The Open Championship
The Open Championship is the oldest of golf’s four major tournaments, first played in 1860 and run by The R&A. It is the only major held outside the United States, staged each July on a rotation of seaside links courses in Britain.
What is the Open Championship?
The Open Championship sits alongside the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship as one of the four men’s majors, the most important titles in the professional game. It is the oldest of the group by a wide margin. The first Open was played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, according to Wikipedia, which makes it the oldest golf tournament in the world.
Two things set it apart from the other three majors. It is the only one played outside the United States, and it is run by The R&A rather than a U.S. body. The R&A is the governing authority for golf across most of the world, and it sends the championship to a different British links course each year.
The winner is named Champion Golfer of the Year and lifts the Claret Jug, a title and trophy that carry as much weight in golf as the prize cheque. Scottie Scheffler is the reigning champion after winning at Royal Portrush in 2025.
Why is it called “The Open” and not the British Open?
Outside the United Kingdom, many fans call it the British Open. The official name has only ever been The Open Championship, and the reason goes back to 1860. When the tournament began, there was no U.S. Open, French Open, or any other event using the word “Open” in its title. There was simply The Open.
The host club, Prestwick, described the event as open to the world, meaning any golfer could enter rather than just members of a particular club. As golf spread and other countries launched their own national Opens, people in the United States began adding “British” to tell them apart. Today’s Golfer notes that prize money was even paid in pounds until 2016 before switching to U.S. dollars. The R&A has kept the original name throughout, so The Open Championship is correct, and the British Open is the informal nickname.
How the Open Championship works
The Open runs over four days, usually starting on the third Thursday in July. Players compete over 72 holes, 18 each day, in a stroke play format. That means every shot counts toward a running total, and the golfer with the fewest strokes after 72 holes wins. There is no match against a single opponent, only the whole field and the course.
The field is large at the start, with roughly 156 players, a mix of professionals and a handful of amateurs who earn their place. After two rounds, a cut trims it to the top 70 and ties. The rest go home. Anyone still level after 72 holes goes to a four-hole playoff, then sudden death if no winner has emerged.
Where it is played is part of what makes the event distinctive. The Open is always held on a links course, the original style of golf course found along the British coast, with firm turf, deep bunkers, rolling ground, and wind off the sea. The R&A rotates the championship among about ten of these courses in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. St Andrews in Scotland is known as the Home of Golf, Carnoustie has a reputation as the toughest test in the rotation, and Royal Birkdale in England hosts the 2026 championship.
The Open vs the other three majors
Most people searching for the Open are trying to place it among the four majors. The table below shows how it compares with the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the U.S. Open.
| Major | When | Where | Organiser | Course type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Open | July (last) | Britain (rotates) | The R&A | Links |
| The Masters | April (first) | Augusta, Georgia (fixed) | Augusta National | Parkland |
| PGA Championship | May | United States (rotates) | PGA of America | Varies |
| U.S. Open | June | United States (rotates) | USGA | Varies |
The Open closes the major season. It is also the only one staged outside the United States, and the only one built around links golf. The Masters, by contrast, returns to the same course every year: Augusta National in Georgia.
The Claret Jug and the Champion Golfer of the Year
The trophy handed to the winner is officially the Golf Champion Trophy, though almost everyone calls it the Claret Jug. For the first Opens the prize was a red leather Challenge Belt, not a jug at all. The Claret Jug was introduced in the early 1870s, and the winner has received a replica to keep since the club decided to retain the original.
The title that comes with it, Champion Golfer of the Year, dates back to the first Open in 1860. For many players, it means more than the trophy itself. The prize fund has grown over the years, reaching $17 million in 2025, with $3.1 million going to the winner, as reported by CBS Sports. That is the smallest purse of the four majors, which says something about why players still rank winning it so highly.
Related Golf Terms
- Tee shot — The first stroke on any hole, played from the tee box.
- Target line —The imaginary line from the ball to the intended target.
- Tee time — A reserved time slot for beginning a round of golf.
- Texas wedge — Using a putter from off the green.
- Tempo — The speed and rhythm of the golf swing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the Open Championship held?
Once a year, every July. The 2026 edition at Royal Birkdale will be the 154th playing of the championship.
Who has won the Open the most times?
Harry Vardon holds the record with six victories between 1896 and 1914, according to National Club Golfer.
Who was the youngest Open champion?
Young Tom Morris, who was 17 years and 5 months old when he won in 1868, as recorded by National Club Golfer.
What is the lowest score in Open history?
Henrik Stenson shot 264 in 2016, and his 20-under-par total was matched by Cameron Smith in 2022, per Wikipedia.
How do players qualify for the Open?
Most earn a spot through exemptions tied to world ranking, recent major results, and major tours. Others come through the Open Qualifying Series of events around the world or final qualifying in Britain.
Is the British Open the same as the Open Championship?
Yes. They are two names for the same event. The Open Championship is the official name; British Open is the common nickname, especially in the United States.
Sources
- Wikipedia. “The Open Championship.” Accessed June 2026.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. “British Open.” Accessed June 2026.
- The R&A. “The Open.” theopen.com. Accessed June 2026.
- National Club Golfer. “The Open Championship field 2026.” Accessed June 2026.
- CBS Sports. “2025 British Open purse, prize money.” Accessed June 2026.
- Today’s Golfer. “Open Championship prize money.” Accessed June 2026.
