Open Championship: Frequently Asked Questions
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When is the 2018 Open Championship?
The third major of the year is always held in the middle of July, and this year’s 2018 Open Championship will begins on Thursday 19th and ends on July Sunday, 22 July.
Where is the 2018 Open Championship?
Carnoustie Golf Links will host the 147th Open for the eighth time in it’s history. The first time it held the competiton was in 1931 when it was won by American Tommy Armour, and the previous time Padraig Harrington claimed the trophy in 2007.
Where is Carnoustie?
Carnoustie is a small town on the Angus coast in Scotland between Dundee and Arbroath, and is about 15 minutes away from Dundee by train.
What is the par of Carnoustie
Carnoustie is a par 71 for The Open, and is the longest course in Open history – having played at 7,421 yards in 2007. In 2018, the course will play 19 yards shorter largely due to a new grandstand on the 1st tee.
What is the purse/ prize money at the Open?
The prize money for this year has not been confirmed yet, but in 2017 the purse was awarded in dollars for the first time. The purse was $10.25 million, and champion golfer of the year Jordan Spieth received $1,845,000
Who won the 2017 Open?
Jordan Spieth won The Open in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, producing an incredible back-nine to defeat Matt Kuchar by two shots.
What is the Claret Jug?
The Claret Jug, officially known as the Champions Cup, is the trophy awarded to the winner of The Open. Originally the Challenge Belt was given to the winner, but after Young Tommy Morris won the title three years in a row the belt became his in 1870, and they became in need a new trophy. Three clubs came together to buy the trophy, but as it was not ready in 1871 when Morris won again, the first recipient was Tom Kidd in 1871.
Who has won the most Open Championships?
Harry Vardon won the Open six times, and is the only player to have picked up more than five Open victories. There are however five other players who have won it five times; Peter Thomson, Tom Watson, James Braid and J.H. Taylor.
Who is the oldest winner of The Open?
The oldest winner of the Open Championship is Old Tom Morris Sr, who was 46 years and 102 days old when he won in 1867.
Who is the youngest winner of The Open?
Old Tom’s son, Young Tommy Morris, won the Open on four separate occasions. The first time he became champion in 1868, he was 17 years and 156 days old.
Who holds the course record at Carnoustie?
Tommy Fleetwood holds the course record of 63 at Carnoustie, which he recorded during the Dunhill Links Championship in 2017 to finish at 20-under-par, a shot to par better than Tiger Woods’ 19-under victory at St Andrews in 2000.
What is the Open Championship Scoring Record?
Henrik Stenson claimed the 72-hole record with victory in 2016, needing just 264 shots over four days of competition.
What is the lowest 18-hole score at The Open?
Last year, Branden Grace became the first player in history to record a 62 in any major championship at Royal Birkdale – shooting a 29 on the front nine and 33 on the back nine. There have been 10 players to have recorded 63s.
When was the first Open held?
In 1860, the first Open Championship was at Prestwick in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It was a one-day, 36-hole competition and Willie Park, Sr won by two strokes with a total score of 174.
How can you qualify for The Open?
There are 42 different categories, and therefore ways, to qualify for The Open in 2018. Categories include any former champion, players inside the World’s top 50, and 11 qualifying series events. See more here
What golf courses are on the Open rota?
There are currently 10 courses on the Open rota, which take turns in hosting the event.
The Old Course at St. Andrews
Carnoustie
Royal St. George’s
Royal Lytham & St. Annes
Royal Birkdale
Turnberry
Royal Liverpool
Royal Troon
Royal Portrush
Muirfield
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The Championship course at Carnoustie is one of the courses used in the Dunhill Links.
