Royal Birkdale and Carnousite set to host the Open Championship in 2017 and 2018

It has been announced that Royal Birkdale and Carnoustie will host the Open Championships in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

The R & A have announced that Royal Birkdale and Carnoustie will host the Open Championships in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

The news comes as professional golfers and the golfing community prepare for the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool on July 17th.

Royal Birkdale will see its 10th Open in 2017, having last hosted the only Major event not held in the US in 2008.

2008 saw Padraig Harrington win the Claret Jug for the second time, after winning the trophy the previous year in 2007.

Royal Birkdale has been voted as the number one course in Britain. 1954 was the first time the Open Championship was played at Royal Birkdale where Peter Thomson won both his first and final Open titles.

Carnousite has hosted the prestigious tournament seven times, most recently in 2007.

Carnoustie’s first Open was in 1931 where Tommy Armour claimed the top spot.

One of the most famous Opens held at Carnoustie was the 1999 tournament, which saw Paul Lawrie win his only Major championship.

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie was down by 10 strokes at the beginning of the fourth round and went on to beat Jean van de Velde and Justin Leonard in the biggest comeback in Open Championship history.

Following this year, the Open Championship will return to Scotland with St. Andrews hosting the tournament next year and Royal Troon being the host in 2016.

Tom Watson, who clinched the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale in 1983 and at Carnoustie in 1975, joined the R&A to make the announcement and said he was delighted to see the tournament return to the two famous courses.

"I know both courses are held in high regard by the players and I certainly consider them to be wonderful tests of golf.

"When I first played in The Open at Carnoustie I still had a lot to learn about links golf but I quickly adapted to the challenge of playing in the wind and keeping the ball low. I played well that week and was thrilled to win the play-off.

"Royal Birkdale is also a fine links course and I have always thoroughly enjoyed playing there. I think the players and the fans will be excited to see the top players playing these courses once again."