Why Isn't It Called the British Open Anymore?

By Indra Gunawan July 19, 2024 08:46

Photo by GETTY IMAGES

Few tournaments in golf resonate with the heritage and prestige of The Open Championship. A jewel in the crown of the golfing world, it stands out for its age and the international camaraderie it fosters. Yet, many on the other side of the Atlantic might wonder why the familiar moniker "The British Open" has fallen out of favor.

History & Origin Of The U.K. "British Open"

The Open Championship was at The Prestwick Club in Scotland (1860). At the time, no other significant professional golf tournaments were open to players from around the world, so, obviously, for a British tournament based in Scotland and England, it was known as the Open Championship.

With the growing popularity of golf and new contests such as the U.S. Open in America, a reference to an open championship in Great Britain became Conventionalized as "the British Open." That was a popular way of differentiating between the two main majors, especially with American journalists and fans and some European players.

Why the Name Change?

The R&A had already conducted what the organization describes in its history of The Open Championship as a "phased transition" to changing the name by 2000 or, at the latest, with this year's edition.

The R&A positioned the tournament as the most prestigious open championship in golf and sought to overcome any perception that it was just a "British" event. When the sport expands to be played around the planet, a genuine "Open" championship should accept entries from golfers of any country.

Sometimes American audiences see "British Open" and think it's different from the real thing. The R&A thought that the name change would help delineate exactly what tournament category they were talking about.

The R&A may have changed the title, but they stressed that the tournament would always remain true to its long and colorful history. It was felt that because the championship had been around for so long and played in a wide range of countries, it deserved an equally generic name. However, "The Open Championship" would be more accurate in history.

Resonance and Repercussions

Optimistically, the rebranding has served to get the overall message across for this competition that it is now part of a worldwide fabric. It is now recognized as the world's oldest open championship for any sport and an event open to professionals from all parts of the globe. This is a major reason why the event has been growing and how it still manages to maintain worldwide appeal.

However, the change has been criticized most vociferously in the United States, where many fans and media were used to calling it "The British Open." Others have contended that the new moniker is too formal or contrived and is a less familiar descriptor than "British Open."

The name change has done little to alter the traditions and prestige of the tournament. It is one of golf's four major championships and has been part of the game for more than 150 years, making it a traditional, well-established tournament in the sport.

Its long and established history, iconic traditions, and winning global appeal ensure that The Open remains one of the most eagerly anticipated championships each year. The term The Open Championship was hardly used in the 20th Century before taking hold and becoming a popular feature of the American sports lexicon to specify golf's oldest major.