Future venues for Open named

Royal St George's in Sandwich and Royal Lytham & St Annes have been named as the venues for the 2011 and 2012 Open Championships.

The Kent venue will host the event for the 14th time, the previous one being in 2003 when unknown American Ben Curtis pulled off a surprise one-stroke victory over Thomas Bjorn and Vijay Singh.

Lytham last held the Open in 2001 when American former world number one David Duval finished three ahead of Sweden's Niclas Fasth.

The Lancashire links have been handed the championship for the 11th time.

David Hill, director of championships for the R&A said: "We are delighted the Open is returning to Sandwich and Lytham, both outstanding championship courses that have produced a succession of worthy champions.

"The Open is a huge undertaking for any club and the R&A would therefore like to thank both clubs for their co-operation, which has enabled the championship to return to these two fine venues."