British Open (the Open Championship)

Q: Why is it called the British Open?

The tournament's official name is 'The Open Championship,' but it's commonly called the British Open in the United States and other countries to distinguish it from their own national Opens. In the UK, it's simply known as 'The Open.'

Page last updated: July 2025

The Open Championship 2025

Dates: July 17-20, 2025 | Venue: Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland

Event Guide Betting Odds Tickets Guide

The British Open is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. The tournament's official title is the Open Championship, however, it is usually referred to as the British Open here to distinguish it from the US Open and many other 'opens' held around the world. The British Open is the oldest of the four Majors, dating back to the 1860s. The tournament is held in July each year.

playing at St Andrews

Championship Overview

The Open Championship, commonly known as the British Open, stands as golf's oldest major championship. First played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, it remains the only major championship played outside the United States. The tournament rotates among a select group of links courses in the United Kingdom, primarily in Scotland and England.

What makes The Open unique is its traditional links golf format, where players battle coastal winds, deep bunkers, and firm, fast-running fairways. The champion receives the iconic Claret Jug, one of the most recognizable trophies in all of sport.

The Open Championship 2025

The 153rd Open Championship will be played at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Northern Ireland from July 17-20, 2025. This will be only the third time Royal Portrush has hosted The Open, with the previous occasions being in 1951 and 2019 when Shane Lowry triumphed.

For comprehensive coverage of the 2025 championship:

Complete 2025 Event Guide - Schedule, field, TV coverage, and course guide
Betting Odds & Expert Predictions - Latest odds, value picks, and analysis
Tickets Price Guide & Comparison - Compare prices across all platforms

Championship Information

Open Championship Winners List - Complete list of champions since 1860
Past and Future Venues - The rotation of championship courses
Open Championship Trivia - Interesting facts and records
Buy books about the British Open

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called the British Open?

The tournament's official name is "The Open Championship," but it's commonly called the British Open in the United States and other countries to distinguish it from their own national Opens. In the UK, it's simply known as "The Open."

When is the British Open played?

The Open Championship is traditionally held in July, typically the third weekend of the month. In 2025, it will be played July 17-20 at Royal Portrush.

How do players qualify for The Open?

Players can qualify through various exemptions including past champions, world rankings, performance in other majors, and through regional and final qualifying tournaments held before the championship.

What is the Claret Jug?

The Claret Jug is the trophy awarded to the Open Champion. Officially called the Golf Champion Trophy, it was first presented in 1873. The winner gets to keep it for a year before returning it.