The R&A announced this Thursday that the 155th edition of the Open Championship will be played at St. Andrews from 11 to 18 July 2027. The historic tournament will return to the home of golf for the first time since 2022, when it celebrated 150 editions, enjoying a fantastic victory by Australian Cameron Smith, with a final round of 64 strokes, in a week where no less than 290,000 spectators attended the event of the famous Claret Jug.
Just as this 155th British Open is celebrated, it will mark 100 years since the legendary Bobby Jones won the tournament at St. Andrews in 1927, successfully defending the title he had achieved the previous year at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of the R&A, who took office last month, stated: “I am very excited to make this first announcement at the R&A. I am looking forward to the Open. I am as thrilled about the return to St. Andrews as the fans and players. There is something incredibly special about the Open being played on the Old Course, and many of the great champions have walked these fairways since its first edition in 1873.”
“St. Andrews is the home of golf and creates a unique atmosphere for fans and players, as well as offering an amazing spectacle on television and digitally for millions of viewers worldwide. It promises to be another memorable occasion at one of the sport’s greatest and most historic venues, and we will do everything possible to make it a memorable experience for all participants,” he added.
Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of the St. Andrews Links Trust, said: “We are delighted to work with the R&A, the Scottish Government, and VisitScotland to bring the Open back to St. Andrews in 2027. The 155th Open will be the 31st occasion that The Old Course hosts this great event. The golf courses of the St Andrews Links Trust are open to all and are an intrinsic part of this historic town. We hope that the 155th Open will inspire the journeys of many more golfers who wish to create unforgettable memories in the home of golf.”
The previous Open at St Andrews generated over £300 million in economic benefits for Fife and Scotland, boosting tourism and providing income to local businesses and communities, as well as showcasing the country to a global television audience of over 80 million people.
The Economy Minister, Richard Lochhead, stated: “It is great news for the home of golf. St. Andrews is steeped in golfing history and prestige, and it enjoys a worldwide reputation for its prominence in the game. Hosting the tournament here in 2027 will have a significant and positive economic impact on the region. We know from independent research that the last ten Opens held in Scotland have contributed a total of £1.36 billion to the economy.”
The Old Course at St. Andrews first hosted the Open in 1873, when the 13th edition was played for the first time on an 18-hole course and was won by Tom Kidd. Since then, it has hosted the tournament on 30 occasions, the last being in 2022. Many of the great names in golf history have lifted the famous Claret Jug and been crowned champions at St Andrews, such as JH Taylor, James Braid, Bobby Jones, Peter Thomson, Bobby Locke, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.
