Open confirmed as coming home to St Andrews in 2015

A FIVE-YEAR cycle that has been in place since 1990 will continue when the Open Championship is held for the 29th time at St Andrews in 2015, but it remains to be seen if that will still be the case for 2020.

The 150th staging of the event is due to be held in 2021 and, just as the 150th anniversary (different to “staging” due to the War years) of the world’s oldest major was celebrated on the Old Course, it is believed the R&A is also keen to mark the next milestone at the home of golf. That said, the 100th Open Championship was held at Royal Birkdale in 1971, when American Lee Trevino got his hands on the Claret Jug for the first time before retaining the title the following year at Muirfield.

As per the R&A’s policy with the event, an announcement about the 2020 venue is unlikely to be made until around three or four years in advance.

But, despite speculation that the R&A might break the five-year cycle, it is definitely heading back to the Auld Grey Toon in four years’ time, having been added to the rota after Royal Lytham (2012), Muirfield (2013) and Royal Liverpool (2014).

“St Andrews has proved time and again that it is perfectly equipped to host The Open and I am certain we will yet again see a worthy winner lift the Claret Jug,” said Peter Dawson, the R&A’s chief executive.

“Players, spectators and officials alike will welcome a return to the game’s spiritual home and I fully expect that we will witness another thrilling championship.”

The value of The Open to the local economy was illustrated when South African Louis Oosthuizen sprung a shock over the Old Course to win his first major last year. Independent research, commissioned jointly by the R&A and EventScotland, found the event delivered a combined £100 million benefit to Scotland, with £40.1m going into the coffers in and around St Andrews.

Euan Loudon, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “There is always a special sense of anticipation when The Open is played on the Old Course and it promises to be no different in 2015.

“There is no more fitting celebration of the rich heritage of the home of golf than hosting golf’s oldest major championship.”