2022 Open Championship
The 2022 Open Championship, officially the 150th Open Championship, was the oldest and one of the four major championships in professional golf, contested from 14 to 17 July 2022 at the Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, widely regarded as the "Home of Golf."[1] Australian professional golfer Cameron Smith claimed his first major title and first Open victory by finishing at a score of 268 (20 under par), tying the tournament's all-time record for the lowest score relative to par, achieved with rounds of 67, 64, 73, and a final-round 64 that included five consecutive birdies from holes 10 through 14.[1] Smith's triumph edged out American Cameron Young by one stroke at 269 (19 under par), with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy placing third at 270 (18 under par); tied for fourth at 14 under par were England's Tommy Fleetwood and Norway's Viktor Hovland.[1][2] The event drew a record-breaking attendance of 290,000 spectators over the week, including practice rounds from 10 to 13 July, underscoring its status as a landmark celebration of the tournament's sesquicentennial at its historic venue, which has hosted the Open 29 times previously.[1] Notable moments included Tiger Woods' emotional ceremonial crossing of the iconic Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole during the traditional Champions Parade, marking a poignant farewell gesture from the three-time Open winner amid his return to competitive play following injuries.[1] The tournament featured a field of 156 players, including qualifiers and exemptions, with challenging links conditions featuring firm greens and variable winds that tested accuracy and course management, ultimately rewarding Smith's putting prowess and bold play on the back nine.[1] Smith became the first Open champion to post two rounds of 64 or better, solidifying his breakout performance.[1] The purse totaled $12 million USD, with Smith earning $2.5 million, highlighting the event's growing prestige and global appeal under The R&A's organization.[2]Organisation and Background
Tournament Organisation
The 2022 Open Championship was organised by The R&A, the governing body of golf in Great Britain and Ireland, which has managed the tournament since 1919. As the 150th edition, the event featured enhanced celebrations, including the Champions Parade, while adhering to standard protocols for player exemptions, qualification, and course preparation in collaboration with St Andrews Links Trust. The R&A set a record purse of $12 million USD, reflecting the tournament's elevated status.[3]Historical Context
The Open Championship, recognized as the oldest of golf's four major tournaments, originated in 1860 as a professional competition organized by the Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, where eight players contested three rounds on the club's 12-hole links course.[4] Established to determine a champion golfer following the death of Allan Robertson, the event quickly became a cornerstone of the sport, rotating annually among select links venues in the United Kingdom to emphasize the natural, wind-swept challenges unique to coastal courses.[3] This tradition of hosting on historic links has preserved the tournament's identity as golf's original major, distinguishing it from the more inland-focused American events.[5] The 2022 edition represented the 150th staging of the Open Championship, a milestone delayed by the cancellation of the planned 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which marked only the fourth such interruption in the tournament's history.[6] Held at the Old Course at St Andrews—known as the "Home of Golf"—it was the venue's 30th time hosting the championship, more than any other course, with the prior edition there occurring in 2015.[7] St Andrews' frequent role underscores its symbolic importance, having first welcomed the Open in 1873 and embodying the event's enduring ties to Scotland's golfing heritage.[8] Over recent decades, the Open has reflected broader trends in golf's globalization, with fields increasingly featuring players from diverse nations amid a surge in worldwide participation that reached 62.3 million adults engaging with the sport in R&A affiliated markets (excluding the USA and Mexico) by 2024.[9] The pandemic's scheduling disruptions, including the 2020 cancellation, highlighted the tournament's resilience while accelerating adaptations like enhanced health protocols for subsequent editions.[10] Renowned for its prestige among the majors—often cited by players like Jon Rahm as the most coveted title due to its historical depth and demanding conditions—the Open boasts a legacy of iconic victories, including Tiger Woods' dominant wins at St Andrews in 2000 and 2005, where he completed his career Grand Slam and became the fifth player to triumph there twice.[11][12]Venue and Course Setup
The Old Course at St Andrews
The Old Course at St Andrews is located in the town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, on the east coast of the country. It is widely regarded as the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world, with its layout tracing back to the 15th century, though the modern configuration was largely shaped by Old Tom Morris in the 1860s. Morris, a four-time Open Champion and influential course architect, redesigned the course to include its distinctive routing along the coastline, emphasizing natural dunes, firm turf, and strategic bunkering that define links golf. The course features several unique architectural elements that contribute to its legendary status. Double greens, where the 2nd and 3rd holes share one putting surface and the 5th and 6th share another, allow for varied pin placements and demand precise approach shots. The Hell Bunker, guarding the 14th green, is one of golf's most notorious hazards. The 17th hole, known as the Road Hole, is a par-4 that plays alongside a public road and features a deep pot bunker short of the green, making it one of the toughest finishing holes in major championships. At the 18th, the Swilcan Bridge—a simple stone arch dating to the 18th century—serves as an iconic crossing point for players walking to the final green, symbolizing the course's enduring heritage. Historically, the Old Course has measured over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and plays to a par of 72, with its length evolving through renovations to accommodate modern equipment while preserving its strategic essence. It has hosted the Open Championship 30 times, including the 2022 edition.[7] It has also seen record-low rounds of 63, such as Rory McIlroy's in the 2010 Open.[13] As a public facility managed by the St Andrews Links Trust since 1894, the course allows daily access via a ballot system for non-members, ensuring its democratic appeal alongside elite events. This combination of antiquity, accessibility, and challenge has cemented its role as the spiritual home of golf, influencing course design globally.2022 Course Configuration
The Old Course at St Andrews was configured for the 2022 Open Championship to measure 7,313 yards with a par of 72, marking a modest increase of 16 yards from its 2015 setup to counter advancements in equipment technology.[14] Tee positions were extended on several holes to promote strategic play, while green complexes were adjusted to enhance firmness and speed, aligning with the links tradition of testing recovery shots from uneven lies in fescue rough and pot bunkers. The overall yardage distribution featured a front nine of 3,599 yards and a back nine of 3,714 yards, with daily variations possible based on pin placements and weather. A key alteration focused on the par-4 17th hole, known as the Road Hole, which was lengthened to 495 yards to amplify its status as one of golf's most demanding challenges, requiring precise drives to avoid the notorious Road Hole Bunker guarding the green's front-left.[15] Bunkering remained largely traditional, with deep pot-style hazards like those on the 17th restored to maintain their penal nature under firm conditions, though no major new installations were introduced for the event. The setup philosophy prioritized firm and fast playing surfaces, prepared through minimal irrigation amid preceding dry weather, which emphasized bouncy lies and creative shot-making typical of Scottish links golf. Practice facilities for the tournament were centered at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy driving range, a short walk from the Old Course, equipped with grass tees, short-game areas, and technology such as ShotView for swing analysis during warm-ups. Spectator routing was designed to facilitate efficient movement around the iconic layout, with designated paths encircling the shared first and 18th double green, grandstands at signature holes like the 17th, and shuttle services from overflow parking on adjacent links courses to accommodate the large crowds for the 150th anniversary celebration. Following the 2022 Open, the course underwent enhancements announced in October 2025, including lengthening several holes to increase the championship yardage to 7,445 yards for the 2027 Open.[16]Qualification and Field
Qualification Criteria and Exemptions
The 2022 Open Championship, the 150th edition held at the Old Course at St Andrews, featured a field assembled through a combination of automatic exemptions and qualifying pathways, with exemptions providing the majority of entries based on prior achievements and rankings. Approximately 100 spots were allocated via exemptions, prioritizing categories in order of recency and prestige to ensure the participation of top global talent. These exemptions were governed by the R&A, the tournament's organizing body, and applied as of the event dates from July 10 to 17, 2022.[17] Exemptions for past Open champions emphasized recent success and longevity in the sport. Winners of The Open from 2011 to 2021 received automatic entry, while champions aged 60 or under as of July 17, 2022, were also exempt regardless of the victory's vintage, allowing legends like Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington to compete. Additionally, the top 10 finishers (including ties) from the 2021 Open at Royal St. George's were granted spots to reward strong performances in the prior edition. This structure favored recency, with the top five from the 2021 event implicitly prioritized through the top-10 rule.[17] Winners of other major championships within the preceding five to ten years were similarly exempt to recognize excellence across golf's premier events. This included champions of the U.S. Open from 2017 to 2022, the Masters from 2017 to 2022, the PGA Championship from 2016 to 2022, and The Players Championship from 2019 to 2022. These categories ensured that recent major victors, such as Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa, could defend their status without further qualification.[17] Worldwide tour performances provided further exemption routes, drawing from leading circuits to broaden the field's international scope. The top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of Week 21, 2022, were exempt, capturing the era's elite like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. On the PGA Tour, the top 30 from the 2021 FedEx Cup points list qualified, alongside the top five (and ties) not otherwise exempt from the FedEx Cup points list following the 2022 Travelers Championship. For the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), exemptions covered the top 30 from the 2021 rankings, winners of the BMW PGA Championship from 2018 to 2021, and the top five (and ties) not otherwise exempt from the 2022 DP World Tour rankings following the BMW International Open. These tour-based criteria highlighted consistent excellence, with priority given to more recent seasons.[17] Special categories extended invitations to emerging talents and unique achievers, promoting inclusivity. Recent amateur champions, including winners of the 2022 Amateur Championship, the 2021 U.S. Amateur, the 2022 European Amateur, the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur, and the 2022 Latin America Amateur, earned spots to showcase amateur golf's best. The 2021 Mark H. McCormack Medal winner, awarded for top amateur world ranking performance, also qualified. Although the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) introduced gold medalists to major exemptions in subsequent years, no specific Olympic category applied directly for 2022, with medalists like Xander Schauffele qualifying via other routes such as OWGR or majors. Overall, these exemptions totaled around 100 entries, filling the 156-player field alongside qualifiers, with any overlaps resolved by category priority.[17]Qualifying Events and Pathways
The Open Qualifying Series for the 2022 Open Championship featured sixteen key global tournaments across eleven countries, where the top non-exempt finishers (typically three, but varying from one to four per event) in each earned spots in the field.[18] These events spanned multiple tours, including the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and others, providing international pathways for players outside the exemption categories to qualify.[19] For instance, Thomas Pieters secured qualification by winning the Dutch Open. Final Qualifying consisted of four 36-hole tournaments held on 28 June 2022 at courses in the United Kingdom, including Fairmont St Andrews, Hollinwell, Prince’s, and St Annes Old Links, awarding 16 spots to the leading finishers.[19] Notable qualifiers included amateurs Barclay Brown and Sam Bairstow, who advanced alongside professionals such as Dan Bradbury.[19] Alternate pathways included 18-hole regional qualifiers conducted on 20 June 2022 at fifteen venues across Great Britain and Ireland, with leading players advancing to Final Qualifying.[19] In total, 34 players gained entry through the Open Qualifying Series and Final Qualifying.[20]Final Field Composition
The final field of 156 players included approximately 122 exempt players and 34 qualifiers. Players hailed from 26 countries, with the United States (49 players) and England (22) most represented. Notable aspects included 25 past major champions, 13 past Open winners, and 40 first-time Open participants, such as qualifiers Dan Bradbury and Thomas Pieters. The field featured a mix of established stars like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods alongside emerging talents and amateurs.[20]Weather Conditions
Forecast and Overview
The pre-tournament weather forecast for the 150th Open Championship, held from July 14 to 17, 2022, at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, anticipated predominantly sunny and mild conditions throughout the week. Daytime highs were expected to range between 68–75°F (20–24°C), with light to moderate southwest winds of 10–15 mph providing a gentle breeze suitable for links golf.[21][22] These predictions, issued by the Met Office, suggested minimal disruption from precipitation, with only isolated chances of light showers on select days.[23] In reality, the tournament experienced mostly dry and stable meteorological conditions, aligning closely with the forecast but with even less rainfall than anticipated. Total precipitation amounted to approximately 0.1 inches over the four rounds, confined to a brief light drizzle during the early hours of the second round on July 15, which softened the course slightly before conditions cleared.[24][25] The early rounds benefited from dry weather that maintained firm turf, while winds remained moderate, averaging 5–12 mph on days one and two before increasing to 10–14 mph from the southwest on the weekend.[26] Temperatures hovered in the comfortable range of 66–72°F (19–22°C) during play, with no significant heat or cold spells reported.[23] The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A), in coordination with the Met Office, actively monitored atmospheric conditions for potential hazards such as lightning, but no delays or suspensions due to electrical activity occurred during the event.[1] Overall, the weather was notably benign compared to historical St Andrews Opens, particularly the 2015 edition, which featured severe gusts exceeding 40 mph that suspended play and extended the tournament to Monday.[27] This milder setup in 2022 contributed to a firm and fast playing surface early in the week, consistent with the dry lead-up conditions observed in the preceding weeks.[1]Impact on Play
The benign weather conditions facilitated low scoring throughout the tournament, contributing to Cameron Smith's record-tying 20-under-par total. On the first day, dry conditions resulted in firm fairways and fast greens, leading to slow play as players exercised caution on the links layout.[28] The brief early-morning drizzle on July 15 slightly softened the course, providing an advantage to early starters; Adam Scott capitalized with a 7-under 65, while later groups faced firmer conditions as the ground dried.[29] Moderate southwest winds on the weekend tested accuracy but did not significantly disrupt play, allowing bold strategies on the back nine that rewarded precise putting and approach shots. Overall, the lack of severe weather enabled the field to post aggressive scores, with 20 players finishing under par.[1]Tournament Rounds
First Round
The first round of the 2022 Open Championship took place on July 14 at the Old Course at St Andrews, marking the 150th edition of the event and drawing record crowds to celebrate the milestone. Calm winds and favorable conditions early in the day contributed to several low scores, with the field average settling at 72.7, slightly above par, setting an optimistic tone for cut projections around even par or better.[30][1] Cameron Young emerged as the surprise leader with a bogey-free 64 (−8) on his Open debut, carding eight birdies, including three on the back nine, to take a two-shot advantage. Rory McIlroy, teeing off first in the marquee group and drawing enthusiastic cheers from the packed galleries, fired a 66 (−6) highlighted by seven birdies and strong approach play on the homeward stretch. Several players lurked close behind at −5, including Cameron Smith (67), Sungjae Im (67), and Adam Schenk (67), among a group of eight tied for third.[2][31][32] Notable momentum shifts included a birdie barrage in the afternoon groups, where 14 birdies were made across the top pairings on the par-5s, fueled by the benign weather setup. Viktor Hovland, in his second Open appearance but still a relative newcomer to the major, impressed with a 68 (−4) featuring precise iron play and a debut-like poise under the historic spotlight. The electric atmosphere, amplified by the 150th Open festivities, saw vocal support for home favorites and McIlroy's opening drive, underscoring the event's prestige.[1][31][33]Second Round
The second round on July 15 saw Cameron Smith surge to the lead with a bogey-free 64 (−8), reaching 11 under par for the tournament and setting a new Open Championship 36-hole scoring record at 131 (−13). Cameron Young followed with a 69 (−3) to sit at 133 (−11), two shots back. Rory McIlroy posted a 68 (−4) to move to 134 (−10), tied with Viktor Hovland, who carded a 66 (−6) highlighted by strong putting.[2][34] Winds increased in the afternoon, challenging later groups and contributing to a field average of around 73.5, but early starters capitalized on calmer conditions. Notable performances included Tommy Fleetwood's 69 (−3) to reach −3, while the cut line settled at +3 after 79 players advanced. The round solidified Smith's contention, with his precise chipping and putting standing out on the links layout.[30][1]Third Round
The third round of the 2022 Open Championship took place on July 16 at the Old Course at St Andrews, where calm conditions and firm greens contributed to one of the lowest-scoring days of the tournament. Rory McIlroy fired a 6-under-par 66 to surge into a share of the lead at 16 under par, highlighted by a stunning eagle on the par-4 10th hole after a precise 7-iron approach from 186 yards that left him a short birdie putt he converted for the two. McIlroy, who started the day three shots back, added birdies on four of the next seven holes on the back nine, including consecutive conversions at the 11th and 12th, to pull clear temporarily before Viktor Hovland matched him with his own bogey-free 66.[35] Viktor Hovland, playing in the group ahead, capitalized on the benign weather with precise iron play and strong putting, carding seven birdies without a blemish to join McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard at 16 under. Meanwhile, overnight leader Cameron Smith, who held a two-shot advantage at 13 under after rounds of 67 and 64, struggled with his putting and approach shots, posting a 1-over 73 that dropped him to 12 under par, four shots behind the new leaders. Cameron Young matched Smith's total with a steady 71, also finishing at 12 under and setting up a tense final round.[36] The round's scoring reflected the favorable setup, with an average of approximately 71.0—well below par—and multiple players in contention, including Tommy Fleetwood at 9 under after a 66, leaving four players within five shots of the lead entering Sunday. Henrik Stenson, the 2016 Open champion, had made the cut with rounds of 75 and 70 for a total of 1 over par but withdrew before the third round citing injury. The final pairings were set with McIlroy and Hovland in the last group at 1:25 p.m. BST, followed by Smith and Young in the penultimate pairing, priming a dramatic conclusion at the historic venue.[1][37]Final Round
The final round of the 2022 Open Championship unfolded on July 17, 2022, under mostly clear conditions at the Old Course in St Andrews, where Rory McIlroy entered with a two-stroke lead over Viktor Hovland at 16 under par, while Cameron Smith trailed by four shots at 12 under.[38] Smith ignited the leaderboard drama with a remarkable back-nine surge, carding five consecutive birdies from the 10th through the 14th holes to vault into the lead at 17 under, capitalizing on precise approach shots and steady putting to erase the deficit against McIlroy, who had bogeyed the first hole but responded with a birdie on the fifth.[39][38] As the pressure mounted on the iconic closing stretch, Smith maintained composure with a par on the par-4 15th and the par-3 16th, then executed a clutch par save on the challenging 17th hole—the Road Hole—by deftly putting his ball around the greenside bunker to avoid a potential bogey that could have invited challengers back into contention.[40] McIlroy, meanwhile, faltered late, reaching 18 under after a birdie on the 14th and 19 under after a birdie on the 15th, but stumbling with a bogey on the 18th after his aggressive chip from off the green raced past the hole, leaving a missed par putt that dropped him to 18 under for the tournament.[41] Cameron Young mounted a strong bid from four shots back, firing a final-round 65 highlighted by a 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th to reach 19 under, securing solo second place.[42] Smith sealed his one-stroke victory at a record 20 under par—matching the lowest score to par in major championship history—with a birdie on the 18th, avoiding any playoff and clinching the Claret Jug in dramatic fashion as the large crowds, totaling a record 290,000 attendees over the week, erupted in celebration along the Swilcan Bridge and surrounding fairways.[38][43] The electric atmosphere, fueled by the historic return to St Andrews for its 30th Open hosting and 150th edition overall, amplified the tension and joy of the closing moments, marking a thrilling resolution to the title battle.[44]Results and Analysis
Final Leaderboard
Cameron Smith of Australia won the 2022 Open Championship at 20 under par, securing the Claret Jug and the top prize from a record $14 million purse distributed among the top 70 finishers and ties.[45][2] The final leaderboard is as follows for the top 10 finishers:| Position | Player | Total Score | To Par | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smith | 268 | −20 | $2,500,000 |
| 2 | Cameron Young | 269 | −19 | $1,455,000 |
| 3 | Rory McIlroy | 270 | −18 | $933,000 |
| T4 | Tommy Fleetwood | 274 | −14 | $654,000 |
| T4 | Viktor Hovland | 274 | −14 | $654,000 |
| T6 | Brian Harman | 275 | −13 | $469,500 |
| T6 | Dustin Johnson | 275 | −13 | $469,500 |
| T8 | Bryson DeChambeau | 276 | −12 | $325,667 |
| T8 | Patrick Cantlay | 276 | −12 | $325,667 |
| T8 | Jordan Spieth | 276 | −12 | $325,667 |