Which major championship is played outside the United States?

The Open Championship is the major championship played outside the United States, with venues located in the United Kingdom and occasionally elsewhere in the British Isles.

Usually called “the Open” outside North America, it is golf’s oldest major championship. The first Open was played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, where eight professionals competed over three rounds for the Challenge Belt.

The championship later moved among famous links courses, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Liverpool, Royal St George’s, Royal Birkdale, and Royal Troon. Unlike the Masters, PGA Championship, and U.S. Open, which are staged in the United States, the Open’s traditional home is Britain’s seaside linksland.

The name can cause confusion because “U.S. Open” and “Open Championship” both use the word “Open.” The U.S. Open is one of the four men’s majors, but it is an American event. The Open Championship is also the only men’s major routinely contested outside the United States.