The Open Championship Quiz
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Does being a professional golfer make you a scholar of the game’s oldest Major? We quizzed some of the game’s biggest names to find out who knows the most about The Open.
The Open Championship is arguably the greatest golf tournament in the world, but just how much do golf’s stars know about the oldest Major?
Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Davis Love II, Jason Day, Stewart Cink, Matt Fitzpatrick, Luke Donald, Charley Hoffman, and Justin Rose each faced the same questions, and while we couldn’t offer the Claret Jug to the winner, there was pride at stake.
While some shone, it was clear that others need to spend more time boning up on their golf history.
Answers are at the bottom of the page, if you want to play along.
1. What is the only course on The Open rota outside the mainland?
MK We went to Ireland a couple of years ago. Royal Portrush.
BS It’s a lovely course I’ve played in Ireland… Royal County Down.
DL (Long pause). That would be Portrush.
JD Royal Portrush.
SC That’s Portrush.
MF Royal Portrush.
LD I’m going to go with where Shane Lowry won but I can’t remember the name.
CH Royal Portrush.
JR Royal Portrush.
2. What is the name of the Open trophy?
MK Claret Jug.
BS No way. Sorry, I’m slow and dumb today.
DL The Claret Jug.
JD Claret Jug.
SC Claret Jug.
MF Claret Jug.
LD Claret Jug.
CH I don’t know, is it the Claret Jug?
JR The Claret Jug.
3. How many Opens has Tom Watson won?
MK Five.
BS Five.
DL Five
JD It’s either four or five. I’ll say four?
SC Five, almost six – he had a good run against someone at Turnberry.
MF Six times.
LD Five.
CH Three? I’ve no idea.
JR Five.
4. Can you name the only Open venue in the south of England?
MK Birkdale. No, Hoylake.
BS Sandwich.
DL Southport & Ainsdale.
JD Ah, no! Where we were last year? Sandwich.
SC St George’s.
MF Royal St George’s.
LD Royal St George’s.
CH Is that Royal Liverpool?
JR Royal St George’s.
5. Which course has staged the most Opens?
MK Let’s go with…Prestwick.
BS It’s got to be St Andrews… I hope!
DL The Old Course.
JD It’s got to be St Andrews, right?
SC (Long pause) It’s St Andrews. I thought that might be a trick question.
MF St Andrews.
LD St Andrews.
CH I’d assume St Andrews.
JR St Andrews.
6. Where was the first Open played?
MK Prestwick.
BS Where I played the British Amateur – Prestwick.
DL I want to say Prestwick. If not, Musselburgh.
JD St Andrews. I’m not great on history.
SC Oh, now this is a tough one. I’m going to have to say Prestwick.
MF I know it, it’s not Prestwick but somewhere near there.
LD Prestwick.
CH I’d assume St Andrews, though I don’t actually think that’s right.
JR Prestwick.
7. Can you name the Great Triumvirate members?
MK No, I cannot even start on this one.
BS Is Old Tom Morris one of them? I can’t even take a guess.
DL Young Tom, Old Tom (Morris), Harry Vardon. You’ve got me on this one.
JD All I can think of is Old and Young Tom Morris.
SC Take your pick from Young Tom Morris, Old Tom, Vardon, Braid.
MF Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones and then pass.
LD I’ll go with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.
CH Nicklaus, Palmer and Player, but I don’t think that’s right.
JR Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen… I really should know this.
8. Who did John Daly dramatically beat in the 1995 play-off at St Andrews?
MK Costantino Rocca.
BS Costantino Rocca.
DL Rocca.
JD Rocca.
SC Rocca.
MF Pass.
LD Rocco Mediate, no Costantino Rocca.
CH Oh… I’m struggling with this one.
JR Costantino Rocca
- THE OPEN: 40 Defining Moments
The Open Quiz: Answers
1. Royal Portrush.
2. The Claret Jug.
3. Five.
4. Royal St George’s.
5. St Andrews.
6. Prestwick.
7. Harry Vardon, James Braid & J.H. Taylor.
8. Costantino Rocca.
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