British Open Golf History

The first British Open---and the next 11---took place at Prestwick, an old 12-hole golf course in Ayrshire, Scotland. Eight Scottish players went around the course three times, and Willie Park Sr. emerged the winner with a score of 174. He beat Tom Morris by two strokes to receive the Championship Belt, made of red leather and adorned with silver.

The Open took place in Scotland until 1894, when it began a rotation with golf courses in England. Today it rotates among nine courses in Britain. Scottish courses include St. Andrews, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon and Turnberry. English courses are St. George's, Birkdale, Lytham and Liverpool.

Willie Park Sr. earned his place in history by winning the first Open, but second-place Tom Morris came back to win the tournament four times, starting in 1861. His son, Young Tom Morris, also won the Open four times before his early death at age 21.

At the end of the 19th and into the 20th century, Harry Vardon from Jersey (nearthe English Channel) won the Open a record-breaking six times. Englishman J.H. Taylor recorded five wins in the same era.

Scotsman James Braid won the Open five times in the early 20th century, and South African Bobby Locke won four in the middle of the century. Starting in 1954, Australian Peter Thomson prevailed five times, and in the 1970's and '80s, Tom Watson also won five.

When Willie Park won the first British Open, he received a belt but not a cash prize. No money was awarded for the next two years, but in 1863 the runners-up shared a prize of 10 English pounds. Starting the following year, the winner also received a check.

In addition to the monetary award, the British Open winner receives a gold medal and the Golf Champion Trophy, known as The Claret Jug. This prize replaced the original Championship Belt.