The Championship Course at Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland, has been chosen to host the 136th Open Golf Championship from 19 - 22 July, 2007. Traditionally regarded as one of the most challenging courses on the Championship rota, Carnoustie last staged the event in 1999 when Scotland’’s Paul Lawrie captured his first Major Championship.
Prior to 1999, the Open Championship had not been staged at Carnoustie since American Tom Watson claimed the first of his five titles in 1975, beating Australian Jack Newton after an 18 hole play-off.
Carnoustie staged its first Open Championship in 1931 when Scotland’’s Tommy Armour – the “Silver Scot” – took the title with an aggregate of 296. Subsequent winners were Sir Henry Cotton (1937), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1968), Watson and Lawrie.
Five years ago, Lawrie started the final day ten strokes behind leader, Jean Van de Velde of France, and shot a best of the day 67 for a total of 290, six over par, to force a play-off with Van de Velde and American Justin Leonard, the 1997 Champion. Lawrie won the four hole play-off in style, birdieing the final two holes to capture the Claret Jug.
The success of the infrastructure, access arrangements and accommodation put in place to handle the needs of a modern Championship has resulted in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews awarding Carnoustie the Open Championship for a seventh time, according to David Hill, Championship Secretary of the R&A.
In announcing the 2007 venue, Peter Dawson, Secretary of the R&A said: "Carnoustie has always been acknowledged as an outstanding test of links golf with one of the most exacting finishes of any Championship course.
"We are therefore delighted to be returning only eight years after the previous Open when Carnoustie was rightly reinstated to the rota of Open venues."
Angus Council leader Rob Murray said he was delighted that the Open Championship was returning to Carnoustie in 2007. He commented: "The 1999 Championship surpassed the expectations of all involved and secured Carnoustie's reputation as one of the best links courses in the world. We are delighted to see the Championship's return to the county and I thank the R&A for their confidence in the venue.
"The creation of a new dual carriageway between Dundee and Arbroath will improve the journey and reduce traffic congestion – which is good news for visiting spectators and the home crowd alike.
"We look forward to working with the R&A in the lead up to 2007 and give them our fullest support for what is certain to be another successful and exciting Championship."
The return of the Open Championship to Carnoustie by the R&A ensures worldwide television coverage for the area and Scotland at large. It will also give a multimillion-pound boost to the local and general economy.
There is reference to golf being played at Carnoustie as early as 1527. The first known course at Carnoustie was laid out in the first half of the 19th century and consisted of only ten holes. Old Tom Morris expanded the course to 18 holes in 1873 and in 1926 James Braid made far-reaching alterations which were the basis for today’’s Championship layout.
The full list of Champions at Carnoustie:
1931 - Tommy Armour 73, 75, 77, 71 - 296
1937 - Henry Cotton 74, 73, 72, 71 - 290
1953 - Ben Hogan 73, 71, 70, 68 - 282
1968 - Gary Player 74, 71, 71, 73 - 289
1975 - Tom Watson 71, 67, 69, 72 - 279
1999 - Paul Lawrie 73, 74, 76, 67 - 290
