There is a reason why today’s winner will be presented with a jug, and it roots back to the old traditions of golf.
The initial reward – at the inception of the Open – was a Challenge Belt made of red Morocco leather with silver buckles and emblems, more akin to the Masters’ Green Jacket.
If any player won the Open, which began in 1860, for three consecutive years, they would become the belt’s owner.
Young Tom Morris achieved this feat from 1868 to 1870. With no trophy or belt available, the tournament was not held in 1871 until a solution was found the following year.
The three clubs which hosted the Championship at the time – Prestwick, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews – agreed that the champion would receive a medal and each club would contribute £10 towards a new trophy.
This trophy was a silver claret jug that was officially named the Golf Champion Trophy, designed in the style of 19th-century jugs used for serving red wine from France’s Bordeaux region. The new trophy couldn’t be presented to the 1872 victor, Morris, as it was still being crafted.
It was finally bestowed upon 1873 champion Tom Kidd. The original trophy was given out until 1927 when it was placed on display at St Andrews, alongside the original Challenge Belt, which was gifted to the golfing mecca by the Morris family.