1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Golf

The British Open

History, Records and Info about British Open Golf Tournament

By Brent Kelley, About.com

Claret Jug - British Open Trophy

The Claret Jug is the trophy of the British Open golf tournament.

Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Welcome to the home of the British Open - more properly called the Open Championship - on About.com. The British Open golf tournament is one of the four golf majors, and the oldest, dating back to the 1860s.

2010 British Open
• When: July 15-18
• Where: The Old Course at St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland

2009 British Open
Stewart Cink birdied the 72nd hole to get to 2-under; Tom Watson bogied the 72nd hole to fall to 2-under. The two squared off in a four-hole aggregate playoff, but Watson - coming off the deflating 72nd-hole bogey and perhaps tiring at age 59 - couldn't make anything good happen on the extra holes. Cink won the playoff, 14 to 20, and won the Open Championship.

2009 Final Leaders
p-Stewart Cink, 66-72-71-69--278
Tom Watson, 65-70-71-72--278
Chris Wood, 70-70-72-67--279
Lee Westwood, 68-70-70-71--279
Luke Donald, 71-72-70-67--280
Retief Goosen, 67-70-71-72--280
Mathew Goggin, 66-72-69-73--280
Soren Hansen, 68-72-74-67--281
Ernie Els, 69-72-72-68--281
Justin Leonard, 70-70-73-68--281
Thomas Aiken, 71-72-69-69--281
Richard S. Johnson, 70-72-69-70--281
p-won playoff
Full Scores

Turnberry (Ailsa Course) Gallery
The British Open returns to the Ailsa Course at Turnberry. Check out the Turnberry pictures for a view of the links.

Past Opens at Turnberry
The Open Championship has visited Turnberry three times in the past. Click on a year to read a recap and view the scores from the tournaments:
1994 | 1986 | 1977

2008 Final Leaders
Padraig Harrington, 283
Ian Poulter, 287
Henrik Stenson, 289
Greg Norman, 289
Jim Furyk, 290
Chris Wood, 290

British Open Golf Tournament - Facts, Figures, Trivia

Take the British Open Quiz
How well do you know your British Open trivia? This quick, 10-question quiz will test your knowledge.

British Open Past Champions
The British Open dates back to 1860, and you can see every champion through the years on this list.

British Open Records
Wondering about the oldest and youngest winners? The tournament scoring record? Browse through some of the British Open records.

FAQ
What is a "links" course?
What is the origin of the Claret Jug?

Future Sites
• 2010: The Old Course at St. Andrews
• 2011: Royal St. George's
• 2012: Royal Lytham & St. Annes
• 2013: Muirfield

More of Golf's Major Events
The Masters
U.S. Open
PGA Championship
Ryder Cup
Presidents Cup

Explore Golf

About.com Special Features

Learn to Pitch

Strike out the competition with these step-by-step pictorials. More >

Introduction to Pilates

Learning Pilates fundamentals can help you get the most out of your exercise regime. More >

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Golf
  4. Tours / Events
  5. Pro Golf Tours
  6. Tour Schedules
  7. 2009 PGA Tour Schedule
  8. British Open - History and Records of the British Open Golf Championship>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.