The British Open

History

The history of The Open, the world’s oldest golf championship, comes vividly to life in this exclusive timeline of dramatic images and video clips. It captures the growth of the Championship from the first event at Prestwick in 1860, when eight players challenged for the title over three rounds of the 12-hole course, to the pulsating climax of the latest modern contest.

The champions and the dramatic events that led to their victories are presented decade by decade through well over a century of fascinating action.

Experience some of the greatest moments from the history of The Open Championship simply by clicking the button above to begin.

2006 British Open Victory

Emotional third Open victory for Tiger Woods

After an absence of 39 years, The Open returned to Royal Liverpool. For many players, it was their first experience of the Hoylake links and day after day of intense heat had baked the course, producing fast-running fairways. A thunderstorm and heavy rain delayed the opening round by half an hour and it was precisely 7.00am when Peter Hedblom struck the first ball of the Championship.

The defending champion, Tiger Woods, had a promising start. An eagle at the 18th for a 67 left him just one shot behind the first day leader, Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, whose 66 was a new course record. Keeping Woods company were Greg Owen, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Keiichiro Fukabori and Anthony Wall, the only player of the day to secure two eagles.

Woods used his driver only once during the four days of play – at the 16th on day one. Realising from his first practice round that he could drive over 370 yards, measures were needed to control the ball. His five wood was replaced with a two iron, although he would occasionally hit a three wood off the tee. His game plan was to keep the ball on the fairway and stay short of the bunkers