Welcome to CaddyBytes' coverage of The 154th Open Championship, golf's original and most historic major championship. First contested in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, The Open stands as the world's oldest golf tournament and the only major played outside the United States. Known affectionately as the "British Open," this championship represents the ultimate test of links golf, where wind, weather, and deep bunkers challenge the world's best players.
The Open Championship rotates among nine historic links courses in the United Kingdom, with Royal Troon hosting in 2026 for the tenth time. The tournament features a field of 156 players who qualify through various exemption categories or through regional and final qualifying events. The winner receives the iconic Claret Jug, golf's most storied trophy, along with the title of "Champion Golfer of the Year."
With a history spanning three centuries, The Open has crowned legendary champions including Harry Vardon (6 wins), Tom Watson (5 wins), Peter Thomson (5 wins), and modern greats like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Collin Morikawa. The championship is renowned for its unique challenges - traditional links golf, unpredictable weather, pot bunkers, and firm, fast-running fairways - creating a distinct test that honors golf's Scottish origins while showcasing contemporary skill at the highest level.
The Open Championship
154th Open Championship 2026
Championship Details
Date: July 16-19, 2026
Location: Royal Troon, Scotland
Field: 156 Players
Golf's oldest major championship.
Championship DetailsOpen Championship History (1860 - Present)
2026 Open Championship
154th Edition
Royal Troon Golf Club
Field of 156 players
$16+ million purse
Winner receives Claret Jug
2025 Open Championship
Recent Champion
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Final major of the season
International qualifying events
Claret Jug presentation ceremony
2020s Open Championship
Modern Champions
Rotating UK Links Courses
Collin Morikawa won in 2021
Cameron Smith champion in 2022
Brian Harman claimed 2023 victory
2010s Open Championship
Historic Victories
Traditional Links Tests
Rory McIlroy won in 2014
Jordan Spieth champion in 2017
Francesco Molinari won in 2018
2000s Open Championship
Tiger Woods Era
Multiple Venues
Tiger Woods won in 2000, 2005, 2006
Padraig Harrington won in 2007, 2008
Links golf specialists excelled
Championship Format
Open Qualification
156 Player Field
72-hole stroke play format
Top 70 and ties advance
Four-hole playoff if tied
Historic Venue
Royal Troon Golf Club
2026 Host Course
Classic Scottish links
Course Details:
Par 71, 7,175 yards
Open Traditions
Golf's Original Major
Claret Jug Ceremony
Claret Jug presentation
R&A organization
Honoring golf's Scottish origins
Historic Champions
Golf's Greatest Legends
Claret Jug Winners
Harry Vardon: 6 victories
Tom Watson: 5 victories
Peter Thomson: 5 victories
The Open Championship Legacy
The Open Championship stands as golf's most historic and internationally significant major championship since its inception in 1860. Created by the Prestwick Golf Club to determine the best golfer, The Open predates all other majors and has been administered by The R&A since 1920. This championship represents the purest form of the game - traditional links golf played as it originated on Scotland's windswept coasts, where skill, creativity, and adaptability are tested against nature's elements.
The tournament's global significance extends beyond its status as the oldest major. The Open represents golf's connection to its Scottish roots while embracing its worldwide growth. The Claret Jug, first presented in 1873, is more than a trophy - it's a tangible link to golf's entire professional history, bearing the names of every champion from Tom Morris Sr. to modern stars. The title "Champion Golfer of the Year" carries a weight and tradition unmatched in the sport.
The rotating venues - including St Andrews (The Home of Golf), Royal Birkdale, Muirfield, and Royal Troon - each present unique challenges while maintaining the essential links character. The championship's openness is literal: while top players are exempt, hundreds more compete in regional and final qualifying events for the chance to compete, creating golf's most democratic major field. The infamous Open weather - from sunshine to horizontal rain in minutes - adds an unpredictable element that has defined champions and broken contenders throughout history.
As The Open approaches its 154th edition, it continues to balance ancient tradition with modern championship golf. While maintaining the fundamental challenges of links play - bump-and-run shots, deep pot bunkers, and firm, fast conditions - the championship has embraced technology in course setup and broadcast innovation. The Open's worldwide qualifying series brings the championship to aspiring golfers across six continents, while its television coverage reaches hundreds of millions globally. This combination of deep-rooted tradition and forward-thinking accessibility ensures that The Open remains not just golf's original championship, but its most truly international major - a timeless test that continues to define what championship golf should be.