10 things you need to know about The British Open Golf Championships at Royal Liverpool

The British Open Golf Championships will take place on Merseyside in July 2023

We’re just six months away from the 151st British Open Golf Championships, when all eyes will be on Merseyside for one of the world’s most famous tournaments.

In financial terms it’s been estimated the major sporting event will be worth around £100 million to the Liverpool City Region Economic.

While for fans of the game, it’s the chance to see some of the golfing greats compete on one of the most famous and historic courses throughout the globe.

So whether you’re one of the lucky ones with a ticket to the tournament, or you’re just planning to watch it on the telly, here’s 10 things you need to know… 

When are the British Open Golf Championships?

The week-long event will be held from July 16-23.

Where will they be held?

The Championships will be played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake in Wirral.

Who will be there?

Last year’s US Open Championships winner Matt Fitzpatrick is expected to be one of those plotting his way around the course, along with golfing favourite Rory McIlroy. Even Tiger Woods – who won a magnificent victory back in 2006, when the Championship returned to Wirral after a gap of 39 years – has said he hopes to play in the Hoylake Open. 

Can I buy tickets on the day?

No. Unlike 2014, the last time The Open was staged at Hoylake, fans will not be able to buy tickets on the day. The R&A, which organises the tournament, now uses a ticket ballot which was massively over-subscribed last year, but they feel is the fairest way of allocating entry to the course.

I didn’t enter the ballot, can I get a ticket?

If you were unsuccessful in the ballot, or missed the entry window, you may still be able to secure tickets for Hoylake.

Any tickets left were to be offered for sale to members of The One Club, the Open’s free-to-join membership programme. The Open’s official Ticket Resale Platform, where fans can safely buy and sell any unwanted tickets from each other at face value prices, will be launched early this year.

New look course

Spectators and players will get their first look at Royal Liverpool’s new par 3 hole, named Little Eye after one of the three small islands in the Dee Estuary beyond its elevated green. It’s The Open’s 17th hole and, if Hoylake’s famous winds blow, it will present exciting challenges to competitors on the brink of finishing their rounds.

13^th time lucky for someone

The 151st Open will be the 13th time Royal Liverpool has hosted the event. The first was in 1897 when local amateur hero Harold Hilton from West Kirby was crowned Champion Golfer. Following great celebrations in what was then the new clubhouse, Harold placed the trophy under his arm and strolled home.

When was the Royal Liverpool Golf Club founded?

It was founded in 1869 on land which was also used by the Liverpool Hunt Club, and for the first few years of its life it doubled as golf course and racecourse until the horses left for pastures new. The layout of the racecourse is still visible, bordering the Championship’s 3rd and 18th holes – while the saddling bell can be found in the clubhouse, and two holes have racing related names: Course and Stand.

What style course is Royal Liverpool?

Royal Liverpool is a links golf course, the oldest style of course first developed in Scotland, and laid out across sandy coastland.

The Open Trophy

The winner of The Open is presented withThe Claret Jug. Open champion in 1860, Willie Park Sr, was given the Challenge Belt, made from red leather and festooned with silver buckles and emblems. Three consecutive wins by a player entitled him to keep it, which meant that Young Tom Morris, winner in 1868, 69 and 70, became its owner. The following year there was no competition – because there was no trophy to present! When agreement was reached in 1872 to resume the Open that year, the Challenge Belt’s was to be replaced with a silver claret jug, but it wasn’t finished when Young Tom Morris won yet again  – it was 1873 champion Tom Kidd who became the first golfer to actually receive the jug, althoughTom’s name was the first to be engraved on it.

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