The Open Championship

The Open Championship
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Name	The Open Championship
Founded	1860
Course	Various
Par	70–72
Tour	PGA Tour, European Tour
Format	Stroke play
Purse	$16,500,000 (2023)
Month played	July

The Open Championship. Often referred to simply as The Open, it is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. First contested in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, it is administered by The R&A and is steeped in tradition, including the iconic winner's trophy, the Claret Jug. Held annually on a rotating basis on coastal links courses in the United Kingdom, it is renowned for its challenging conditions and deep historical significance in the sport.

History

The inaugural competition was held in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club and was won by Willie Park Sr., with the early years dominated by Scottish professionals like Tom Morris Sr. and his son, Tom Morris Jr.. The championship was originally a 36-hole competition but evolved into a 72-hole event by 1892, with the Claret Jug becoming the permanent trophy in 1872. Key moments in its history include the formation of The R&A as its governing body, the expansion to include English venues like Royal St George's Golf Club, and the post-World War II era where it gained global prominence through television broadcasts and international winners. The modern era has seen the championship become a cornerstone of the PGA Tour and European Tour schedules, with its status as a major cemented by legendary performances at venues like the Old Course at St Andrews.

Format

The competition is a 72-hole stroke play event held over four days, typically from Thursday to Sunday, with a cut after 36 holes that reduces the field. Qualification is achieved through various exemption categories, including past champions, high finishes in other major championships like The Masters and the PGA Championship, and performances on tours worldwide, alongside final qualifying events held at local courses. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a four-hole aggregate playoff is used, a format introduced in 1989 that replaced an 18-hole playoff; if still tied, sudden death ensues. The champion receives the Claret Jug, a gold medal, and the title of "Champion Golfer of the Year," along with a significant share of the purse and exemptions into other majors.

Venues

The championship is exclusively played on links courses, characterized by their coastal locations, firm turf, deep bunkers, and unpredictable weather, with all current venues located in Scotland and England. The roster of courses rotates, with the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland, known as the "Home of Golf," hosting the most frequently, followed by other historic venues like Muirfield, Royal Troon Golf Club, and Carnoustie Golf Links. Other courses in the rotation include Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, and Turnberry (golf course), though the latter has not been used since 2009. This rotation ensures a variety of challenges, with each course presenting unique hazards, such as the infamous "Road Hole" at St Andrews or the "Postage Stamp" at Royal Troon Golf Club.

Records and statistics

Harry Vardon holds the record for most victories with six wins between 1896 and 1914, while Tom Morris Sr., J.H. Taylor, James Braid, and Peter Thomson have each won five times. The lowest 72-hole score is 264, set by Cameron Smith at the Old Course at St Andrews in 2022, and the lowest single-round score is 62, shot by Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in 2017. Notable streaks include the "Great Triumvirate" of Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor, and James Braid winning 16 of 21 championships between 1894 and 1914, and Tom Morris Jr. remaining the youngest winner at age 17 since 1868. The oldest champion is Tom Morris Sr., who won in 1867 at age 46.

Notable champions

The list of winners includes foundational figures of the sport such as Tom Morris Sr., his son Tom Morris Jr., and the members of the "Great Triumvirate": Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor, and James Braid. American dominance in the post-war era was led by players like Arnold Palmer, who helped revitalize international interest, Jack Nicklaus, who won three times, and Tiger Woods, a three-time champion. Other iconic international winners include Gary Player of South Africa, Seve Ballesteros of Spain, Nick Faldo of England, and Greg Norman of Australia. Recent champions who have defined the modern game include Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Collin Morikawa, each adding their names to the historic roll call.

Category:Golf tournaments Category:Majors in men's golf Category:Sports competitions in the United Kingdom