Meet the courses the R&A visits
![Meet the courses the R&A visits Meet the courses the R&A visits](https://i0.wp.com/golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/royal-troon.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1)
The IR&A hosts its biggest competition at some of the best links courses in the world.
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The Open Championship annually visits some of the best links courses in the world. This set of courses – commonly known as the Open Championship rota – has played some of the biggest moments in major tournament history, and is well known to golf fans around the world.
The IR&A says there is no “official” Open Championship, but since 1933 only 10 courses have held the Open Championship. It's safe to say those 10 courses make up the rota – official or not.
Here are 10 courses on the Open Championship rota.
St. Andrews (Old Course)
![swilcan bridge at St Andrews](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/st-andrews.jpg)
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Location: Fife, Scotland
Open Championships hosted by: 30
Latest winner: Cameron Smith, 2022
His first place award: $2,500,000
The world's top 100 golfers: 3
Muirfield
![View of Muirfield in Scotland](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/muirfield-new.jpg)
LC Lambrecht
Location: East Lothian, Scotland
Open Championships hosted by: 16
Latest winner: Phil Mickelson, 2013
His first place award: $945,000
The top 100 golfers in the world: 12
Royal St. George's
![Royal St. George](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Royal-St.-Georges.jpg)
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Location: Sandwich, England
Open Championships hosted by: 15
Latest winner: Collin Morikawa, 2021
His first place award: $2,070,000
Top 100 GOLF in the world: 33
Royal Liverpool
![Royal Liverpool](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Royal-Liverpool-3rd.jpg)
Kevin Murray
Location: Hoylake, England
Open Championships hosted by: 13
Latest winner: Brian Harman, 2023
His first place award: $3,000,000
The top 100 golfers in the world: 93
Royal Lytham and St. Annes
![](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/royal-lytham-st-annes-getty-1024x570-1.jpg)
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Location: Lytham St. Annes, England
Open Championships hosted by: 11
Latest winner: Ernie Els, 2012
His first place award: $900,000
The top 100 golfers in the world: 74
Royal Birkdale
![royal birkdale look](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/royal-birkdale.jpg)
Kevin Murray
Location: Southport, England
Open Championships hosted by: 10
Latest winner: Jordan Spieth, 2017
His first place award: $1,845,000
Top 100 GOLF in the world: 42
Royal Troon (Old)
![A view of the par-3 8th hole at Royal Troon in Troon, Scotland, to host the 2024 Open Championship.](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/royal-troon-8th.jpg)
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Location: Troon, Scotland
Open Championships hosted by: 9
Latest winner: Henrik Stenson, 2016
His first place award: $1,175,000
Top 100 GOLF in the world: 66
Carnoustie
![View of Carnoustie in Scotland.](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/carnoustie.jpg)
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Location: Carnoustie, Scotland
Open Championships hosted by: 8
Latest winner: Francesco Molinari, 2018
His first place award: $1,890,000
Top 100 GOLF in the world: 40
Turnberry (Ailsa)
![Trump Turnberry](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Turnberry_11AerialBack_0439.jpg)
Gary Lisbon
Location: Turnberry, Scotland
Open Championships hosted by: 4
Latest winner: Stewart Cink, 2009
His first place award: $1,221,000
Top 100 GOLF in the world: 18
Royal Portrush
![The 17th and 16th holes, formerly Dunluce's 15th and 14th.](https://golf.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/royal-portrush-16-17.jpg)
Angus Murray
Location: Portrush, Northern Ireland
Open Championships hosted by: 2
Latest winner: Shane Lowry, 2019
His first place award: $1,935,000
Top 100 GOLF in the world: 16
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