The world's top golfers are gathering at Royal Birkdale this weekend for the 154th Open Championship, with all eyes on the famous Claret Jug. But few fans know the fascinating story behind how this iconic trophy became golf's ultimate prize.
Before the Claret Jug: The Challenge Belt
Long before the Claret Jug was introduced, winners of The Open received a very different reward: the Challenge Belt. Crafted from red Moroccan leather and adorned with silver clasps, the belt was the original prize for the championship. It was presented to the winner each year, but with a catch: any golfer who won The Open three times in a row would keep the belt permanently.
That is exactly what Tom Morris Jr. achieved. By winning The Open in 1868, 1869, and 1870, he earned permanent ownership of the Challenge Belt, meaning it could never be awarded again. This forced the championship organisers to find a replacement trophy.
The Birth of the Claret Jug
In 1872, the three clubs responsible for staging The Open — the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, and the Royal Burgess Golfing Society — commissioned a new trophy. They chose a silver claret jug, inspired by the elegant wine decanters of the era. The trophy was crafted by the Edinburgh silversmiths Mackay Cunningham & Company.
The following year, in 1873, Tom Kidd became the first golfer to receive the Claret Jug after winning The Open at St Andrews. Interestingly, although Morris Jr. never won the jug itself, his name appears first on the trophy as a three-time champion, and he is still listed among the winners on the base.
The Modern Trophy Tradition
Since 1928, when Walter Hagen claimed the current Claret Jug, every Open champion has followed a unique tradition. The winner briefly holds the original trophy during the presentation ceremony, but then returns it to the championship organisers. In exchange, each champion receives an identical replica to keep permanently. This ensures the original Claret Jug remains safe and can be presented year after year.
The Claret Jug has become one of the most recognisable trophies in all of sports, symbolising excellence in golf. This weekend at Royal Birkdale, a new champion will have the honour of lifting the famous jug, continuing a tradition that dates back more than 150 years.
