The DP World Tour heads to the Home of Golf this week for the much-anticipated 150th Open Championship as the biggest stars in the world of golf gather in St Andrews. Here are your five things to know.
150 not out for golf's first Major
Ever since Willie Park Snr won the first Open Championship in 1860, the event has captured the imagination of golfers around the world. This year it celebrates its 150th staging with a true festival of the game taking place in Scotland. From the days of six-time winner Harry Vardon, through to Peter Thomson and the Big Three, Tom Watson and Seve Ballesteros, and modern greats like Ernie Els, Pádraig Harrington and Tiger Woods, the game will be celebrated by huge crowds in its spiritual homeland.
Home sweet home
While Prestwick may have hosted the first 12 editions of The Open, the event will always be most greatly associated with the Old Course at St Andrews. Since hosting its first Open in 1873, St Andrews has held a further 28, making this year its 30th. Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Thomson, Ballesteros and Sir Nick Faldo have all triumphed on the hallowed turf, with Jack Nicklaus and Woods the only players to win twice at The Old Course. Who will be holding the Claret Jug on the Swilcan Bridge this time?
Tiger aiming for history
"It's my favourite course in the world" is what Woods answers when asked about St Andrews. His last two completed events were both at the Masters Tournament in 2020 and 2022 and he had to withdraw from this years' US PGA Championship mid-event. He did not tee it up at the U.S. Open as he continued to struggle with injury after his serious car accident but there was never any doubt he would he beading to Scotland. After victories in 2000 and 2005, there will be few golf fans in the world who would not want to see the comeback king make one more and win his 16th Major title.
Morikawa looks to defend Claret Jug
Collin Morikawa will be looking to become the first player since Harrington in 2008 to successfully defend the title and join an illustrious list including the likes of Woods, Nicklaus, Watson, Thomson and Arnold Palmer. He may have missed the cut in his last appearance at the Genesis Scottish Open but the reigning European Number One has two top fives in Majors in 2022 and will certainly not be overawed on his first professional appearance at the Home of Golf.
MacIntyre leads home hopes
No Scot has won The Open since Paul Lawrie in 1999 but Robert MacIntyre has two top tens from his two appearances at Royal Portrush and Royal St George's. He is also sure to have the fans behind him after admitting that the Genesis Scottish Open and this week was the most important spell of the season for him. Lawrie will also be teeing it up alongside another Scot in David Law, who said it was a "dream come true" to seal his place in the field at the Horizon Irish Open.
