The world's greatest sporting event begins today on the shores of the Irish Sea in Southport, England.
It may not be the World Series or the Super Bowl, but golf's oldest major transcends sport and takes the game back to where golf belongs.
It's not the British Open; it's simply The Open Championship. As unpatriotic as it may seem, nothing can compare to watching the world's best battle a links golf course while being beaten by sideways rain and swirling winds. Sorry U.S. Open and The Masters.
The 137th playing of the legendary tournament may not boast Tiger Woods, but it still has one of the strongest fields in golf, including Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.
To the winner, the most coveted trophy in the world; the Claret Jug.
First presented to Tom Kidd in 1873, the Claret Jug marks The Open Champion golfer of the year, and the champion of golf for that year. Period.
The Open is how golf was meant to be played. On the shoreline, battling fierce conditions on a links golf course. No trees, no problem.
If you want water on the course, there are burns, not ponds, rivers or creeks.
British Open golf is the epitome of sport. The greatest game on Earth, being played like it was 1860.
