The British Open is never a walk in the park, and the seaside links at Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland will be a big challenge for the best golfers in the world. To get you ready for the renowned tournament, we at OddsShark have provided a list of facts and trends about Royal Troon and the event itself.
- The British Open is the only major golf tournament staged outside of North America.
- Willie Park won the inaugural tournament in 1860.
- Royal Troon has been around since 1870. Back then, it's believed the course consisted of only four or five holes.
- This is the ninth time the Open has been staged at Royal Troon.
- The par 3 eighth hole, named Postage Stamp, is only 123 yards long - the shortest hole in British Open history.
- In 2004, the last time the Open was staged at Royal Troon, the eighth hole was one of only three holes to average below par.
- Length off the tee is important at this course. None of the top six finishers in 2004 ranked worse than 15th for driving distance.
- Five of the last six British Open winners participated in the Scottish Open.
- Ten of the previous 11 Open winners have finished in sixth place or better in their most recent time playing in the tournament.
- Since 2000, only four winners hadn't won on either the PGA Tour or the European Tour in the 12 months prior to the event.
- Experience is invaluable at this tournament. Seven of the last 10 winners at the Open have been aged 35 or more.
- Since 2000, only three men went on to win the Open without playing in the event at least six times or finishing in the top six in their career.
- The last six Open winners at Royal Troon have been from the United States.
- Only one of the last 12 Open champions have been outside the top 10 on the leaderboard after the conclusion of the first-round.
