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The British Open Golf Championship

The British Open Golf Championship is played each year on the weekend of the third Friday in July. It is administered by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (the R & A).

In 2009, The British Open Golf Championship will take place on the Ailsa Course at the Westin Turnberry Resort, South Ayrshire, Scotland from the 16th to 19th July 2009.

The first Open was organised in 1860 Prestwick Golf Club. Until 1894 it was only held in Scotland. In 1920 the R & A took over the full administration of the Championship.

The Open is unusual in that it features a four hole playoff for all golfers tied at the end of the regulation rounds, with the playoff continuing with sudden death holes if players still remain tied after four holes.

The Host Courses

There are nine courses in the current rota for hosting the championship - five in Scotland and four in England.

• The Old Course at St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. St Andrews last hosted The Open in 2005.
• Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. Carnoustie last hosted The Open in 2007.
• The Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Troon last hosted The Open in 2004.
• Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland. Muirfield last hosted The Open in 2002.
• The Westin Turnberry Resort, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Turnberry last hosted The Open in 1994.
• The Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, Merseyside, England. Royal Liverpool last hosted The Open in 2006.
• The Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England. Royal Birkdale last hosted The Open in 2008.
• The Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent, England. St George's last hosted The Open in 2003.
• The Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. Lytham & St Annes last hosted The Open in 2001.

Previous Hosts

There have been five other golf courses which have hosted the championship in the past but are no longer in the rota.

• Prestwick Golf Club, Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Prestwick last hosted The Open in 1925.
• Musselburgh Links, Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. Musselburgh last hosted The Open in 1889.
• Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Deal, Kent, England. Royal Cinque Ports hosted the 1920 Open.
• Prince's Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent, England. Prince's hosted the 1932 Open.
• Royal Portrush Golf Club, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Portrush hosted the 1951 Open.

Winners of the British Open Golf Championship

• The British Open Golf Championship Winners from 1860 to 1899
• The British Open Golf Championship Winners from 1900 to 1949
• The British Open Golf Championship Winners from 1950 to 1999
• The British Open Golf Championship Winners from 2000 to 2008