What is special about the Claret Jug? Everything about the trophy awarded to The Open Championship winner

The Open Championship starts on Thursday, July 18, and will continue for four days. On Sunday, July 21, the winner will receive $3.1 million and a trophy that carries a long history in the Open Championship lookbook. The trophy is called the Claret Jug.

The Claret Jug didn't exist for 12 years after the Open Championship started in 1860. In 1872, the hosting authorities of the Major contributed to making a silver Claret Jug. That year, Tom Morris Jr. won the title but didn't get the trophy because it wasn't ready until 1873.

The original trophy was made of 92.5% silver. It is 20 3⁄4 inches tall, 7 1⁄4 inches wide at the base, and weighs 5 1⁄2 pounds. It has a formal name — The Golf Champion Trophy. Around 28 golfers took the trophy home until The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) took over the Open in 1920 and decided to keep the real trophy only for display in 1927.

Walter Hagen became the first golfer to take home the replica in 1928. However, that replica had to be returned the next year, whereas if a winner wished, he could have another trophy replica and order three more smaller ones. Another interesting fact about the Claret Jug is that it appeared twice on the Scottish bank notes.

"Coolest trophy in all of sports" - Brian Harman on The Open Championship trophy

Brian Harman won the Claret Jug last year and as a part of the Open Championship tradition, he returned it to the R&A authorities while sharing his thoughts on the trophy.

“In my opinion, it's the coolest trophy in all of sports…So I think it's deserving of all of the pageantry that's involved with it. A little sad to give it back, but I’ll remember everywhere it’s been forever. I’m happy to give it back, happy to be here. Ready to get going,” Harman said (via PGA Tour news service).

Last year, Brian Harman won with 13-under. In the opening round, Harman scored five birdies and dropped one bogey on hole 10 to stand at 67. He followed it up with four birdies and one eagle on hole 18 to settle his score at 65.

After this, Harman had four birdies on holes 5, 9, 12, and 13. He also got two bogeys to finish at 69. In the last round, Harman secured four birdies and three bogeys to land at 70.

The 2024 Open Championship begins on Thursday and it's to see who takes the title home this year.