ROLEX & THE OPEN: GOLF’S OLDEST MAJOR
Traditionally contested in the United Kingdom during the third week of July, The Open is the fourth and final tournament that make up the men’s annual Majors. Associated with this competition since 1981, Rolex is today a privileged partner of world golf.
The partnership between Rolex and golf began in 1967 when Arnold Palmer became the sport’s first Testimonee. The brand has since been named Official Timekeeper and is a principal partner of many leading events and stakeholders in the game. Inaugurated in 1860, The Open is played every year on a historical course in the United Kingdom. The tournament regularly comes to St Andrews, as is the case for the 150th Open Championship.
The home of golf
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. In the late 19th century, it came to be regarded as a governing authority of the sport including in the administration of its rules, in conjunction with the United States Golf Association. St Andrews is considered by many to be “the home of golf”.
Steeped in elegance and tradition
Tradition has it that The Open is always played on a links course, that is, one located by the sea, featuring sandy soil and few water hazards or trees. Given the particularly unpredictable nature of the weather conditions, the 156 players competing in the tournament every year need their fair share of fighting spirit, self-control and humility given the potential for heavy showers, strong gusts of wind and even heatwave conditions. The winner of The Open is announced as “The Champion Golfer of the Year” and receives the prestigious Claret Jug. This famous silver trophy has appeared on bank notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland twice.
Unforgettable moments
With its unique past, the wild beauty of the coastal courses where it is played and its knowledgeable fans, The Open is forever etched in the great history of world sport – from the duels of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen in the 1920s to the battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977, or the tears of Tiger Woods upon winning his third trophy in 2006.
Rolex and golf: partners for more than half a century
Rolex enjoys a privileged relationship with golf, one founded on shared values: respect for tradition, responsibility, technical precision, the elegance of movement, the perpet-ual quest for excellence and a commitment to future generations. Today, the partnership between Rolex and golf extends to many areas of the sport: with governing bodies and world rankings, with the greatest names in international golf, and with the circuits and Major tournaments – both men’s and women’s, professional and amateur, at senior and junior levels. Moreover, the brand has also championed the creation of: the Rolex Series, the finest tournaments on the DP World Tour; the Rolex Player of the Year award which recognizes the best woman golfer on the LPGA circuit; and the Rolex Junior Players of the Year awards, which honour players aged 18 or younger, boy and girl, who perform best in a given season. Undeniably, Rolex has become “the partner watch of world golf”
Rolex Testimonees and The Open
Among the many great names in golf who belong to the prestigious family of Rolex Testimonees, several have won The Open: Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.
Rolex and sport
Hans Wilsdorf believed in challenging oneself and held a lofty view of sport’s role in society. To test his watches, he entrusted them to those who pushed themselves to the absolute limit. Driven by an unwavering quest for excellence, the founder of Rolex discovered valuable allies in athletes through their exceptional feats. For many decades, the brand has actively championed culture, architecture, exploration and planetary conservation. And in the sporting world, it has built a diverse range of partnerships across tennis, golf, equestrianism, skiing, sailing and motor sport. Rolex partners governing bodies, competitions and athletes – from established champions to promising talents – in long-standing engagements that perpetuate the future of these disciplines and promote excellence.
