British Open Tournament

The Open is a 72-hole stroke play tournament contested over four days, Thursday through Sunday. Currently, 156 players are in the field, mostly made up of the world's leading professionals, who are given exemptions, along with winners of the top amateur championships. Further places are given to players, amateurs and professionals, who are successful in a number of qualifying events. There is a cut after 36 holes after which only the leading 70 players (and ties) play in the final 36 holes on the weekend. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a four-hole aggregate playoff is held; if two or more players are still tied, it continues as sudden-death until there is a winner.

There are a number of medals and trophies that are, or have been, given for various achievements during The Open.

The Challenge Belt – awarded to the winner from 1860 until 1870, when Young Tom Morris won the belt outright by winning the Championship three years in a row.
The Golf Champion Trophy (commonly known as the Claret Jug) – replaced the Challenge Belt and has been awarded to the winner since 1873 although Young Tom Morris, the winner in 1872, is the first name engraved on it.
Gold medal – awarded to the winner. First given out in 1872 when the Claret Jug was not yet ready, and since awarded to all champions.
Silver medal – awarded since 1949 to the leading amateur completing the final round.
Bronze medal – awarded since 1972 to all other amateurs completing the final round.
The Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland also mark the achievements of their own members in The Open.

Ryle Memorial Medal – awarded since 1901 to the winner if he is a PGA member.
Braid Taylor Memorial Medal – awarded since 1966 to the highest finishing PGA member.
Tooting Bec Cup – awarded since 1924 to the PGA member who records the lowest single round during the championship.
The Braid Taylor Memorial Medal and the Tooting Bec Cup are restricted to members born in, or with a parent or parents born in, the UK or Republic of Ireland.