The Open Championship: A Rich History of Golf’s Oldest Major

Origins and Early Years (1860–1890s)

The Open Championship, commonly referred to as The Open or The British Open, is the oldest major championship in golf, first played on October 17, 1860, at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. It was established to determine the successor to Allan Robertson, considered the best golfer of the era, after his death in 1859.

• The inaugural event was contested by eight professional golfers, with Willie Park Sr. defeating Old Tom Morris by two strokes to win the Challenge Belt, a red Moroccan leather belt.

From 1860 to 1870, the winner was awarded the Challenge Belt. However, when Young Tom Morris won three consecutive Opens (1868–1870), he was allowed to keep the belt permanently, prompting a pause in the event in 1871.

The tournament resumed in 1872 with a new prize: the now-iconic Claret Jug, formally known as the Golf Champion Trophy. Young Tom was again the champion, becoming the first to have his name engraved on the new tropby.

Establishing Prestige (1890s–1930s)

By the 1890s, the Open began rotating among several courses and gradually invited amateur and international players, notably from the U.S.

Harry Vardon, one of the original “Great Triumvirate” (along with J.H. Taylor and James Braid), won six Open Championships (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914)—a record that still stands.

• The Triumvirate dominated the tournament from 1894 to 1914, combining for 16 wins during that stretch.

The Open was suspended during World War I (1915–1919) and again during World War II (1940–1945).

The American Invasion (1920s–1940s)

American golfers began to make a strong impact in the interwar years:

• Walter Hagen won in 1922 and again in 1924, ushering in an era of increased American competitiveness.

• Bobby Jones, a legendary amateur, won three Opens (1926, 1927, 1930), the last of which was part of his famed Grand Slam (winning all four major amateur and professional championships in a single year).

Jones’ 1930 win at Royal Liverpool drew massive crowds and solidified the Open’s status as a global event.

Post-War to Modern Era (1946–1990s)

After WWII, the tournament resumed with growing prestige and better course conditions. Key moments include:

Ben Hogan’s only Open appearance in 1953 at Carnoustie, which he won. His preparation and success remain legendary.

• Peter Thomson of Australia dominated the 1950s, winning five times (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965).

• Arnold Palmer revitalized American interest in the Open by winning in 1961 and 1962, helping to bring the event to a wider global audience.

• Jack Nicklaus, while often just missing out, won three times (1966, 1970, 1978), and holds the record for the most second-place finishes (7).

In the 1970s and 1980s:

• Tom Watson emerged as a dominant force, winning five times (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983).

• The 1977 Duel in the Sun at Turnberry between Watson and Nicklaus remains one of golf’s most iconic head-to-head showdowns.

• Seve Ballesteros became the face of European flair and creativity, winning three Opens (1979, 1984, 1988).

Tiger, Technology & the Modern Game (1990s–2020s)

Nick Faldo won three Opens (1987, 1990, 1992), marking a golden era for British golf.

• In 1995, John Daly’s playoff win at St Andrews brought unexpected drama.

• Tiger Woods dominated the early 2000s, winning in 2000, 2005, and 2006, with the 2000 victory at St Andrews completing his career Grand Slam at age 24.

The Open continued to rotate among classic courses like:

St Andrews (The Old Course – golf’s spiritual home),

• Carnoustie (famously tough),

• Muirfield,

• Royal Troon,

• Royal St George’s,

• and Royal Portrush, which returned in 2019 after a 68-year absence.

Recent champions include:

• Rory McIlroy (2014, Royal Liverpool),

• Jordan Spieth (2017, Royal Birkdale),

• Francesco Molinari (2018, Carnoustie – first Italian major winner),

• Shane Lowry (2019, Royal Portrush),

• Cameron Smith (2022, St Andrews),

• Brian Harman (2023, Royal Liverpool – a dominant wire-to-wire victory).

Tradition and Identity

The Open is distinct from other majors for several reasons:

• Links golf courses, often on the coast, with wind, firm fairways, deep bunkers, and variable weather.

• No other major uses double greens, burns (water hazards), or gorse in the same way.

• The winner receives the Claret Jug and is declared “The Champion Golfer of the Year.”

• It is administered by The R&A, based in St Andrews.

Looking Ahead

As of 2025, The Open continues to balance historic reverence with modern spectacle. It is not only the final major of the year but also a test of pure golf skill—where weather, terrain, and patience play pivotal roles.

With Royal Portrush, Royal Liverpool, and St Andrews returning to the rota, and new global stars emerging, the Open Championship remains a living bridge between the roots of golf and its global future.