10 major moments from Open Championship history

‘Duel in the Sun’ is still The Open’s greatest day, writes Kevin Markham.

1. Modest beginnings

The Open Championship is the oldest of golf’s four Majors. It was first played at Prestwick Golf Club, in 1860. That event saw eight golfers play three rounds of the 12-hole Prestwick in a single day. Willie Park Senior won, beating Old Tom Morris by two strokes. His ‘trophy’ was the Challenge Belt, but this changed to the famous Claret Jug in the 1870s, after Young Tom Morris was allowed to keep the belt following three consecutive victories (1868-1870). In 1870, Young Tom’s financial reward was £6 in old money. Today that equates to £10,600… a far, far cry from the £1.15 million (€1.34m) won by Zach Johnson last year.