The Open Championship was staged at Royal Lytham and St Annes for the eleventh time in 2012, underlining its position among the country's elite links courses and a popular Open venue.

The layout at Royal Lytham and St Annes is the most Northerly English course on The Open rota, situated 10 miles north of Royal Birkdale on 'England's Golf Coast' with Blackpool Tower visible in the distance.

The course may have celebrated its centenary in 1998, but only minor alterations have been made to George Lowe's original design; the renowned Harry S. Colt's changes in 1919 being the most severe, adding over 200 pot bunkers to ensure that Lytham remained a true championship seaside test.