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Quizzes > Sports

British Open trivia: Test your knowledge

Quick, free The Open Championship quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Hossein MajzoubUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art quiz banner for British Open golf with golfer swinging club on fairway and clubhouse flag on coral background

This British Open trivia quiz helps you check your recall of champions, famous links, and clutch moments from The Open. Play at your own pace and, if you want more, practice with golf quiz questions or dive into broader golf trivia. See how many you can get right.

What is the traditional trophy awarded to the winner of the British Open Championship?
Silver Putter
Claret Jug
Champion's Bowl
Gold Cup
The winner of The Open receives the Claret Jug, officially known as the Golf Champion Trophy, which has been presented since 1873. It is one of the most iconic trophies in golf, symbolizing victory in the oldest major. No other trophy is traditionally linked to the British Open in the same way.
In what year was the first British Open Championship held?
1880
1892
1873
1860
The inaugural Open Championship took place in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Eight professional players competed for the Challenge Belt during that first event. This makes The Open the oldest of the four majors in men's golf.
Where was the first British Open Championship held?
Prestwick Golf Club
Muirfield
St Andrews Links
Royal Troon
Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland hosted the very first Open Championship in 1860. It remained the sole venue until 1870, after which the tournament rotated among other courses. Prestwick's role is central to the history of The Open.
What is the nickname commonly used for the British Open Championship?
PGA Championship
U.S. Open
The Masters
The Open
Officially titled The Open Championship, it is most often referred to simply as "The Open". It is distinct from other national opens due to its status as the oldest major. The nickname emphasizes its heritage and global recognition.
In which country is St Andrews, home to the iconic Old Course, located?
Ireland
Scotland
England
Wales
St Andrews, famous for the Old Course, is located in Scotland. It is widely regarded as the "home of golf" due to its documented history dating back to the 15th century. The Open has been held there many times, reinforcing its central role in the sport.
How many major championships are contested in men's professional golf, including The Open?
3
5
4
6
There are four major championships in men's professional golf: The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The Open is the third major of the calendar year and the only one played outside the United States. Together, these four set the highest standards for professional play.
What type of course is the British Open Championship traditionally played on?
Inland
Desert
Parkland
Links
The Open is played on links courses, characterized by seaside dunes, few trees, and firm turf. This style of course originated in Scotland and offers unique challenges such as wind exposure and deep bunkers. Links golf is central to the heritage of The Open.
Which organization is the official governing body of The Open Championship?
The R&A
USGA
PGA Tour
European Tour
The R&A, based in St Andrews, governs The Open Championship and sets its rules and course standards. Originally the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews handled administration until 2004 when The R&A was formed. The R&A also organizes many other global golf events.
Who holds the record for the most wins at The Open Championship?
Tom Watson
Jack Nicklaus
Harry Vardon
Tiger Woods
Harry Vardon won The Open six times between 1896 and 1914, the most by any player. Tom Watson ranks second with five victories, followed by James Braid and John Henry Taylor. Vardon's record has stood for over a century.
Who won the British Open Championship in 2019?
Shane Lowry
Rory McIlroy
Francesco Molinari
Tiger Woods
Shane Lowry claimed his first major title at Royal Portrush in 2019, finishing six strokes clear of the field. His victory made him the first Irishman to win The Open since 1947. The win was widely celebrated across Ireland and the golf world.
What is the nickname of the 17th hole at the Old Course in St Andrews?
Valley of Sin
Tiger Trap
Hell Bunker
Road Hole
The 17th hole at St Andrews is known as the Road Hole, famed for its tee shot over the Old Course Hotel rooftop and the deep Road Hole bunker guarding the green. It is often cited as one of golf's most difficult and iconic holes.
In which decade did Tiger Woods win his first Open Championship?
2000s
1990s
1980s
2010s
Tiger Woods won his first and only Open Championship to date in 2000 at St Andrews. His victory was by an astonishing 8 strokes, and he finished at 19-under par. This win is considered one of the most dominant performances in major history.
Which golfer famously collapsed on the 18th hole with a three-shot lead in the 1999 Open?
Paul Lawrie
Tom Watson
Nick Faldo
Jean van de Velde
Jean van de Velde held a three-shot lead on the 18th at Carnoustie in 1999 but recorded a triple bogey, dropping into a playoff which he lost to Paul Lawrie. The collapse is one of the most memorable in golf history. Lawrie ultimately won the title by three shots.
Who was the first amateur golfer to win The Open Championship?
Bobby Jones
Fred Perry
Walter Hagen
Gene Sarazen
Bobby Jones remains the only amateur to win The Open, achieving this feat in 1930 at Royal Liverpool. He completed the Grand Slam that year, winning all four major amateur and professional tournaments of his era. His success elevated amateur golf's prominence worldwide.
Which golfer won The Open by a record 12 strokes in 2000?
Greg Norman
Phil Mickelson
Tiger Woods
Nick Faldo
Tiger Woods's 15-under par total in 2000 gave him a 12-stroke victory at St Andrews, the largest margin in any major championship. This dominant performance underscored his place as the world's top golfer at age 24. It remains a benchmark for major victories.
Who denied Jack Nicklaus his sixth Open Championship at Turnberry in 1977?
Seve Ballesteros
Gary Player
Tom Watson
Arnold Palmer
Tom Watson overtook Jack Nicklaus down the stretch at Turnberry in 1977, winning by two strokes in what became known as the "Duel in the Sun." Neither golfer trailed by more than one shot from the 8th tee onward, making it one of the greatest head-to-head battles.
What is the lowest score in relation to par ever recorded by a champion at The Open?
-17
-20
-19
-18
Henrik Stenson's 264 at Royal Troon in 2016 equaled an Open aggregate record and stands at 20-under par for the championship. This beat the previous to-par record by one stroke. His duel with Phil Mickelson in the final round is one of the all-time classics.
Which course hosted The Open in 1962, featuring a demanding links layout on Scotland's west coast?
Muirfield
Royal Troon
Carnoustie
Prestwick
Royal Troon, known for its challenging Postage Stamp hole and ever-present wind, hosted The Open in 1962. The course's links nature tests players' ability to manage low, running shots. It remains one of the permanent venues on the rota.
Who was the first left-handed golfer to win The Open Championship?
Mike Weir
Phil Mickelson
Bubba Watson
Bob Charles
Bob Charles of New Zealand became the first left-handed major champion when he won The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1963. His smooth, consistent swing set a standard for left-handed golfers worldwide. He remains the only lefty to win this major to date.
In which year was The Open Championship first broadcast live on television?
1947
1965
1955
1937
The BBC provided live television coverage of The Open for the first time in 1955 at St Andrews. This marked a turning point in bringing major golf to global audiences. Prior to that, only newsreels and highlights were shown.
Which edition of The Open is famously called the "Duel in the Sun"?
1992
1977
1986
1966
The 1977 Open at Turnberry between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus featured consecutive rounds in the high 60s, with neither player trailing by more than one shot after the 8th hole on Sunday. Their head-to-head battle in bright sunshine earned it the nickname "Duel in the Sun." It is widely regarded as one of golf's greatest showdowns.
Which hole at Carnoustie is nicknamed "Hogan's Alley"?
6th hole
15th hole
12th hole
8th hole
The 6th hole at Carnoustie is called Hogan's Alley in honor of Ben Hogan's stellar performance there during the 1953 Open, even though he finished fourth overall. The hole's challenging design rewards precision iron play. It remains one of the course's signature holes.
Who is the oldest player to have won The Open Championship, securing victory at age 46?
Harry Vardon
John Henry Taylor
Old Tom Morris
Tom Watson
Old Tom Morris won The Open at Prestwick in 1867 at the age of 46, making him the oldest winner in its history. His victory came four years after the first championship. Morris's record still stands more than 150 years later.
What unusual weather phenomenon delayed the final round of the 1969 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes until Monday?
Snow
Fog
Heatwave
Sandstorm
Dense sea fog rolled in during the 1969 Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, making play impossible on Sunday and forcing the final round to be completed on Monday. The delay was one of the few times in modern Open history that play extended into an extra day. Today, championship committees build in buffers for such weather disruptions.
What is the lowest 72-hole aggregate score ever recorded at The Open Championship?
264
269
263
270
Henrik Stenson's 264 at Royal Troon in 2016 set the 72-hole aggregate record for The Open. He equaled the existing stroke-total mark but did so at 20-under par. It remains the lowest stroke total in the championship's history.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall iconic champions -

    Summarize achievements of legendary British Open winners and their signature victories.

  2. Identify legendary courses -

    Recognize key features and historical significance of renowned Open Championship venues.

  3. Analyze epic moments -

    Evaluate pivotal shots and records that defined unforgettable British Open trivia events.

  4. Differentiate fact from myth -

    Distinguish between true British Open trivia and common misconceptions in golf history.

  5. Apply strategic insights -

    Explain how weather and course strategy influenced outcomes in Open Championship quizzes.

  6. Assess your trivia skills -

    Measure your knowledge level by comparing quiz results with fellow golf enthusiasts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Claret Jug Legacy -

    Since 1873, the iconic Claret Jug has symbolized triumph at the Open Championship, making it a must-know in any British Open Championship trivia quiz. According to the R&A official archives, the original silverware weighs 7.3 pounds and was first awarded to Young Tom Morris in 1873, offering a rich historical note for trivia buffs.

  2. Signature R&A Courses -

    Familiarity with legendary layouts like St Andrews' Old Course and Royal Birkdale is essential for British Open trivia, as memorable holes often feature in quiz questions. For example, St Andrews' 17th "Road Hole" plays at 495 yards and is renowned for its challenging bunker and road hazard, a detail curated from the R&A course guides.

  3. Scoring Records and Formulas -

    Understanding how aggregate scores relate to par helps in a golf championship quiz; Henrik Stenson's 270 ( - 20) at Royal Troon 2016 set a modern scoring benchmark. Use the formula Total Strokes - (Par × Rounds) = Score to Par, and remember the mnemonic "Minus Twenty Makes History" to lock in record data.

  4. Legendary Champions Mnemonics -

    Key champions like Young Tom Morris (first winner in 1860), Harry Vardon (six titles), and Tiger Woods (2000 champ) span eras and often appear in British Open questions. Use the memory hook "Morris, Vardon, Woods" to recall these pivotal figures in Open Championship trivia.

  5. Weather's Impact on Play -

    Weather can swing results dramatically, with R&A meteorological studies showing wind and rain at Muirfield can add three to five strokes per round for most competitors. Keep the phrase "Winds Pick Leaders' Pockets" handy to answer any British Open Championship trivia question about the tournament's elements of weather challenge.

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