The secretary of Royal Liverpool Golf Club came up with the idea of an amateur event in 1885 to which leading clubs were invited to send entrants. A total of 44 players from 12 clubs took part. Now, 126 years later, 288 players compete for the title, which grants the winner an Open Championship exemption and a US Open and Masters Tournament invitation.

The Boys Amateur Championship was inaugurated by two members of Royal Ascot Golf Club in 1921 and played by competitors under the age of 16, before the age limit was raised to 18 two years later. In 1948, The R&A were invited to take over the administration of the event, the Past Champions of which include Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.