Rolex & The Open: golf’s oldest major

Golf has its grand stages, but none quite like The Open Championship. Born in the dramatic landscapes of Scotland in 1860, it began as a humble competition at Prestwick Golf Club, where a handful of professionals competed for a simple leather belt. Today, it is golf's oldest major championship, a testament to the sport's enduring spirit and evolution. Each July, the world's finest golfers make their way to the United Kingdom's most challenging links courses, where they face not just each other but the raw elements of nature that have shaped this tournament's character for over 160 years.

The partnership between Rolex and golf began in 1967 when Arnold Palmer became the sport’s first Testimonee. Since then, the brand has become Official Timekeeper and is a principal partner of many leading events and stakeholders in the game.

Inaugurated in 1860, The Open is played every year on a historic links course in the United Kingdom, including St Andrews.

Tradition has it that The Open is always played on a links course; that is, one located by the sea, featuring sandy soil and few water hazards or trees. Unpredictable weather conditions mean the 156 players competing in the tournament each year need their fair share of fighting spirit, self-control and humility given the potential for heavy showers, strong wind gusts and even heatwave conditions.

With its unique past, the wild beauty of the coastal courses where it is played and its knowledgeable fans, The Open enjoys a revered place in the history of world sport – from the duels of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in the 1920s to the battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977, or the tears of Tiger Woods upon winning his third trophy in 2006.

Rolex enjoys a privileged relationship with golf, one founded on a shared respect for tradition, responsibility, technical precision, the elegance of movement, the perpetual quest for excellence and a commitment to future generations.

Today, the partnership between Rolex and golf extends to many areas of the sport: with governing bodies and world rankings, with the greatest names in international golf, and with the major tournaments and global circuits – both men’s and women’s, professional and amateur, at senior and junior levels.

Moreover, the brand has also championed the creation of: the Rolex Series, the finest tournaments on the DP World Tour; the Rolex Player of the Year award which recognizes the best woman golfer on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) circuit; and the Rolex Junior Players of the Year awards, which honour players aged 18 or younger, boy and girl, who perform best in a given season. Undeniably, Rolex has become “the partner watch of world golf”.

Several members of the Rolex family of Testimonees belong to the illustrious list of players to have won The Open: Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Francesco Molinari and Collin Morikawa.

What sets The Open apart isn't just its age – it's the enduring spirit of competition. Unlike the manicured perfection of modern golf courses, The Open embraces nature's unpredictability. Here, success demands more than perfect technique and smart strategy; it requires adapting to fierce coastal winds, navigating through sudden squalls, and mastering the art of the low, running shot across firm, fast fairways. The tournament moves between a select rotation of historic venues – from the hallowed grounds of St Andrews to the demanding tests of Royal Troon and Carnoustie – each course adding a chapter to The Open's rich narrative.

At week's end, one golfer hoists the iconic Claret Jug, joining a pantheon of champions whose victories have been forged by skill and their ability to conquer the unique challenges that make The Open truly special. Under the stewardship of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (The R&A), this championship continues to celebrate golf in its purest form, where tradition meets challenge and where every player must contend with both the demanding course and the volatile elements.