And they want to share that event with their friends and family, in an all-encompassing experience. This latter group told us that they love being part of a world-class sporting event. But we also talked to people who simply love our game – as well as fans who love sport in general. So we listened to the people who come here to be part of it. A truth that we have lived out here on links courses for over 150 years: this is golf’s original, timeless test.įor this, our 151st Championship, we wanted to understand what this unique form of the game means to fans and players.

But among all this movement is stillness. Sand dunes swirl, rain cuts cold through gloved hands, and cresting waves carry guillemots and seagulls. The test remains as stern as it ever was. At The Open, our game is played out for the world to see. It is every player’s turmoils and strengths. Links golf is much more than a battle of skill and nerve told in scorecards. There is perfection in every imperfection. These are fairways and greens shaped by nature. Links golf is how our game began, played on unforgiving shores where raw landscape meets the sea.

And it has been this way since the first golfers placed the first tees into the first turf. Here, on the links course, every hole is made new as the wind and weather shifts. Alone, skill and years of diligent preparation are not enough. It’s where champions must set aside what came before. Links golf is nature in all its unforgiving force – and The Open is where nature is pitted against the very best of the very best.

Who invented golf