What is the Claret Jug and is it always awarded to the winner of The Open?

The Claret Jug will be raised aloft this weekend, as the winner of The Open has been announced.

But how did the trophy end up being included in one of golf’s biggest tournaments?

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Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a claret jug?

The Claret Jug is officially known as the Golf Champion Trophy. It was made by Mackay Cunningham & Co of Edinburgh and bears the hallmark of 1873. The jug was first presented to The Open winner Tom Kidd that year. But 1972 winner Tom Morris Jr was the first person to have his name engraved on it.

Has the Claret Jug always been the trophy awarded to the Open winner?

No – the initial award was called the Challenge Belt and was presented between 1860 and 1972. The reason for the withdrawal of the belt was that the tournament rules stipulated that whoever won the Open three times in a row would have the right to keep the belt. In 1870, Tom Morris Jr. won three consecutive titles and became the owner of the belt. The tournament was not played the following year and in 1872 the medal was presented to the winner. The 1872 tournament was played at three clubs – Prestwick, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. The Edinburgh clubs agreed to donate £10 towards a new trophy, which they agreed would be the Claret Jug. In 1873, the Golf Champion Trophy was presented for the first time.

Who are golf’s most famous wags?

The world’s top golfers enjoy incredible lifestyles – and their wags lead thrilling lives, too.

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Here are some of the most high-profile beauties…

• A masters golfer rushed home after his recent victory to be with his wife, who was about to give birth to their first child.

• Playing with a three handicap, the sports journalist can give tough competition to her peers.

• This down-to-earth beauty married a superstar golfer in front of Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin and Niall Horan.

• A former gymnast, she has been her husband’s support for 14 years – he even has a tribute to her on his golf balls.