24 Hours at The Open

Tell us about the Open’s rich history.

On 17 October 1860, eight professional golfers assembled at Prestwick for a tournament to determine who would be the Champion Golfer and receive the Challenge Belt. The competitors played three rounds of 12 holes, with Willie Park Snr. beating Old Tom Morris by two shots. A year later, Prestwick announced that the tournament should be open to all.

Today, The Open is still considered the place where reputations are built and history is made as the world’s top-ranking players battle it out for the title of Champion Golfer of the Year.

How long has Royal Liverpool participated in the Open?

This year, the 151st Open takes place at Royal Liverpool from 16-23 July, in Hoylake, Wirral, England. The Open was first hosted there in 1897, and legends like Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy are among those who won the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool.

Robert Chambers and George Morris laid out the original Hoylake nine-hole course, which was opened in 1869 and extended to 18 holes two years later. In 1871, the Club was granted its royal designation, thanks to the patronage of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught.

For the first seven years, the links land still performed its original function, doubling as a golf course and a horse racing track - indeed, echoes of this heritage can be found today in the names of the first and eighteenth holes, Course and Stand, while the original saddling bell still hangs in the clubhouse.

What’s new at Royal Liverpool’s links?

Tweaks throughout the course, with additional bunkering, harsher run-off areas in places, new tees, and an eye-catching new hole, will keep players on their toes this year.

Hoylake’s new 17th hole, ‘Little Eye’, is a stunning creation at just 140 yards, with an infinity green on a par-3 that plays directly out towards the ocean.

These are all part of a day at The Open. Upon arrival, the first thing that typically strikes spectators is the sheer scale of this premier golf event. But as soon as you walk in, you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of it all.

The days start early with gates opening at 6:00 am on Day One with the first tee-off of Round One taking place shortly after. Spectators can watch the action from the grandstands located throughout the course, from one of the large screens at the Spectator Village with some food and drinks, or from a private balcony in one of the Origins Premium Experiences that are available.

The 151st Open promises to be a thrilling and competitive sporting spectacle, where Rory McIlroy will look to defend his title, having won The Open in 2014 when it was last played at Royal Liverpool. Can he keep the world-class field at bay to lift the Claret Jug on Championship Sunday? He will be up against the unpredictable elements of Links golf as well as some of the world’s top players such as Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth to name a few. The competition will undoubtedly be fierce.

The green is raised above the player, and the sea of bunkers and fall-off areas provide a striking scene. It is essential to hit the green, as any miss will leave a tricky up and down. Once on the green, the undulations are considerable, and making putts is not easy, nor is finding the right location with the tee shot.

What can spectators expect during a day spent at this year’s Championship?

Unrivalled golfing action. Guaranteed drama. An unforgettable atmosphere.

With play continuing well into the early evening, there are plenty of activities on offer to keep fans entertained including free 15-minute lessons with a PGA professional at The Open Swingzone. Overall, spectators can look forward to a world-class display of golf and hospitality.

Don’t miss your chance to soak up the spectacular on-course views and nail-biting atmosphere.

For more information visit The Open’s website www.theopen.com or to find out more about the premium experiences on offer, please contact Ross Campbell on RossCampbell@TheOpen.com or call +44 (0)1334 460090.