The Open Championship, often referred to as The Open or the British Open, is the oldest golf tournament in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Founded in 1860, it was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Later the venue rotated between a select group of coastal links golf courses in the United Kingdom. It is organised by the R&A.
The Open is one of the four men's major golf tournaments, the others being the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. Since the PGA Championship moved to May in 2019, the Open has been chronologically the fourth and final major tournament of the year. It is held in mid-July.
It is called The Open, because it is in theory "open" to all, i.e. professional and amateur golfers. In practice, the current event is a professional tournament in which a small number of the world's leading amateurs also play, by invitation or qualification. The success of the tournament has led to many other open golf tournaments to be introduced around the world.
The current champion is Collin Morikawa, who won the 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England with a score of 265.
1860Oct, 17
First The Open Championship (referred to in North America as the British Open).
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Events on 1860
- 27May
Italian unification
Giuseppe Garibaldi begins his attack on Palermo, Sicily, as part of the Italian unification. - 7Sep
Giuseppe Garibaldi
Italian unification: Giuseppe Garibaldi enters Naples. - 20Sep
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of the United Kingdom) visits Canada and the United States. - 8Oct
San Francisco
Telegraph line between Los Angeles and San Francisco opens. - 26Oct
Giuseppe Garibaldi
Meeting of Teano. Giuseppe Garibaldi, conqueror of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, gives it to King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy.