Who won the last British Open at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club?

The Royal Liverpool Golf Club, located in Wirral, Merseyside, England, was established in 1869 on the former Liverpool Hunt Club’s racecourse. The esteemed “Royal” title was granted in 1871 thanks to Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught’s patronage and Queen Victoria’s younger son. The original course was designed by Robert Chambers and George Morris, Old Tom Morris’s younger brother, and expanded to 18 holes in 1871. Harry Colt, a renowned golf course architect, redesigned the course in the early 1900s, and it has subsequently undergone periodic changes, primarily in response to advances in golfing equipment.

British Open at the Royal Liverpool

The Royal Liverpool played a crucial role in the history of golf. It was the first venue to host the men’s amateur championship in 1885, which later evolved into The Amateur Championship. Notably, it hosted the inaugural international match between Scotland and England in 1902. Moreover, it served as the venue for the first Home International matches between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States in 1921, which later transformed into the prestigious Walker Cup.

The Open tournament occurs on a coastal links golf course, such as the one at Royal Liverpool. This type of golf is considered the most authentic, as it reflects the original way the game was played in Scotland during the 15th century. The terrain is usually open and without many trees, with rolling hills and sand as the foundation. These courses are often shaped by nature rather than being man-made. The weather, especially the wind, is a significant factor. Although there is usually a prevailing onshore breeze, it can change direction and intensity during the tournament, requiring the players to adjust their game accordingly.

The Royal Liverpool Golf Club has hosted the Open Championship 12 times in the past and is set to host the event again in July 2023.

The last British Open winner at the Royal Liverpool

In 2014, the Open Championship marked the 143rd edition of the event. It took place from July 17th to 20th at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Merseyside, England.

The Northern Ireland player, Rory McIlroy, emerged victorious, winning his first Open Championship title with a two-stroke lead over Rickie Fowler and Sergio García. McIlroy achieved a remarkable feat by leading throughout all four tournament rounds, making him the sixth golfer to achieve such a wire-to-wire victory. With this victory, he earned his third major title, winning the U.S. Open in 2011 and the PGA Championship in 2012. McIlroy made history by becoming the first European to win three major tournaments. He joined the ranks of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only three players to win three majors before the age of 25 since the Masters Tournament began in 1934.