The Open championship is the oldest running championship in golf and one of the four major tournaments in the world. It has a rich history dating back to 1860 when it was first played at Scotland’s Prestwick Golf Club and won by Willie Park Sr. of Musselburgh. As we prepare for the 151st edition at Royal Liverpool, it’s worth taking a closer look at The Open’s venues, past and present.
The Open has been held annually since 1860 on various courses in the United Kingdom, with a few exceptions. Up until 2023, The Open has been held 98 times in Scotland, 52 times in England, and twice in Northern Ireland. The tournament has spanned across 14 different courses: seven in Scotland, six in England, and one in Northern Ireland. Wales is yet to join The Open’s rotation.
Three of these courses have retired as hosts: Prince’s (last played in 1932), Royal Cinque Ports (played in 1938 and 1949 but both cancelled due to severe weather), and Prestwick, the original home of The Open Championship. The Open aims to visit each course roughly once every ten years, except for St Andrews, which hosts every fifth year, being the original home of golf.
In 1922, the Open Championships Committee declared that the tournament would only be played on links courses in the future, to provide a true test to the most skilled players. Links courses tend to be more exposed to weather elements, such as the wind, thus making them more difficult to play on than inland courses. The unique blend of prestige, history, and unique features, such as the weather, makes The Open the event of dreams for golfers.
Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland, retired as a host, and it hosted The Open 24 times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1860, and the last time was in 1925. St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, hosted The Open 30 times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1873, and the last time was in 2022. Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, hosted The Open six times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1874, and the last time was in 1889.
Muirfield, Gullane, Scotland, hosted The Open 16 times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1892, and the last time was in 2013. Royal St George’s, Sandwich, England, hosted The Open 15 times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1894, and the last time was in 2021. Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England, hosted The Open 12 times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1897, and the last time was in 2014 (2023 confirmed).
Royal Cinque Ports, Deal, England, hosted The Open twice. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1909, and the last time was in 1920. Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland, hosted The Open nine times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1923, and the last time was in 2016 (2024 confirmed). Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire, England, hosted The Open 11 times. The first time it hosted The Open was in 1926, and the last time was in 2012.
