In the world of golf, no tournament carries the gravitas or time-honoured tradition quite like The Open Championship. Known simply as “The Open,” it is the oldest golf tournament in the world, first contested in 1860 on the rugged links of Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland — the birthplace of golf itself. More than a sporting event, The Open is a cultural institution, an annual pilgrimage for the world’s greatest golfers to test their mettle against the game’s purest form — golf as it was meant to be played.
The Dawn of Championship Golf
The origins of The Open trace back to a time when golf was evolving from a local pastime to a structured sport. In the mid-19th century, following the death of Allan Robertson — recognised as golf’s first professional — a group of golfers convened to crown a new champion. On October 17, 1860, eight professionals competed over three rounds of 12 holes at Prestwick. The winner, Willie Park Sr., claimed the title and a red leather belt with a silver buckle — the Challenge Belt — as the prize.
By 1873, the belt was replaced with the now iconic Claret Jug, officially known as the Golf Champion Trophy, first awarded to Tom Kidd. That trophy has since become one of the most coveted prizes in sport, engraved with legends from every era of golf.
The Cradle of Golf: Scotland and Northern England
To understand The Open is to understand links golf and the rugged coastal landscapes of Scotland and England, where the game was born and where it is still played in its purest form. “Links” refers to the sandy, undulating terrain between the land and the sea, wind-battered, dune-swept, and often treeless. These courses were not created but discovered, shaped by nature over millennia.
Each course on the rota offers not only a stern test of golf but also a window into British history. St Andrews dates back to the 15th century and sits in a medieval university town. Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, added back to the rota in 2019 after nearly 70 years, showcases the global reach and emotional pull of the championship.
Shaping Legends, Defining Eras
The Open has played host to nearly every pivotal figure in golf history. From Old Tom Morris, who won four times between 1861 and 1867, to Harry Vardon, whose six victories remain unmatched, the tournament has always defined greatness.
In the modern era, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy have all left their marks on its windswept fairways. Perhaps no moment stands taller than Watson’s 1977 Duel in the Sun at Turnberry against Nicklaus, a final-round shootout etched into golfing folklore.
The Open is also remembered for heartbreak and heroism — Jean van de Velde’s collapse at Carnoustie in 1999, Ben Curtis’s shock win in 2003, or Shane Lowry’s emotional triumph in front of roaring Irish crowds at Royal Portrush in 2019.
An International Stage on Historic Soil
Unlike other majors, The Open remains truly international in spirit but deeply local in character. It brings together fans from every continent to the UK’s remote links towns, injecting life, tourism, and global attention into these small communities.
For locals, The Open is more than a tournament — it’s a cultural event. Towns like Troon, St Andrews, or Sandwich burst into colour during championship week, with pubs packed, seaside shops bustling, and the air electric with anticipation. Visitors are often struck not only by the golf but by the hospitality, tradition, and sense of place that surrounds it all.
Beyond the Fairways
The Open’s host regions are steeped in history beyond golf. St Andrews, for instance, was once the religious capital of Scotland and home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1413. The surrounding Kingdom of Fife is rich in medieval castles, fishing villages, and rugged coastline. Down south, Royal St George’s in Kent sits near the White Cliffs of Dover and within reach of Roman ruins, Tudor castles, and World War II landmarks.
When The Open comes to town, it invites the world not only to see great golf but to explore centuries of heritage in the cradle of the sport.
A Living Legacy
What makes The Open endure isn’t just its age or prestige. It’s the way it connects generations. Children watch their heroes walk the same fairways as Old Tom Morris. Amateurs dream of qualifying for a spot beside the giants of the game. The weather may change, the technology may evolve, but The Open remains golf in its most elemental form — a battle against the course, the wind, and oneself.
Each July, as the world tunes in to watch champions rise and fall among the dunes and the gorse, The Open reminds us of golf’s enduring soul. Rooted in history, framed by stunning natural beauty, and carried by a spirit of fierce integrity, The Open Championship is more than just a tournament — it’s a celebration of everything that makes golf eternal.
