The UK’s Biggest Golf Tournaments

The game of golf is widely accepted to have started in Scotland around the Middle Ages. From a basic game played on uncultivated ground, it grew to become a standardised across the world with grass courses.

From its roots in the north, it spread southwards across the United Kingdom, gaining fans of all ages. Now, the UK boasts the highest number of golf courses in Europe, more than double the number in Germany.

Almost a million people report playing golf twice a month in the UK. These players are mostly male, but there is a growing number of females playing the sport.

However, golf is not just a popular sport to play, many people of all ages enjoy watching it on TV. Some of the UK’s tournaments command a wide viewership from across the globe.

Which UK tournaments are the most popular?

The UK is not only home to the world’s oldest golf tournaments but hosts a variety of annual competitions. From Gleneagles in Perth and Kinross to St Enodoc in Cornwall, golfers can enjoy spectacular scenery when they tee off.

While in the US, many golf courses sit on casino resorts, it is not as common in the UK. However, with convenient mobile access now, the fun doesn’t need to stop. If you want to combine golf with casino gaming, Casinos.com is your gateway to slot sites in the UK offering a range of golf themed slots games.

So, which UK golf tournaments are the biggest draw? Read on for the country’s top golf competitions.

• Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

The longest standing event on the DP World Tour has been running for over two decades. The first fixture was in 2001 and top players including:

• Padraig Harrington
• Colin Montgomerie
• Lucas Bjerregaard

Are all previous winners of the event.

Every year in October, the world’s top golfers flock to Scotland to play for a prize fund of US$5 million. 

The tournament also attracts amateur golfers, some of whom are well-known celebrities. For instance, Justin Timberlake, Michael Douglas and Michael Phelps have all played with professional golfers during the tournament.

Three beautiful courses host the tournament, which is a celebration of links golf. These are:

•  The Old Course at St Andrews
•  The Championship Course, Carnoustie, near Dundee 
• Kingsbarns Golf Links, seven miles south of St Andrews

Two separate competitions run alongside each other. These are the individual professional tournament and the Team Championship.

The individual professional tournament involves 168 of the world’s top golfers. In the Team Championship, these professionals are paired with amateurs.

The play runs over the courses listed above over three days, with the final round played on the Old Course.

It has been sponsored by Alfred Dunhill since its inception but the company’s connection to St Andrews runs deep. They have been donating to local charities and golf since 1985.

• BMW PGA Championship

Originally called the British PGA Championship, this event was established in 1955. For over 40 years, it was played in May but since 2019, it has moved to September.

This PGA European Tour event is located at Wentworth Club, Virginia Water in picturesque Surrey, England. This club also serves as the headquarters for the PGA European Tour.

In terms of the Official World Golf Rankings, it is a prominent event. Winners can pick up a minimum of 64 ranking points and are given an exemption into that year’s U.S. Open.

Former winners include:

• Seve Ballesteros
• Shane Lowry
• Billy Horschel

In 2000, Colin Montgomerie made history by winning it for the third time in a row. This achievement has not yet been beaten.

Until 2009, the BMW PGA Championship had the highest prize money on offer. It stands at a respectable US$9 million prize pot. 

• Betfred British Masters

With its origins in a tournament called the Dunlop-Metropolitan, which began in 1934, the British Masters has a storied history. It was once one of the most lucrative events for professionals on the tour but has slipped down the chart now.

However, the winners of this par 72 tournament will walk away with US$3.5 million. The current champion is Norwegian Niklas Nørgaard with a two stroke victory and score of 272.

The Betfred British Masters is currently hosted by golfing legend Nick Faldo. It is played at The Belfry in Warwickshire, England.

Previous winners include:

• Lee Westwood in 2007
• Sam Torrance in 1995
• Daniel Hillier in 1993

The British Masters did not take place from 2009 until 2015 as it has lost sponsorship. 

• The British Open

Probably the most popular event in the UK, The British Open is the oldest major tournament in golf. It dates back to 1860 and is played on classic links courses.

The event is sometimes referred to as The Open Championship by golfers and the media. It ranks among the major four tournaments in the world, the others being:

• The Masters Tournament
• The PGA Tournament
• U.S. Open

In theory, it is open to all. In practice, the world’s top golfers are invited and some of the world’s leading amateurs.

Golfers get the opportunity to claim the Claret Jug, which is a coveted trophy on the circuit.

The British Open was first played at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, where it remained for many years. Now it rotates between a number of courses, with the most recent ones being:

• Royal Troon
• Royal Liverpool
• St Andrew’s

The most recent winner of the British Open is Xander Schauffele from the U.S. Last year, Brian Harman was named winner and the year before it was Cameron Smith.

The prize fund for the British Open is a jaw-dropping US$17 million.

From historic beginnings to world-renowned competitions, the UK’s golf tournaments showcase the sport’s rich legacy and countrywide appeal.