The 153rd Open is scheduled to happen at Royal Portrush subsequent month. Golf’s oldest event has a prestigious historical past, so right here’s a deep dive to whet your urge for food for this 12 months’s Open!
The Origins of The Open
When speaking in regards to the historical past of the British Open, you’ve acquired to begin in the beginning. The very first Open was held in 1860, which means this occasion predates each the Masters Match and the PGA Tour by seventy years or so. Although the primary Open came about in October, it’s now all the time held in July.
The Open started at Prestwick Golf Membership in Scotland, however it quickly turned custom to carry this occasion at totally different ‘hyperlinks’ golf programs across the UK. Hyperlinks programs are normally coastal, providing attention-grabbing views, dunes, and terrain. Previous Open venues embody Carnoustie, Royal Liverpool and Muirfield.
This occasion has remained pretty constant, however one attention-grabbing wrinkle within the historical past of the British Open is that the prize has modified over time. For the event’s first decade, a championship belt with a silver buckle was the long-lasting reward for essentially the most expert golfer. Nevertheless, when Tom Morris Jr received three years in a row, this prize was reconsidered.
At first, the belt was quickly changed with a medal, which was awarded to now four-time winner Tom Morris Jr in 1872. Medals like this are nonetheless an enormous a part of the occasion. For instance, as of 1974, a silver medal is given to the main beginner of The Open.
Winners nonetheless obtain medals too, however this was no alternative for the championship belt. So, in 1873, they launched the Claret Jug as the foremost prize of the occasion. That is the long-lasting image of The Open that everyone knows at this time.
Who Gained the Final Open?
The final Open Championship was received by Xander Schauffele in 2024. He secured his victory by simply two photographs, however confirmed clear talent within the last portion of the sport by succeeding regardless of 20mph crosswinds on the again 9. This was simply two months after Schauffele received the PGA Championship – 2024 was an enormous 12 months for the American!
Xander Schauffele’s win was an historic occasion. He can be competing once more in 2025, and has each likelihood of successful for the second 12 months in a row.
Why Is It No Longer Known as ‘The British Open’?
Technically, The Open has by no means been formally known as ‘The British Open’. Nevertheless, many individuals refer to it that option to keep away from confusion. The US Open (established in 1895) sometimes takes place the month earlier than The Open, and it’s simple to get the 2 tournaments blended up.
The US Open solely has ‘US’ in its identify as a result of it got here after the unique Open Championship. That is much like what number of British reveals find yourself with American spin-offs that simply add ‘US’ to the identify. The truth that it was tailored doesn’t change the identify of the unique – so the British occasion is simply known as The Open.
Based on The Open’s own website: “The Open is the proper identify for the Championship. Additionally it is essentially the most applicable.”
Regardless that this may occasionally factually be the case, it’s generally nonetheless essential to make use of the time period ‘British Open’ in an effort to be clear. So long as you do not forget that the true identify is The Open, it does no hurt to say British Open conversationally, only for readability.
What Is the Prize for The Open?
As talked about above, the prize was traditionally a belt, however now the winner of The Open will get to take dwelling the Claret Jug to maintain for the 12 months. Nevertheless, that’s not the one prize on provide.
There’s additionally a substantial fee made to the winner. The precise quantity tends to alter 12 months on 12 months; there’s normally a set “purse” for every occasion, and the winner isn’t the one one who will get to take dwelling a money prize. In 2024, the purse was $17 million, with winner Xander Schauffele taking $3.1 million of that as his prize. The purse for the 2025 Open has not but been introduced.
After all, the actual prize is that you just get to maintain coming again to play in The Open till you might be 60, or for the following ten years (whichever is longer).
When Is The Open?
The Open is held each July. This 12 months’s occasion will happen on the Royal Portrush Golf Membership in County Antrim, Northern Eire on thirteenth – twentieth July 2025. A lot of the occasion can be broadcast stay for viewers not capable of attend in individual. For individuals fortunate sufficient to be there, the gates will open at 9am on the thirteenth.
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