British Open Golf History

    The British Open golf tournament is the world's oldest golf championship, dating back to 1860, when eight golfers played on a 12-hole course at Prestwick ("History/ Historical Timeline"). It inception in October of that year was largely due to the persistence of the Earl of Eglinton and Colonel James Fairlie. They persuaded the members of Prestwick golf club to create a garish, red leather belt with silver buckles to be awarded as a prize, and to send letters to the premiere golf clubs throughout Scotland inviting their three best caddies to compete in British Open golf ("History: History Overview"). Willie Park Senior won the first British Open golf tournament by two strokes, defeating Tom Morris Senior. Park's only prize was the red and silver belt. The British Open didn't award prize money until 1873 ("History: History Overview").
    To increase participation, Prestwick golf club declared that the tournament should be "open to the whole world," ("A Walk Through History"). From that declaration, the tournament became known as The Open golf tournament, known as the British Open golf tournament to Americans. Despite the tournament being open to amateurs, only 18 golfers played in the second British Open golf tournament in 1861.
    As time passed, the tournament grew. The Claret Jug, which is still the trophy today, replaced the belt in 1873, and more golf clubs were invited to host the tournament ("History: The History of the Claret Jug"). The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers began hosting the British Open golf tournament in 1873 ("History: History Overview"). Then in the 1890s, Royal St George's at Sandwich in Kent and Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake in Cheshire were added to the circuit of courses that hosted the British Open golf tournament ("History: History Overview").
    In the entire history of the British Open golf tournament, only 13 golf courses, all links style courses, have played host to the prestigious event and all, besides Royal Potrush of Northern Ireland, have been in Scotland or England ("History/ Past Opens"). On those 13 courses, the best players in the world have competed in the hopes of winning the oldest and arguably the most important major golf championship (Parker).

British Open Golf Top Winners

 
    Many of the greatest names in golfing history can be found inscribed on the Claret Jug. However, there are some golfer's names that appear many more times than others'. Here is a list of those golfers who have won the British Open golf tournament five or more times.

The Most British Open Golf Championships ("History/Records")

6 - Harry Vardon: 1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914
5 - James Braid: 1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910
5 - J.H. Taylor: 1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913
5 - Peter Thomson: 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1965
5 - Tom Watson: 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983

British Open Golf Ticket Information

    If you want to see golf history being made in person, you need to get tickets to the British Open golf tournament. Easier said than done, right? It's actually not as difficult as you might think. British Open golf tickets are reasonably priced compared to other major golf tournaments and are sold directly from the R&A in St. Andrews Scotland. You can buy them online from both the British Open golf tournament Web site -- www.opengolf.com -- or the R&A Website -- www.randa.org. Prices will rage from about $282 for weeklong access to the grounds to only $10 for one-day access to a practice round ("Spectator Information/Tickets"). Reserved Grandstand seating and Composite seating tickets usually aren't available until October or November. On thing to remember when searching for British Open golf tickets is that the longer you wait to buy tickets, the higher the price you will have to pay, and if all the tickets sell out, you'll have to resort to buying tickets from the secondary market, which will cost you even more money ("Spectator Information/Tickets"). So your best option is to get your tickets early and get them direct from the R&A, rather than a ticket broker, operating in the secondary market.