Royal Troon Golf Course in Ayrshire, Scotland, will be hosting The Open Championship for the 10th time this year. The course has seen some remarkable performances over the years, with only two players holding the course record at Royal Troon. Phil Mickelson first set the course record with an outstanding eight-under 63 in the first round of the 2016 Open Championship. Henrik Stenson later matched Mickelson’s feat by shooting a 63 in the final day, ultimately winning the title after a thrilling head-to-head battle. Stenson’s 63 in the final round to win The Open title is considered one of the greatest rounds in the history of professional golf. Greg Norman previously held the course record at Royal Troon with a score of 64 during the 1989 Open.
Stenson also set the record for the lowest 72-hole score in Open history with a total of 264 on his way to claiming his first Claret Jug. Cameron Smith later matched this 72-hole record at the 2022 Open at St Andrews. On the other end of the spectrum, the worst score ever recorded at Royal Troon during The Open Championship came in 1923 when Albert Tingey Jr carded a 23-over 94 in his first round of the tournament. As there was no cut that year, Tingey also holds the unfortunate record for the highest 72-hole score at Royal Troon with a total of 331. This is a stark comparison to Stenson and Smith’s record-breaking performances decades later.
The first Open Championship held at Royal Troon was won by Arthur Havers, who finished with a total score of 295, beating Walter Hagen by one stroke. With the upcoming 152nd Open Championship set to take place at Royal Troon, the best players in the world will have the opportunity to challenge the course record and make their mark in the history of the tournament. The competition is expected to be fierce as players strive to etch their names alongside Mickelson, Stenson, and Norman as holders of the prestigious course record at Royal Troon. Golf enthusiasts and spectators alike will be eagerly watching to see if any player can surpass the remarkable feats achieved on the iconic Ayrshire links.
