The Open Championship—often called The Open—is golf’s oldest major championship. First played in 1860 at Prestwick in Scotland, it is organised by The R&A and is celebrated for its links venues, changeable weather, ground game and the famous Claret Jug presented to the Champion Golfer of the Year.
The story that defines this major
At Royal Birkdale in 2026, Ryan Fox birdied the 72nd hole to lift the Claret Jug by a single stroke.
THE LINKS TEST
How to read a links course
Use the ground
Firm turf can reward a low-running shot that chases towards the green instead of flying straight at the flag.
Plan for the wind
Coastal weather changes the shape of a hole; a conservative target can be smarter than a perfect-looking line.
Respect the bunkers
Deep, steep-faced pot bunkers are hazards to avoid rather than places from which to chase a heroic recovery.
At a glance
The oldest major in golf
The first Open was played at Prestwick in 1860, with professional golfers competing for the Challenge Belt. The Claret Jug became the championship’s lasting trophy in the 1870s. As the tournament moved among courses including St Andrews, Musselburgh and later the leading Open venues, it became an annual test that linked golf’s early professionals with the modern game.
The Open’s long history gives it a special place in golf culture. Generations of champions have faced the same basic challenge—adapt to the ground and weather, make sound decisions and score under pressure—even as equipment, preparation and athletic standards have changed dramatically.
What makes The Open unique?
Links golf rewards creativity. Firm turf can allow a ball to run along the ground, while pot bunkers, dunes, rough and exposed greens can punish a poorly judged line. Wind direction changes the playing strategy from one day to the next, so golfers often need to flight the ball lower, use the contours and think beyond a conventional aerial approach.
The event’s rotating venues are part of its identity. St Andrews is the most famous host, but Royal Birkdale, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Royal Portrush and other courses have created their own Open histories. The exact venue affects strategy, conditions and the stories that emerge.
Defining chapters in Open history
- The inaugural Open is played at Prestwick in Scotland.
- The Claret Jug becomes the championship’s enduring trophy.
- Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus produce the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ at Turnberry.
- Seve Ballesteros wins at St Andrews with a performance that becomes part of Open folklore.
- Tiger Woods wins at St Andrews, mastering the Old Course in changing conditions.
- Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson stage a memorable final-round duel at Royal Troon.
- Cameron Smith wins at St Andrews with a brilliant closing round.
- Ryan Fox wins at Royal Birkdale with a birdie on the 72nd hole.
Competition format and the Claret Jug
The Open is played over 72 holes of stroke play across four rounds. A 36-hole cut determines who continues into the weekend, and the lowest total wins. A tie for first is resolved through the championship’s playoff procedure. Field criteria and qualifying arrangements depend on the edition and are published by the organisers.
The winner receives the Claret Jug and the title Champion Golfer of the Year. The trophy connects today’s champion with a long chain of winners, from the game’s pioneers to modern major champions.
Memorable moments and recent champions
Open history includes Tom Watson’s duels with Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros’s charismatic success at St Andrews in 1984, the 1999 comeback by Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie, and Henrik Stenson’s record-setting final-round duel with Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon in 2016. These stories show how the Open can reward different forms of skill, from patient links strategy to exceptional iron play and putting.
In 2026, Ryan Fox won at Royal Birkdale by finishing at ten under par, one stroke ahead of Cameron Young.
A guide to links courses
Links courses are typically built on sandy coastal land shaped by wind and natural terrain. Their undulating fairways, deep bunkers, firm turf and exposed greens make wind-reading and ground-game judgement essential. Royal Birkdale winds through dunes, Carnoustie has a reputation for a demanding closing stretch, and St Andrews is celebrated for its shared greens, strategic bunkers and historic layout.
The Old Course at St Andrews is a landmark in The Open’s history, but the championship rotates among its historic venues.;
Recent champions
| Year | Champion | Venue | Dates contested | The moment that mattered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ryan Fox−10 · 270 | Royal Birkdale | Jul 16–19, 2026 | A birdie on the 72nd hole beat Cameron Young by one and delivered a dramatic Claret Jug finish. |
| 2025 | Scottie Scheffler−17 · 267 | Royal Portrush | Jul 17–20, 2025 | Won by four strokes and added the Claret Jug to his growing major record. |
| 2024 | Xander Schauffele−9 · 275 | Royal Troon | Jul 18–21, 2024 | A closing 65 secured his second major title of the season. |
| 2023 | Brian Harman−13 · 271 | Royal Liverpool | Jul 20–23, 2023 | Won by six strokes after a week of relentless control on the links. |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith−20 · 268 | St Andrews · Old Course | Jul 14–17, 2022 | A final-round 64 and a burst of late birdies turned the championship in his favour. |
For the official schedule, rules and full records, see Official championship website ↗.
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