How many times has the British Open been played at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club?

The 151st British Open tees off in the wee hours of Thursday morning as defending champion Cameron Smith and the rest of the field will set out with the goal of lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday from Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

A “Royal” history

Like so many of the courses that host The Open, Royal Liverpool has a rich history in the sport and with this particular tournament. The links style course was founded back in 1869, and two years later it earned it’s “Royal” decree after Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Arthur, served as a patron.

The course has been tweaked from time to time, but it’s essence remains the same. It’s a long, Par 72 course with deep bunkers and stiff winds, rolling fairways and plenty of shrub that will be sure to punish players who fail to keep the seldom drive, and iron shots in the safe zones of the course. It’s generally a wet, soggy course, and this weekends forecast calls for plenty of rain, and wind for the next few days.

Royal Liverpool has kept it’s traditions true after more than 160 years, and the countless tournaments that have been played there over the last century and a half. The first tournament to ever grace the Royal Liverpool grounds was The Amateur Championship which was played in 1885. Since then, then world of golf has zeroed in on the Merseyside links course continuously hosting The Open Championship, Women’s British Opens, and Walker Cups.

Hilton starts rich tradition at Royal Liverpool

In 1897, Royal Liverpool hosted The Open Championship for the first time, 28 years after it’s inauguration. With a four day total of 314, Amateur Harold Hilton won the second British Open and the first at the Merseyside course taking home the Claret Jug and £30 for finishing at the top of the leader board.

Since then the Royal grounds have played host to The Open 11 other times. Legends like Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones and Tiger Woods have conquered the British Open in northwest England. The last time The Open was played at Royal Liverpool was back in 2014 when Rory McIlroy shot a 17 under 271 to take the Claret Jug.

That was the penultimate major the icon from North Ireland would win. He will be looking to snap a spell of almost a decade without a a major title, and what better place to do it then at the 13th Open Championship in Royal Liverpool history?