The Open Championship is one of the most revered tournaments in golf. It’s steeped in tradition, in history, and in truly magical moments. With the 154th edition of the tournament teeing off at Royal Birkdale July 16–19, we’ve gathered a few fun facts about the Open Championship you may not know.
Fun Facts About the Open Championship
1. It’s old! That’s right, the Open is the oldest of the modern-day four major tournaments, and since the PGA Championship moved to May, it’s also the final major on the calendar each year.
2. It’s the only major played outside of the United States, and every host course is a true links course.
3. The first Open Championship was in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club. It consisted of a field of only eight players and was won by Willie Park Sr., who went on to win three more times.
4. The winner was awarded the Challenge Belt, a silver-buckled leather belt, up until 1872 when they switched to the Claret Jug. The champion keeps the famous trophy for a year before returning it, and receives a replica to keep forever.
5. In 1862, Old Tom Morris won the Open by 13 strokes—a record margin of victory that still stands today, more than 160 years later.
6. Harry Vardon holds the record for most Open wins with six (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914).
7. The Open was played at St. Andrews for the first time in 1873. The Old Course has now hosted a record 30 Opens, most recently the 150th in 2022, and the Championship returns to the Home of Golf in 2027.
8. The Open has only been called off for two reasons in its 160-plus-year history: the World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 cancellation was the first since 1945.
9. There are 10 courses in the current Open rota: the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, Muirfield, Royal Troon Golf Club, Royal St. George’s Golf Club, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Royal Portrush Golf Club, and Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, though Turnberry hasn’t hosted since 2009.
10. This year’s host, Royal Birkdale, is staging the Open for the 11th time, more than any venue except St. Andrews since it joined the rota in 1954. Jordan Spieth won there in 2017, and defending champion Scottie Scheffler arrives after lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in 2025 in front of a record 278,000 fans.
