features narrow fairways, thick rough and the treacherous Barry Burn that snakes through multiple holes.

Jean van de Velde's infamous collapse on the 72nd hole in 1999 - when he needed only a double bogey to win but took triple bogey to force a playoff - remains one of sport's most dramatic moments.

Royal St George's

The only English course currently on the rota, Royal St George's in Kent features blind shots, undulating fairways and deep pot bunkers that can end careers. The course demands precise course management and punishes even slight mistakes.

Darren Clarke's emotional victory in 2011, just weeks after his wife's death from cancer, showcased the course's ability to produce compelling human stories alongside great golf.

Royal Troon

This Scottish links alternates between Old and New courses for The Open, with the Old Course providing the championship test. The course features a challenging stretch from holes 8-11 known as the "Coffin Corner."

Henrik Stenson's record-breaking performance in 2016 - when he shot a final-round 63 to beat Phil Mickelson - produced one of The Open's greatest head-to-head battles.

Muirfield

Located in East Lothian, Scotland, Muirfield is considered by many professionals as the fairest test in golf. The course features two loops of nine holes, with the wind direction affecting each loop differently.

Muirfield's strategic design rewards precision and course management over pure distance, making it a favourite among purists. The course has produced champions across every era of professional golf.

Royal Liverpool (Hoylake)

Set on the Wirral Peninsula, Royal Liverpool has hosted The Open since 1897. The course features internal out-of-bounds areas and firm, fast conditions that create difficult approach shots.

Tiger Woods's masterful strategic performance in 2006 - where he barely used his driver yet dominated the field - demonstrated how course management can overcome raw distance.

Royal Lytham & St Annes

This English course features a railway line running along one side and numerous deep bunkers protecting small greens. The course requires exceptional precision with approach shots and sophisticated short-game skills.

Seve Ballesteros's creative recovery shot from the car park at the 16th hole in 1979 remains one of The Open's most famous moments, showcasing the Spanish genius at his most inventive.

Royal Portrush

The only Open venue outside England and Scotland, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland returned to the rota in 2019 after 68 years. The course features spectacular clifftop holes and challenging wind conditions.

Shane Lowry's dominant victory in 2019, cheered on by passionate Irish crowds, showed how The Open can create special moments when the right player wins at the right venue.

Open Championship Format and Qualification

The Open Championship follows a traditional four-round stroke play format, but its qualification process is uniquely democratic compared to other majors.

Qualification Routes

• The Open Qualifying Series - regional qualifying events held at courses across the UK, giving any professional or amateur golfer a chance to qualify
• Exemption categories - past champions, major winners, top world rankings and leading players from various tours earn automatic entry
• Final Qualifying - four 36-hole events held at courses near the championship venue, with the lowest scorers earning the final spots
• International qualifying - events in Asia, America and other regions provide pathways for global players

This qualification system maintains The Open's connection to golf's grassroots whilst ensuring the world's best players compete for the Claret Jug.

Championship Format

The Open uses a standard 72-hole stroke play format with a 36-hole cut. However, several factors make it unique among majors:

• Morning and afternoon waves - players start from both the 1st and 10th tees to complete rounds before weather deteriorates
• Weather delays - high winds frequently halt play, with the championship extending to Monday if necessary
• Local knowledge - caddies familiar with links conditions become invaluable assets
• Equipment adjustments - players modify their setups specifically for firm, fast conditions and unpredictable weather

Notable Open Championship Records and Moments

The Open's long history has produced countless memorable moments and record performances:

Scoring Records

• Lowest 72-hole total: 264 (-20) by Henrik Stenson at Royal Troon in 2016
• Lowest single round: 63, achieved by multiple players including Johnny Miller, Greg Norman and Rory McIlroy
• Largest victory margin: 13 strokes by Tiger Woods at St Andrews in 2000
• Most consecutive rounds in the 60s: 7 by Louis Oosthuizen across 2010-2011

Historic Achievements

• Most Open victories: Harry Vardon (6), followed by J.H. Taylor, James Braid, Peter Thomson and Tom Watson (5 each)
• Oldest champion: Tom Morris Sr (46 years, 99 days in 1867)
• Youngest champion: Young Tom Morris (17 years, 5 months in 1868)
• Amateur champions: Only 3 amateurs have won since 1860, the last being Bobby Jones in 1930

Legendary Moments

• Seve's car park shot (1979) - Ballesteros's creative recovery at Royal Lytham defined imaginative golf
• Watson vs Nicklaus (1977) - Their head-to-head battle at Turnberry is considered golf's greatest duel
• Tiger's St Andrews dominance (2000, 2005) - Woods's strategic mastery of the Old Course
• Jean van de Velde's collapse (1999) - One of sport's most dramatic final-hole disasters

Modern Champions and Storylines

Recent Open Championships have produced compelling storylines that showcase the event's unique ability to crown unexpected champions:

International Champions

The Open's global appeal has attracted winners from every continent:

• Rory McIlroy - The Northern Irishman's wire-to-wire victory at Royal Liverpool in 2014 announced his arrival as a major champion
• Francesco Molinari - Italy's first major champion won at Carnoustie in 2018 with flawless final-round golf
• Shane Lowry - Ireland's emotional champion at Royal Portrush in 2019, carried by passionate home support

Veteran Victories

The Open has a unique tradition of rewarding experienced players:

• Phil Mickelson (2013) - Won his first Open at age 43, completing his major championship collection
• Darren Clarke (2011) - Northern Ireland's emotional champion at Royal St George's
• Louis Oosthuizen (2010) - South Africa's smooth swinger dominated at St Andrews

The Open and World Golf Rankings

The Open Championship awards significant Official World Golf Ranking points, making it crucial for players seeking to climb the rankings. The winner typically receives enough points to vault into the world's top 10, whilst high finishes provide valuable ranking boosts.

The championship also serves as a major qualifying event for other tournaments, with top finishers earning exemptions into PGA Tour events and other major championships.

Following The Open Championship Live

The Open Championship provides golf's most atmospheric viewing, with dramatic weather, passionate crowds and links golf creating unique television. With GolfMode, you can:

• Track every player's score hole by hole across the challenging links layout
• Follow weather updates and their impact on course conditions
• Get notifications for dramatic momentum swings and leaderboard changes
• Compare player statistics on firm, fast links conditions versus regular tour events

The championship's position as the final major of the year adds extra significance to every shot, making live tracking especially compelling.

The Open's Cultural Impact

Beyond its sporting significance, The Open Championship represents golf's cultural heritage:

• Scottish traditions - bagpipe players, local customs and historic clubhouses maintain the sport's roots
• Royal patronage - The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews oversees the championship with ceremonial dignity
• Media coverage - The Open receives global television coverage, introducing millions to links golf and Scottish culture
• Economic impact - The championship generates significant tourism and economic benefits for host communities

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is The Open Championship called the British Open?

The tournament is officially called The Open Championship, as it was the first "open" championship in golf. Americans often call it the British Open to distinguish it from the U.S. Open, but this term is not used in the UK or by the governing body.

How many courses host The Open Championship?

The Open rotates among nine approved links courses: St Andrews Old Course, Royal Birkdale, Carnoustie, Royal St George's, Royal Troon, Muirfield, Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St Annes and Royal Portrush.

What makes links golf different from regular golf?

Links courses feature firm, fast turf, natural hazards, minimal rough and constant wind. Players must master bump-and-run shots and adapt to changing conditions, making it golf's most traditional form.

Can amateur golfers qualify for The Open Championship?

Yes. The Open has the most open qualification system of any major, with regional qualifying events allowing any golfer with a handicap of scratch or better to attempt to qualify.

Why is The Open Championship considered the most prestigious major?

As golf's oldest major championship, played on the sport's birthplace courses in its most traditional form, The Open represents golf's ultimate test. The Claret Jug is considered the most coveted prize in professional golf.

What is the prize money at The Open Championship?

The Open Championship purse has grown significantly, with the total prize fund exceeding £8 million. The champion receives around £2 million plus the priceless Claret Jug and five-year exemptions into major championships.

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