The Open Championship is one of the four majors that a golfer dreams of playing, along with the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, and Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Championship.
Known outside of the US as the Open Championship or just the Open, it has been hosted every year (sans a few instances) since 1860 on different courses in Scotland, England, and, once, Northern Ireland. This year is all set to take place at the Royal Troon Golf Club from July 18th until July 21st, 2024. In this tournament, we will see the top 156, both professional and amateur players, teeing off and competing against each other to win the Claret Jug!
What is the Open Championship Trophy like?
Just like being a part of the Open Championship is every golfer's dream, so is winning the trophy, Claret Jug. Every year, the winner is given the title of Champion golfer and awarded the trophy. Over the years, it has been claimed by several of the best players in history, including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Seve Ballesteros, to mention a few.
The Claret Jug is about 5.4 pounds in weight and 20 inches tall. Constructed with sterling silver in the design of an eighteenth-century drinking cup, the fabled Jug—or, more accurately, "the Golf Champion Trophy"—remains one of the sport's most iconic awards. However, not many people are aware that the trophy this year's victor will hold high is only a replica of the original. Since 1928, the original Claret Jug has been permanently displayed at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews' clubhouse.
What is the history of the Claret Jug?
Till 1870, winners of the Open Championship didn't receive a Claret Jug. Instead, they were given the Challenge Belt. But soon, things changed. After the 1870s Open, all the link courses and clubs donated £10 to Edinburgh's Mackay Cunningham & Company, and they crafted the very famous Claret Jug, which later was named 'The Golf Champion Trophy'.
Unfortunately for the first recipient though, Young Tom Morris, the winner that year, didn't get the trophy as it wasn't even prepared by then! The 1873 champion, Tom Kidd, was the first to receive the trophy, despite having his name inscribed on the Jug before him.
Before Walter Hagen won in 1928 and received a replica of the Jug, the real Claret Jug was awarded to the Champion Golfer of the Year back then; even to this day, the same custom is being followed: the winner gets the replica of the trophy and not the real Claret Jug.
Where is the real Claret Jug located?
As we know, the winner doesn't get to take the real Claret Jug home, which makes many wonder where the real Claret Jug is placed. There are five official Claret Jugs—four primary copies and the original. The 1873 original is kept permanently in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club clubhouse in St. Andrews, Scotland.
The exact replica was awarded to the Open Champion at a ceremony after their victory in 1928 when Walter Hagen won the title for the third time. The Open Champion kept the replica for himself the following year. Then, in time for the subsequent Open Championship, this replica is given back. After that, the Open Champion is given a personal replica to keep forever. The British Golf Museum in St. Andrews, Scotland, is home to a replica. The last two remaining copies are utilised for international travelling exhibits.
FAQ's On The Open Championship Trophy
A. Winners can order up to three more miniature replicas and receive a full-size replica to retain, but they must return the permanent Claret Jug.
A. The Golf Champion Trophy was fashioned after 19th-century jugs used to pour claret, a dry red wine from the Bordeaux area of France. Hence the name Claret Jug.
A. The Claret Jug was created in 1872, but golf's first Championship was established in 1860.
