THE Claret Jug will be raised THIS WEEKEND when the winner of The Open is revealed.
But how was the trophy presented at one of golf’s biggest tournaments?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Claret Jug?
The Claret Jug is officially known as the Golf Champion Trophy. It was made by Mackay Cunningham & Company of Edinburgh and was hallmarked in 1873. The jug was first presented to winner of The Open, Tom Kidd, in the same year. But the 1972 winner, Tom Morris Junior, was the first man to have his name engraved.
Was the Claret Jug always the trophy given to the winner of The Open?
No – the initial award was called the Challenge Belt and was awarded between 1860 and 1972. The reason for the belt being removed is that the tournament rules stipulated that whoever won The Open three times in a row would keep it. In 1870, Tom Morris Junior won three consecutive titles and became the owner of the belt. The following year the tournament was not played and in 1872 a medal was awarded to the winner. The 1872 tournament was played at three clubs – Prestwick, the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. The Edinburgh clubs agreed to donate £10 each towards a new trophy, which they agreed would be a jug of blood. In 1873, the Golf Champion Trophy was presented for the first time.
Who are the most famous Wags in golf?
The world’s best golfers enjoy an incredible lifestyle – and their Wags lead their own exciting lives.
Here are some of the best known beauties…
- A master golfer rushed home after his latest triumph to be by his wife’s side as she gave birth to their first child.
- Playing with a handicap of three, this sports reporter could give her friend a run for her money on the greens.
- This low-key beauty married a superstar golfer in front of Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin and Niall Horan.
- A former gymnast who has been her husband’s rock for 14 years – he even pays tribute to her on his golf balls.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
