If the last five years of The Open are anything to go by, the 2019 tournament promises to be the best yet.

During that period there have been no fewer than five winners at five different venues, culminating in one of the most exciting contests in recent times when Italian Francesco Molinari won an epic at Carnoustie last year.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy opened proceedings with a dominant victory at Royal Liverpool to become Champion Golfer of the Year in 2014.  

Leading outright after every round, McIlroy, however, saw his six-stroke lead cut in the final round after a strong challenge from Sergio Garcia, with an eagle on the 10th, and Rickie Fowler.

But the Ulsterman held on to win by two shots after finishing the round on 71 for a total of 271, at the age of 25, becoming the third youngest player to win The Open after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Dramatic finale

The historic Old Course at St Andrews was the scene of American Zach Johnson’s remarkable triumph in 2015.

In a contest full of twists and turns, fellow countryman and namesake Dustin Johnson powered in front on the first day with a 65, a lead that he maintained going into the third round despite flooding and gales stopping play on the Saturday.

But after the final round a three-way tie between Zach Johnson, Australian Marc Leishman and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, took it to a four-hole play-off.

Johnson held his nerve to birdie the first two holes and finish one ahead of Ooosthuizen and lift the Claret Jug.

2016 will go down as one of the most dramatic duels in Open history.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and American Phil Mickelson pulled away from the rest of the field, going head-to-head over the final 36 holes at Royal Troon.

But it was Stenson who emerged the victor by three shots after carding an eight-under-par 63, including 10 birdies, on the final day.

Winning his first Major in 41 attempts, the Swede smashed all records, surpassing Greg Norman’s lowest last round by a winner by one stroke and setting a new Open 72-hole record.

Epic comeback

A record-breaking 235,000 crowd packed into Royal Birkdale to witness one of the finest comebacks in modern times.

After leading all of the first three rounds, American Jordan Spieth got off to the worst possible start in the final round, finding himself trailing for the first time in the competition to compatriot Matt Kuchar by one stroke going into the 14th.

But digging deep, he birdied the next hole before sinking a 40-footer for an eagle on the 15th and then birdieing the 16th and 17th to clinch victory by three shots.

South Africa’s Branden Grace also fired eight birdies in the third round to record the lowest round of 62 in a Major.

Molinari capped a stellar 2018 with his first Major win at Carnoustie after coming from behind in the final round.

Starting the Sunday three strokes behind the American trio of Kevin Kisner, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth, he shot a final round 69 to finish on 276, two ahead of Justin Rose, McIlroy, Kisner and Schauffele.

See The 149th Open at Royal St George’s

Don’t miss out on next year’s Open.

The Experience St Andrews is offering four programmesfor the 149th Open at Royal St George’s: the 4-Night Spectator Programme, the 5-Night Spectator Programme, the 8-Night Programme including St Andrews, and the 8-Night Programme including Turnberry.

The 4-Night Spectator Programme , which starts on Thursday July 16th, includes two days’ admission to The Open on Friday and Saturday and a sightseeing tour of historic Leeds Castle and Canterbury.

The 5-Night Spectator Programme, arriving on Wednesday July 15th, includes three days’ admission on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a sightseeing tour of Leeds Castle and Canterbury.

The 8-Night Spectator Programme including St Andrews, starting on Thursday July 16th, includes three rounds of golf on the Old Course; the New Jubilee or Castle Course; and Carnoustie Championship Course.

The 8-Night Spectator Programme including Turnberry, also commencing on July 16th, includes three rounds of golf on the Ailsa Course; the Prestwick; and Royal Troon Course.

For more information or to book one of our programmes for The Open call +44 (0)1334 441350 for the U.K., or 914 481 8594 or toll free on 888 552 5632 for the U.S., or email [email protected]