Often described as the major that all golfers aspire to win, the Open Championship is the oldest of the four majors, and arguably the most prestigious. Since first being played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, Scotland, the tournament has gone from strength to strength. For many golf enthusiasts, there is no better site than the sport’s elite battling to win the claret jug at some of the most challenging links courses in the world.

This year, the tournament returns to the course that is known as “The Home of Golf”. The 144^th playing of the tournament will take place from the 16^th to the 19^th of July and is the first time that it will have been played at St. Andrews since Louis Oosthuizen’s victory in 2010. To put things in perspective as to how much both the tournament and the game of golf have progressed- there was no cash prize for the first three tournaments played, while the prize money for the 2014 event was £5.4 million in total, with £950,000 going to the winner, Rory McIlroy.

This year’s Open Championship is certain to be an excellent event, particularly with the participation of American, Jordan Spieth. Currently the world number two, Spieth has the opportunity to join a select group who have won three majors in a row, and to be the first to record a calendar grand slam of all four majors.

This infographic aims to provide interesting information on the history of the Open Championship, as well as providing a guide to anyone planning on attending the 144^th Open at St. Andrews.

http://www.linksgolf-ireland.com/englands-top-golf-courses-d.html