The Old Course, St Andrews to host 150th Open in 2021

The R&A have confirmed that the 150th Open will be played at St Andrews, being played at the home of golf from 11-18th July, 2021.

It was news that was expected after Royal St Georges was announced as the 2020 host of The Open, but it has been today confirmed that the 30th time the Old Course will host the contest will be another big anniversary milestone for the major. 

Since 1990 The Open has been hosted in St Andrews every five years, but there is to be an exception on this occasion in order for the first ever host venue to also be the 150th.

➤ Hurley III pokes fun at Spieth in hilarious campaign video
➤ 2018 Driver Test: Rogue vs M4 vs G400 Max
➤ Tiger ‘fired up to return to Riviera’
➤ Could all links courses be washed away by 2100? 

The last time the major was played in St Andrews was in 2015, when Zach Johnson defied difficult weather conditions to win his second major title, defeating Marc Leishman and 2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen in a four-hole play-off.  

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The Open holds a very special place in the hearts of golf and sports fans around the world. The Championship enjoys a historic and celebrated relationship with the Old Course in St Andrews and we are excited to be marking the occasion of the 150th Championship at the home of golf in 2021.

“St Andrews has produced a revered group of outstanding Champion Golfers since The Open was first played on the Old Course in 1873. Once again we look forward to seeing the greatest players take on the challenge of the world’s most iconic links course in their pursuit of the Claret Jug.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said, “As the world’s oldest and most prestigious professional golf championship, The Open is synonymous with both St Andrews and Scotland and I’m delighted St Andrews will welcome its 150th staging in 2021.

“The Open is without doubt one of the biggest events held in Scotland on a regular basis, drawing huge spectator attendance from outwith the country and providing a global media and broadcast platform to promote our outstanding golfing assets to future visitors.

“Through VisitScotland, we continue to support The Open and we will work with The R&A to deliver a Championship in 2021 befitting of its historical significance.”

Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said, “There can be no more fitting celebration of the rich heritage of the Home of Golf and its relationship with the world’s oldest major championship than as host of The 150th Open.

“It is always special when The Open returns to the Old Course and I am sure that excitement, both here in St Andrews and around the world, will build in anticipation of this special occasion.

“Almost every great champion in the game has played on our famous Links and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of golfing greats for The 150th Open.”

The Old Course first hosted The Open in 1873 when the 13th Championship was played over an 18-hole course for the first time and was won by Tom Kidd.

Since then, the historic links has witnessed some of golf’s most notable players go on to become Champion Golfer of the Year including JH Taylor, James Braid, Bobby Jones, Peter Thomson, Bobby Locke, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
The 150th Open will be played from 11-18 July 2021.

Next Four Opens

2018: Carnoustie
2019: Royal Portrush
2020: Royal St George’s
2021: St Andrews