The Open Championship

The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is administered by The R&A and is the only major outside the United States and held in United Kingdom. The Open is currently the third major of the year, following The Masters, The US Open, and The PGA Championship. The current champion is Zach Johnson.

Zach Johnson won the 144^th Open at the old course at St. Andrews in 2015. Johnson defeated Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen in a 4-hole playoff. The Open is a 72-hole stroke play tournament contested over four days. It starts with 156 world leading professionals along with winner of top amateur championships. Further places are given to players, amateurs and professionals who are successful in a number of qualifying events.

There is a cut after 36 holes after which only the leading 70 players play in the final 36 holes. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a four hole aggregate playoff is held, if two or more players are still tied, it continue as a sudden death until there is a winner. There are a number of medals and trophies that are given for various achievements during The Open.

The field for Open is 156, and golfers gain a place in a number of ways. Most of the field is made up of leading players who are given exemptions. Further places are given to players who are successful in The Open Qualifying series and in final qualifying. Any remaining places, and places made available because qualified players are not competing, are made available to the highest ranked players in the Official World Golf Ranking.