Royal Portrush Golf Club • Northern Ireland • July 16–19, 2026
The oldest major in golf. Links, wind, and the Claret Jug.
The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major championships, first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland with just eight competitors. The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) runs the championship, which rotates among a select list of links courses on the British Isles.
Unlike the other three majors — which are all played in the United States — The Open takes place in the United Kingdom and Ireland, always on a links course by the sea. This geographical distinction makes it the most international-feeling of the majors, with enormous crowds from across the UK and Ireland, and a different atmosphere from any other major.
The Claret Jug — officially the Golf Champion Trophy — is one of sport's most storied trophies. First awarded in 1873, it bears the name of every champion engraved on it. The winner's name is added after their victory.
Royal Portrush Golf Club on the north coast of Northern Ireland is one of the most scenic and challenging links courses in the world. It hosted the Open Championship in 1951 — the only time the event has been held in Ireland — when Max Faulkner won. Its return in 2019 produced a memorable championship won by Shane Lowry in front of overwhelming Irish support. This 2026 edition returns to Portrush for the third time.
The links setting means that wind is a constant factor. Players who can flight the ball low and use the ground — a skill less important at Augusta or Quail Hollow — have a significant advantage. The bounce, the firm fairways, and the coastal rough create a completely different game from US major venues.
The Open rotates among a select list of links courses: St Andrews (most frequent), Royal Birkdale, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Royal St George's, Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), and Royal Portrush. Each venue has its own character, history, and challenges.
| Year | Champion | Country | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | — | — | Royal Troon, Scotland |
| 2024 | Xander Schauffele | USA | -9 | Royal Troon, Scotland — second major that year |
| 2023 | Brian Harman | USA | -13 | Royal Liverpool, England — dominant wire-to-wire |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | Australia | -20 | St Andrews, Scotland — signed with LIV weeks later |
| 2021 | Collin Morikawa | USA | -15 | Royal St George's, England — second major |
| 2019 | Shane Lowry | Ireland | -15 | Royal Portrush — last time at Portrush (same venue 2026) |
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth | USA | -12 | Royal Birkdale, England |