The open, the history
In 1860, golf brought us the open
The Open Championship was first contested in 1860, making it 166 years old in 2026. It is the oldest golf tournament in the world, often referred to simply as The Open, and remains one of the most prestigious events in the sport.
The First Open Championship
The Birth of The Open
The First Open Championship
The Birth of The Open
Credit: The R&A
The Claret Jug is Introduced
A New Trophy for Champions
The Claret Jug is Introduced
A New Trophy for Champions
Credit: The R&A
St Andrews hosts its first Open
The Home of Golf Becomes a Fixture
St Andrews hosts its first Open
The Home of Golf Becomes a Fixture
Credit: Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, ID: JV-14165
The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The Battle of the Stars
The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The Battle of the Stars
Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
Tom Watson’s Breakthrough Victory
The First of Many
Tom Watson’s Breakthrough Victory
The First of Many
Credit: Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, ID: 2008-1-8314
The Open Returns to St Andrews
The Open Comes Home
The Open Returns to St Andrews
The Open Comes Home
Credit: Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, ID: PGA-6-47
Tiger Woods Wins The Open at St Andrews
Tiger’s First Open Victory
Tiger Woods Wins The Open at St Andrews
Tiger’s First Open Victory
Credit: Michael Joy/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Tiger Woods conquers the Old Course again
Back-to-Back Victories at St Andrews
Tiger Woods conquers the Old Course again
Back-to-Back Victories at St Andrews
Credit: R&A via Getty Images
The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale
A US Victory in Tough Conditions
The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale
A US Victory in Tough Conditions
Credit: Courtesy of the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, ID: 2008-1-5369
Collin Morikawa Wins in Historic Fashion
The Open Returns after a Pandemic Pause
Collin Morikawa Wins in Historic Fashion
The Open Returns after a Pandemic Pause
Credit: Warren Little/R&A
The 150th Open at St Andrews
A Milestone in Golf History
The 150th Open at St Andrews
A Milestone in Golf History
Credit: Richard Heathcote/R&A
The First Open Championship
The Birth of The Open
The Claret Jug is Introduced
A New Trophy for Champions
St Andrews hosts its first Open
The Home of Golf Becomes a Fixture
The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The Battle of the Stars
Tom Watson’s Breakthrough Victory
The First of Many
The Open Returns to St Andrews
The Open Comes Home
Tiger Woods Wins The Open at St Andrews
Tiger’s First Open Victory
Tiger Woods conquers the Old Course again
Back-to-Back Victories at St Andrews
The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale
A US Victory in Tough Conditions
Collin Morikawa Wins in Historic Fashion
The Open Returns after a Pandemic Pause
The 150th Open at St Andrews
A Milestone in Golf History
© 2026 Welcome to Fife
© 2026 Welcome to Fife