The Open Championship is also known as the British Open or simply, The Open
In the sport of golf, there are few major tournaments that are as highly anticipated by both fans and players. The four main ones are the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. The latter of these is the oldest competition in golf, first founded in 1860. The Open, as it is also known, is the last tournament of the year, held annually in mid-July. As its name suggests, the tournament is ‘Open’ to all, which means that both amateur and professional golfers are welcomed by qualification. With the tournament just a few months away, aficionados are now busy analyzing expert golf predictions on top contenders, and gearing up for an exciting weekend of golf action. In anticipation of this hugely important golf spectacle, let’s take a look at everything there is to know surrounding the event, from its history to top players, where to watch and more.
Historical Relevance
The Open Championship is 160 years in the making, having had its debut at Prestwick Golf Club in the mid-1800s. Over the years, a total of 87 champion golfers have been crowned from 15 different nationalities. This extremely international tournament now takes place at a rotation of different UK venues, and this year will be held at Royal St George’s Golf Club in England. It awards a hefty prize pool of $11,500,000 million to the top golfer and other benefits such as The Golf Champion Trophy and guaranteed entry to future Opens. There have been a handful of special moments from this tournament since its inauguration, but some of the best have to be when Jack Nicklaus beat out Doug Sanders in 1970, and when Tiger Woods’ claimed victory with 8 strokes in 2000. However, the reign of Arnold Palmer in the 1960s was unforgettable, especially as this was the first time many fans were able to watch the tournament on live television. In its early days only 8 players competed, but now each year hosts dozens of talented athletes on the green. If you are looking for the most historic event in golf, there is none more prestigious than The Open.
Dates, Top Contenders and Where to Watch
This year, The Open will tee off on Thursday, July 14 and wrap up on Sunday, July 17. The structure follows golfers competing over 72 holes, with each competitor playing 18 holes each day. As it is a high-profile event, tickets are equally high in demand. Prospective attendees must apply for tickets and wait for them to be distributed through a digital ticketing app. After all, The Open is to golfers what the World Cup is to footballers, a once in a lifetime spectacle. If you are interested in attending the 150th edition, make a plan to get tickets today. Since it can be a bit of a complicated process, have a look at this helpful FAQ guide that’s been put together by the official Open website.
The reigning champ of The Open Championship, Collin Morikawa, is a top golfer on the scene nowadays
Many skilled golfers have taken home The Open title over the years, from Tom Watson to Bobby Locke, to the sport’s more modern playmakers Jordan Speith and Zach Johnson. The tournament is one that every golfer dreams of winning. This year, everyone has eyes on Jon Rahm, Rory Mcllroy and, of course, the reigning king Collin Morikawa. Fans can watch for themselves to see who will take home the title, as The Open will be aired on the Golf Channel in the morning and then switch to NBC for the rest of the day’s coverage. If you can’t make it in person to the event, why not organize your own watch party with your fellow golf fans? Make it a big event and go all out with golf-themed snacks and decorations. Here are some fun ideas to get your creativity flowing.