Welcome to our article about the unique golf tournament known as the British Open, or simply “the Open”. Ever wondered where the name comes from and what the Open has to offer?
Well, here we open with the answer to the question “Why is the British Open called the Open?” as well as some of its fascinating history. So get ready as we delve into the world of the Open – first played way back in 1860 – and overcome any mysteries you’ve had surrounding this truly remarkable tournament.
Why is British Open called the Open?
The British Open, also known as the Open Championship, is one of the four major golf tournaments and is the oldest of all major championships.Established in 1860, it is the oldest golf major championship in existence. But why does it have the ‘Open’ in its title?
History
The tournament was founded by a group of 10 clubs in 1860 under the name ‘The Golf Championship’.The main concept behind the tournament was to bring players from all parts of the world to compete on some of the best courses in the United Kingdom, as part of a single event. That’s why the first use of the word ‘Open’ appeared in its title, to emphasize that the tournament was open for anyone to play and not just for the members of the clubs.
Pros and Amateurs
The Open Championship for the first time allowed professional and amateur golfers to compete together. By the mid-1950s the tournament had become firmly established as one of the four major golf championships and was becoming increasingly popular with golfers from around the world. It was decided that the tournament should be opened up to collaboration with all nations in a bid to bolster the tournament’s prestige.The tournament was then renamed the ‘The Open Championship of Golf’ and it was announced that anyone, whether they were amateur or professional, could enter the tournament. This marked the true beginning of the ‘Open’ as we know it today.
R&A Open
Since then, the tournament has been hosted by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), the oldest and most prestigious golf club in the world. The rules are set by the R&A and the tournament is run with their authority.This is why the tournament is often referred to as the R&A Open Championship or simply ‘the Open’ instead of its original name. The Open Championship is officially the ‘open’ because anyone can enter the tournament to compete against some of the best players from around the world.