Golf Blog

On 17 October 1860, the first Open Championship is played over the links at Prestwick. The first competition was only open to invited professionals. A total of 8 players competed at Prestwick Golf Club. Willie Park Senior took the title to become the first Open Champion. He scored 174, beating the favourite, Tom Morris Senior, by two strokes.

The event takes place every year on one of nine historic links courses in the UK. Uniquely of the four Major championships, The Open features a four hole playoff for all golfers tied at the end of regulation, with the playoff continuing into sudden death holes if players remain tied after four holes. Until 1963, playoffs for first place were settled over 36 holes. Between 1964 and 1984 they were held over 18 holes and from 1985 until now the four hole playoff followed by sudden death has been in place.
Between 1860-70, The Open Championship was organised by and played at Prestwick Golf Club, but from 1872 The Open has been played at a number of courses in rotation.

There are nine courses in the current rota:

Old Course at St Andrews
Carnoustie Golf Links
Muirfield
The Westin Turnberry Resort
Royal Troon Golf Club
Royal St George’s Golf Club
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club
Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Courses which are no longer in the rota:

Prestwick Golf Club
Musselburgh Links
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Prince’s Golf Club
Royal Portrush Golf Club

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