The History of the British Open

Every year since 17 October 1860, The Open Championship, otherwise called the British Open, is held in one of nine historic links courses in the United Kingdom. The British Open is one of the four golf major championships and is the oldest of the four majors. It is unique amongst the majors as it features a four hole playoff for golfers tied at the end of regulation, with a playoff continuing into sudden death holes if there is still a tie after the four holes.

There are currently nine golf courses that host the British Open on a rotational basis. The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, Muirfield, The Westin Turnberry Resort, Royal Troon Golf Club, Royal St. George Golf Club, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, and the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, are the nine courses. The first British Open was held at Prestwick Golf Club but the founder club was dropped from the rotation in 1925.

The original trophy presented to Willie Park Senior in the first Open Championship in 1860, was a red leather belt with a silver buckle called the Champion’s Belt. There was no price money at that time and he would have been shocked to find that the present British Open champion prize fund is $ 8.7 million.

The first British Open prize fund was 10 pounds shared amongst the second, third and fourth placed in 1863. The champion got no money but kept the Champion’s Belt for a year. It was not until 1864 when Tom Morris Senior won the first champion’s cash prize of six pounds. Tom Morris Junior kept the Champion’s belt for good for winning the tournament for three years in a row in 1870. The Claret Jug or The Golf Champion Trophy was the replacement and is still in use.

Since its inception the British Open has been held every year without fail. The only exceptions were in 1871 and the world wars. The oldest winner in the tournament has been Old Tom Morris at 46 yrs 99 days in 1867 while the youngest is Young Tom Morris at 17 yrs 181 days, in 1868. Harry Vardon has won 6 times to lead in the number of victories in the championship.

A lot of records have been set in the British Open over the years with probably the most remarkable being the Tiger Woods performance in 2000 when he won with the lowest 72 hole score in relation to par with a 19 under par.

Jack Nicklaus is credited with making the British Open popular especially in the USA and in 1995; The Open became part of the PGA official schedule. The European Tour as well as the Japan Golf Tour also reflects this in their official tour schedules.

Over the years the tour has attracted some of golf’s best players and best memories. With the addition of more prize money, the British Open is bound to become the premier golf open championship for a long time and keep in its tradition of introducing great new golfing talent to the world.

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