THE OPEN RETURNS TO ROYAL LIVERPOOL

PREVIEW BY: ALI BROOKS, FLG EDITOR

Unrivalled in tradition and history, The Open Championship is the final of the four majors to be played every year. As the world’s oldest golf tournament, it challenges its competitors to tackle the wind-swept fairways of links golf, in the hope of raising one of the game’s most iconic trophies – the Claret Jug.

Engraved with the names of golf's greatest stars, every player dreams of being heralded as the Champion Golfer of the Year. This year the tournament, now in its 151st year, heads to Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake to be played between 20-23rd July.

IMAGE CREDIT: Liam Allan/R&A/R&A via Getty Images

The venue has hosted The Open twelve times before, for the first time in 1897 and most recently in 2014. That year, Irish superstar Rory McIlroy lifted the trophy, clinching his first Open Championship with a two-shot victory over Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler. Legends of the game to have won at Royal Liverpool include Tiger Woods (2006), Bobby Jones (1930) and Walter Hagen (1924). Woods famously used his driver just once during his victory.

Last year, Cameron Smith lifted the Claret Jug at St Andrews, Scotland, after equalling the lowest score to par in major championship history at -20. He then left the PGA Tour in favour of LIV Golf, potentially jeopardising his chances of winning another Open, due to the ongoing PGA conflict. However, any fears the Australian might have had were alleviated in February this year, when the R&A announced that qualifying LIV Golf members will be allowed to compete at Royal Liverpool, ensuring Smith will be eligible to defend his title. There’ excitement and anticipation in the build-up to any major, but this year’s Open already contains the ingredients required for a Starting with the course, several holes at Royal Liverpool have undergone significant changes since 2014, including the 17th and 18th. These have been redesigned to produce a thrilling and dramatic finish to the tournament. Off the course, the simmering rivalry between LIV Golf and PGA Tour members continues to intrigue. And needless to say, the presence of Tiger Woods - who has confirmed his plans to play in all four majors this year - is sure to bring in the crowds.

11th Hole at Royal Liverpool GC

IMAGE CREDIT: Kevin Murray and Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

18th Hole at Royal Liverpool GC

IMAGE CREDIT: Kevin Murray and Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

As has been the trend in golf since LIV shook things up, the purse at this year’s Open will likely be an eyewatering amount. Although the 2023 prize pot has yet to be announced at the time of writing, last year’s total prize fund was a staggering $14 million (£11.5 million), with Smith pocketing $2.5 million (£2 million) for his victory. Players from Europe and America will also be vying for valuable Ryder Cup points, with the biennial competition being played in Rome this September.

With many golfers enjoying fruitful seasons, it'll be hard to predict who'll be walking away with the spoils. The world number one spot has already changed hands four times this year (as of midMarch) and several golfers have won multiple times this season, including Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Max Homa and Viktor Hovland. If recent history is anything to go by, the last nine winners have all lifted the Claret Jug for the first time, but then again the Open is anything but predictable, which makes for exhilarating viewing.