Traditionally played in the United Kingdom during the third week of July, The Open is the fourth and final men's Major. Rolex, linked to this competition since 1981, is today a first-rate partner in the world of golf.
The partnership between Rolex and golf began in 1967, when Arnold Palmer became the first Brand Ambassador for the sport. Rolex subsequently became, and still is, the Official Watch and a major partner of many prominent golf events and organizations.
Opened in 1860, The Open is held annually on rotation at one of the UK's historic courses. The 151st edition takes place at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
A FAMOUS COURT
It was 1897 when this course, located on the shores of the Irish Sea, first hosted the tournament, which returns this year for the 13th time. Rolex Testimonee Tiger Wood won his third Open here in 2006.
EMBLEM OF ELEGANCE AND TRADITION
Tradition dictates that The Open is played only on a links-style course: a course near the sea, with sandy soil and few water or tree obstacles. Given the unpredictability of the weather conditions in these places, the 156 players participating in the tournament invariably require a good dose of combativeness, self-control and humility to face the eventuality of heavy showers, intense gusts of wind and heat waves.
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
With its unique history, the wild beauty of the coastal courses that host it and its audience of connoisseurs, The Open tournament can only be part of the tradition of world sport - just remember the duels of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in the 1920s , the battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977 or Tiger Woods' tears as he won his third trophy in 2006.
ROLEX AND GOLF: PARTNERS FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS
Rolex pursues a unique relationship with golf, a relationship based on shared values: respect for tradition, sense of responsibility, technical precision, elegance of movements, constant pursuit of excellence and commitment to future generations.
Today the partnership between Rolex and golf extends to many aspects of this sport: from the bodies that govern it to the world rankings, from the most important names in international golf to Major tournaments and circuits all over the world without exceptions: men's and women's, professional and amateurs, juniors and seniors.
Furthermore, the Brand has given its support to the creation of the Rolex Series, made up of the most exclusive tournaments of the DP World Tour, the Rolex Player of the Year award, which honors the best golfer on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) circuit, and the Rolex Junior Player of the Year awards, given to a male and female player aged eighteen or under for the best performance of the season. Incontestably, Rolex is now “the watch partner of the world of golf”.
ROLEX TESTIMONIALS AND THE OPEN
Among the numerous golfers who belong to the prestigious family of Rolex Testimonials, several have won The Open: Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Francesco Molinari and Collin Morikawa.
