An Introduction to The Open

The Open, often referred to as The British Open, is the greatest golf tournament of all with the first championship being held at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1860. The following eleven championships were also staged at Prestwick until 1873 when St Andrews played host. Over the years a number of the other great links courses in the UK have been added to The Open circuit such as Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale and Turnberry to name a few.

Up until 1870, golfers used to play for “The Belt” until it was won by Tom Morris Jnr in three consecutive years from 1868 – 1870 and therefore The Belt became his property. Now it is the famous Claret Jug that golfers from all over the world strive to get their hands on and achieve their lifetime dream of becoming The Open Champion.