The Open 2022

The 150th Open Championship
St Andrews Old Course

Sunday 10 July – Sunday 17 July 2022

Golf’s oldest Major Championship is regarded by many as the most prized title to claim. Since starting in 1860, The Open has been played at 14 different courses ranging from Prince’s in Kent, which has held The Open just once, in 1932, to The Old Course at St Andrews which has held a record 29 championships since it’s first in 1873.

The championship differs from the other 3 Major Championships in that it has always been contested over links golf courses. These fast running layouts can provide huge drama with the requirement for shot making imperative to navigate across the humps, hollows and pot bunkers which line the playing surfaces. The additional factor, which has been associated with many Open Championships, is the Great British weather. Whether this is the incredible events which took place during The Duel in Sun at Turnberry with stunning weather and unforgettable golf by Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, or it is the strong winds and rain that tested the world’s best against the likes of Royal Birkdale or Muirfield.

With some of the best ever players amongst those who have claimed The Claret Jug, The Open is a tournament woven into the game’s rich tapestry. Whether it is Harry Vardon, the man who made the overlap grip so popular it carries his name, with his record 6 victories or the scenes at Royal Birkdale in 1976 which launched the great Seve Ballesteros to the forefront of world golf, there are so many memories and shots that have contributed so greatly to the game’s history. Famous golfers who have claimed the title include record Major winner, Jack Nicklaus who not only achieved 3 victories but also a record 7 runners-up spots, or Bobby Jones who in claiming his 3rd Open in 1930 was able to complete the Grand Slam of both Amateur and Open Championship in Great Britain as well as victories in The US Open and US Amateur, this feat has never been matched.

The Open Championship and The Old Course are two of the capstones of golf. With increasing regularity, The Old Course plays host to The Open Championship and on each occasion, it brings drama, memorable moments and a stellar Champion Golfer of the Year.

About St Andrews

With many shots that are totally unique to the game of golf, The Old Course stands alone as a place every golfer should head to at least once in their lifetime.

Whether this is standing on the 1st tee, looking at one of the widest fairways in golf or the testing tee shot on The Road Hole (17th) and the unforgettable approach to trying to avoid golf’s most famous bunker with the pot bunker that protects the green.

Whatever your level of interest in the game of golf, a visit to St Andrews and playing The Old Course is a trip that everyone should endeavour to do, the memories will last long into your lifetime.

Past Open Championships at St Andrews

The Old Course at St Andrews has held The Open more times than any other course on The Open rota, the 150th Open Championship will be the 30th time the event has been held on the Old Course.

In recent times, The Old Course has seen USA’s Zach Johnson (2015) and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen (2010) claim the title. With Tiger Woods achieving a double of Open Championship wins in 2005 and 2000 with record scores of -18 and -19 respectively.

Past greats who have triumphed on The Old Course to win an Open Championship include J.H. Taylor, winner of 2 Opens at St Andrews and 5 in total, James Braid, who won 2 of his 5 Open Championships at St Andrews. Bobby Jones, the only amateur to win an Open Championship at St Andrews, Jack Nicklaus, who claimed 2 Opens at St Andrews to go with his record 18-major haul. Seve Ballesteros whose celebration and fist pump in 1984 on the 18th hole at St Andrews is one of the iconic moments in golf. Sir Nick Faldo set the lowest Open Championship winning score with his victory in 1990.

The Open Championship at St Andrews will be one of the most anticipated and highly attended in many years with golfers from around the world descending on The Home of Golf to capture the magical moments that The Old Course provides each time it plays host to golf’s oldest Major Championship.