With the 145th Open Championship teeing off on Thursday morning at Royal Troon, we’ve run through some of the essential things you need to know ahead of the four days of golf in Britain’s most illustrious golfing event.
The Open, held at Royal Troon for the ninth time in its history, is the 145th edition of the tournament and is sure to be one of the most hotly contested in recent times.
In an open field, with no clear runaway favourite, Zach Johnson will hope to hold onto the Claret Jug for another year.
However, Dustin Johnson and numerous others are sure to push him all the way for the major victory.
Not everyone has a huge interest in golf but with it being on the TV and being held in the UK, it’s a perfect time to have a look at the game and the tournament.
So, for those who want to know a bit more, here’s some things to know about this week’s Open:
The Four Majors
The Open Championship is one of the four majors held every year in the golf calendar.
It is highly regarded, but is the only major to be held on British soil.
The other three; the Masters, the US Open and the PGA Championship are all held in America.
Where is it being held?
The 145th Open Championship is being held at Royal Troon in Scotland. It was handed its Royal status in 1978, and this is the ninth time the course has held the Open Championship.
It last held the Open in 2004, when Todd Hamilton won his first and only major in a playoff against Ernie Els.
When does it begin?
The 145th Open Championship tees off on Wednesday morning, with Colin Montgomerie having the honour of taking the first shot of the tournament.
The winner will be crowned after four days of golf, on Sunday evening.
Records
The Open Championship is one of the four main majors and has long been considered one of the most important golfing events in the calendar year.
However, dominance in the tournament has been hard to come by. The most victories in the tournament is held by Harry Vardon, who picked up the Claret Jug six times.
Tom Watson is the closest to match it in the modern era. Watson has won it five times.
The Course
Royal Troon is one of the trickier courses in Open golf, with the wind playing a key role in their approach game.
Typically, the players will often have the wind with them in the front nine, but against them on the back, thus birdies will need to be capitalised on in the early holes.
The back nine contains a tricky par three, however, the 6th hole is the most interesting, as it is a 601-yard par 5. It is the longest hole in British Open golf.
The current holder
American Zach Johnson is the current champion of the Open Championship, after he defeated Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a play-off.
It was is second major win, after he won the Masters in 2007. He’ll be hoping to retain his trophy again this year.
Who are the favourites?
With golf being one of the most unpredictable sports in terms of predicting an outright winner, there are a few favourites. Dustin Johnson is the early favourite as he looks to add to his maiden major victory earlier in the year when he won the 2016 US Open, whilst Rory McIlroy and his compatriot Jordan Spieth offer fierce competition for the Jug.
You wouldn’t look past Sergio Garcia or Lee Westwood either, who have seven runner up finishes at major championships between them.
The American Run
Despite being called the “British” Open, the major championship has been dominated by the Americans in recent times.
Seven out of the last 13 have been won by the Americans, with Zach Johnson the last to win it in 2015.
Prize Money
This year’s tournament has the highest prize total for the winner in its history. With £1,175,000 up for grabs, it is a nice tournament to win!
American dominance at Troon
Americans have won seven of the last 13 Open’s but their record at Troon is even more remarkable.
The last six winners of the Open at Troon have came from the States.
The latest was Todd Hamilton who defeated Ernie Els in 2004.