2024 Open Championship Trophy: The Claret Jug’s History and Significance Explored

The tournament “shall be open to the world,” announced the host club, Prestwick. It was done so following the success of the first-ever Open championship in 1860. Now, fast forward 164 years into the present. The 152nd edition of the tournament is set to kick off soon, with top golfers worldwide aiming for the title of The Open champion and its iconic trophy, the Golf Champion Trophy, better known as the Claret Jug!

The various winners of the tournament receive a cut from the prize money, a gold medal, exemptions for various events, and points on the ranking system. Even so, the most iconic symbol of the major event remains the trophy, which didn’t even come into existence till 1872, as per the official records.

Then what was awarded to the golfer who reigned supreme on the field? Well, the champion back then received the Challenge Belt, a reward made from Moroccan leather that was embellished with a silver buckle and emblems. However, rules back then stated that the champion “shall always leave the belt with the treasurer of the club…until it becomes the property of the winner by being won three times in succession.”

Soon after, Tom Morris Jr. won the event three times in a row when he clinched his third Open Championship title in 1870. With the belt in the golfer’s ownership, there was no other prize to be given. Consequently, Prestwick, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club decided in 1872 to award a gold medal to the winner along with a new silver trophy. It was then named the Claret Jug, which was awarded to the champion in the year 1873.

Although Tom Kidd was the first athlete to be awarded the new trophy at the Open, his wasn’t the first name that was engraved on it. Instead, his name on the Cup, made by Mackay Cunningham & Company of Edinburgh, sits below that of Tom Morris Jr., the champion in 1872. Nobody knew that this highly coveted Claret Jug was soon to be replaced with a replica!

What happened to the original Claret Jug of the Open Championship?

Back in 1920, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club accepted all the responsibility for the Open Championship. Soon after, in 1927, they decided to present a replica to the winner instead of the original Claret Jug. The actual trophy, meanwhile, was retained to be kept on permanent display. Interestingly, a total of 28 different golfers were awarded the Cup following their triumph at the Open.

In 1928, a replica of the Jug was awarded to the champion golfer, with Walter Hagen receiving the first of the same. Although the winners are supposed to hand over the trophy, they are awarded a full-size replica in memory of the win and can also order three more copies, albeit in a smaller size. Regardless, it remains one of the most iconic prizes ever to be given in the sport of golf!