Who Runs The Open Championship?

We answer the popular question in this piece.

Who Runs The Open Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)

We answer the popular question in this piece.

Who Runs The Open Championship?

The Open Championship, the oldest Major Championship in golf, is run by the R&A, one of the worldwide governing bodies of golf.

On May 14th 1754, a group of 22 noblemen and gentleman of Fife, known as the Society of St Andrews Golfers, presented a Silver Club to be played for annually over the links course. The club was named, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews 80 years later, when King William IV became its patron.

Historically the R&A was also known as the The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and from the late 19th century it developed into a governing authority for the game.

Related: 5 perks of winning The Open Championship

According to the R&A website; "Between 1897 and 2003 it developed three distinct areas of responsibility, namely the administration of the Rules of Golf in conjunction with the USGA, the running of The Open and other key golfing events, and the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations.

"A major reorganisation in 2004, however, saw the Club devolve responsibility for these functions to a newly-formed group of companies, known as The R&A."

The R&A is based in St Andrews.

Together with the USGA, the R&A governs the sport of golf worldwide. Despite covering different areas, both bodies commit to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards.

In terms of other events the R&A run, below is a list;

  • The Open Championship
  • Women's British Open 
  • The Amateur Championship
  • The Women's Amateur Championship
  • Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship
  • Boys Amateur Championship
  • The Girls' British Open Amateur Championship
  • Boys Home Internationals
  • Girls' Home Internationals
  • Ladies' Home International
  • Senior Open Championship
  • Walker Cup
  • Curtis Cup
  • Junior Open Championship
  • St Andrews Trophy
  • Vagliano Trophy
  • Jacques Léglise Trophy
  • Junior Vagliano Trophy

For more Open Championship news, check out the Golf Monthly website.

Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is Golf Monthly's E-commerce Editor.

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This takes the form of buying guides, reviews, supporting gear content as well as creating deal content.

This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for, at a good price.

Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway, TaylorMade and many more.

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap. 

Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Cobra LTDxLS (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3/Cuater The Ringer (For off the course he goes for Nike Jordan 1 Low G shoes as well)