All to play for as the the 151st Open returns to Hoylake

The excitement is rising as the countdown to The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool nears its end. The first tee shot is on 20 July with the Claret Jug being awarded on 23 July at Hoylake.

This year's winner will collect a record $3 million in prize money, the highest amount in the tournament's history, with an 18 per cent increase from 2022.

THE VENUE

Royal Liverpool was the inaugural men's amateur championship host in 1885, which became The Amateur Championship.

It played host to the first ever international match between Scotland and England in 1902. It hosted the first Home International matches between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States in 1921, an event which became the Walker Cup.

In fact, it is Royal Liverpool Golf Club's contribution to the amateur game that has set it apart from all other clubs in England.

Although, at the end of the 19th century, it was the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews that took on the role of the governing body in golf as the game developed, it was at Royal Liverpool that the rules of amateur status were laid down.

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Cameron Smith returns as defending champion after last year's one-shot victory at St Andrews.

CONTENDERS

Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm will be among the pre-tournament favourites as they resume their battle at the top of the world rankings.

LAST WINNER AT HOYLAKE

Rory McIlroy arrives looking to end his nine-year major drought, at the venue where he won The Open when it was last held in Hoylake back in 2014, while a host of star names will all be aiming to be crowned Champion Golfer of the Year and lift the Claret Jug.

SOUTH AFRICAN CONTIGENT

Ernie Els will once again lead ten South Africans at Hoylake that includes ameteur golfer Christo Lamprecht, who make his debut after winning the 128th Amateur Championship at Hillside last month.

The 22-year-old said, “It's amazing to get into The Open."