Opening Golf to the World
Test your knowledge
The Open is golf’s original Championship. Played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, it is the sport’s most international major championship with qualifying events on every continent.
For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion after his dominant performance at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in 2025. Who will be crowned Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Birkdale? Test your knowledge of The Open Championship, The R&A, and the game of golf in our quiz below.
The Open Silver Medal
Q. Think you know Justin Rose’s total score from his Silver Medal winning performance in Birkdale?
Answer: 282 With huge crowds surrounding Birkdale’s iconic 18th hole, the then-17-year-old Englishman holed out from the rough for birdie to seal his Silver Medal and earn a tie for fourth place. It was a week Rose announced himself to the golfing world and remains one of the most memorable amateur performances in history. On his experience at Birkdale in 1998, Rose said previously, "I’m so grateful now, knowing that I’ve had what I feel is a successful career that I’m proud of, I’m so grateful that I feel like I’ve done a good job living up to that moment, and I’m able to look back at it with fond memories, and go ‘wow, that was the start of something great’." Watch our exclusive film Justin Rose: Chasing Forever featuring exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes access and four decades of archive footage, exploring the people and moments that continue to fuel Justin's pursuit of the Claret Jug.The R&A offers exemptions into The Open through various routes including at some of the world’s leading amateur championships.
Discover our championships schedule here.
Free relief
Q. Palmer’s thunderously struck six iron from a blackberry bush, not only paved the way for his first Claret Jug but led to a plaque commemorating his infamous shot.
When playing Royal Birkdale, your ball comes to rest near Arnold Palmer's commemorative plaque and when taking your next stroke your stance is on the plaque. What can you do?
Answer: Take free relief from the plaque by dropping a ball within one club-length, not nearer the hole, from the nearest point of complete relief.
While you get free relief from his plaque today, Palmer had no such luxury when he made history here in 1961. Arriving at Royal Birkdale with a clear mission. “The Open and I had some unfinished business,” he said at the time.
The defining moment of the American's victory came at the 15th hole (now the 16th). With that stroke of genius, Palmer fulfilled his dream of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year, sparking a golf boom back home in the US via transatlantic broadcast.
You might not have to hit out of a blackberry bush today, but knowing your local ground rules can save your scorecard explore our Rules section to master your options for every tricky lie.
Unplayable ball relief
Q. During The 146th Open, Jordan Spieth’s tee shot finished right of the fairway in long grass. He elected to take unplayable ball relief and dropped a ball back-on-the-line ending on the practice ground.
When taking unplayable ball relief, which one of the following is NOT an option?
Answer: Drop a ball on the fairway at the same distance from the hole as the ball.
Spieth's now-legendary escape on the 13th, where he spent nearly 30 minutes determining his relief options before hitting a recovery shot from the practice ground equipment trucks, sparked an incredible charge to the Claret Jug. He carded birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie over the next four holes to win The 146th Open by three shots, becoming the second-quickest male player in history behind Jack Nicklaus to win three major titles.
The American's historic recovery proved just how critical a thorough understanding of relief options can be during a round.
To ensure you always know your next move when a tee shot goes astray, download our Rules of Golf App to keep the complete rulebook right in your pocket.
The 154th Open
Royal Birkdale, England
The Open was last held at Royal Birkdale in 2017 when Jordan Spieth clinched a dramatic victory to lift the Claret Jug. Birkdale was established in 1889 but redesigned in 1922 to create the current layout, which winds its way through sand dunes towering over each fairway. Since first hosting The Open in 1954, it has been the most regular venue, other than St Andrews.
Holes
18
Par
72
Length
6,690
Founded
1889
Country
England
R&A TV
Highlights
Relive the best moments from Scottie Scheffler's emphatic victory at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.