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About Britain’s Open Championship

by Sandy Mitchell on July 5th, 2008

Image details: The 136th Open Championship served by picapp.com

The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale begins on July 17. How much do you know about this venerable tournament? Test your knowledge with these Open Championship facts:

1. Commonly called the British Open in North America, in Britain, the contest is called simply the Open Championship or just “the Open.”

2. The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major men’s championships. It was established in 1860.

3. The most victories by one person in the Open Championship is six by Harry Vardon, from 1896 to 1914.

4. The lowest winning score in the championship was achieved by Greg Norman, with a 267 at Royal St. George’s in 1993.

5. The last wire-to-wire winner was Tom Weiskopf in 1973.

6. St. Andrews has hosted the Open Championship more than any other course–26 times.

7. The original field for the Open Championship in 1860 was just 8 golfers; in 2008, the field is 156.

8. Ties after regulation play in the Open Championship are settled by a four-hole play-off, followed by sudden death play until a winner is determined.

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POSTED IN: british-open