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The Open

The R&A is based in St Andrews and organises The Open Championship, golf's oldest Major, along with a number of other amateur and junior events, some of which are sanctioned by other golfing bodies. The R&A also assumes responsibility for the administration of the Rules of Golf with the consent of 143 organisations from the amateur and professional game and on behalf of over 30 million golfers in 126 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

The Open Championship is the only Major held outside the United States and is played on the weekend of the third Friday in July. It takes place annually on one of nine links courses in Scotland or England (and once - in 1951 - in Northern Ireland). The Championship was first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland with the winner from the field of eight golfers being Willie Park Sr. There was no prize fund but Park was presented with the Challenge Belt, a red leather belt with a silver buckle.

The Claret Jug was first awarded in 1873 after Tom Morris Jr won his fourth consecutive Open Championship. The first presentation was to the 1873 winner but the first name inscribed on the trophy was that of Morris in recognition of his as yet unmatched achievement.

The official Open Championship magazine previews all the stories leading up to the playing of the tournament and profiles the leading contenders. It is released in its print format immediately after the playing of the US Open and is available nationwide. The digital version is released at the same time and is updated with any and all news that breaks after the print issue goes to press.

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The Open Archive