Golf's oldest major has been played at 14 different courses since the first event in 1860, with 10 courses considered to be on the current rota for hosting the tournament.

154th Open Championship - Royal Birkdale (12-19 July, 2026)

The Open returns to sunny Southport for the 11th time and the first time since Jordan Spieth was victorious in 2017.

The 2017 tournament produced a truly remarkable final round, with the events of the last few holes ranking among the most dramatic in the Open’s history.

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Royal Birkdale was founded in 1889 and received “Royal” status  in 1951. Three years later, Peter Thomson won the first of his five Claret Jugs; he would also win here in 1965.

The full roll call of Open winners at Royal Birkdale is as follows:

Peter Thomson (1954, 1965), Arnold Palmer (1961), Lee Trevino (1971), Johnny Miller (1976), Tom Watson (1983), Ian Baker-Finch (1991), Mark O'Meara (1998), Pádraig Harrington (2008), and Jordan Spieth (2017).

155th Open Championship - St Andrews (11-18 July, 2027)

The spiritual home of golf - St Andrews, will host it’s 31st Open Championship in 2027, five years on from when Cameron Smith putted his way to the title.

Smith was a pre-tournament 25/1 chance in our golf betting.

From Tom Kidd’s success in 1873 to Smith's glory in 2022, the famous Old Course has understandably produced more memorable moments than any other Open venue in the United Kingdom.

The roll of honour for St Andrews is absolutely phenomenal.

Open Championships Held At St Andrews

• 1873 – The 13th Open, St Andrews - Tom Kidd
• 1876 – The 16th Open, St Andrews - Bob Martin
• 1879 – The 19th Open, St Andrews - Jamie Anderson
• 1882 – The 22nd Open, St Andrews - Bob Ferguson
• 1885 – The 25th Open, St Andrews - Bob Martin
• 1888 – The 28th Open, St Andrews - Jack Burns
• 1891 – The 31st Open, St Andrews - Hugh Kirkaldy
• 1895 – The 35th Open, St Andrews - J.H. Taylor
• 1900 – The 40th Open, St Andrews - J.H. Taylor
• 1905 – The 45th Open, St Andrews - James Braid
• 1910 – The 50th Open, St Andrews - James Braid
• 1921 – The 56th Open, St Andrews - Jock Hutchison
• 1927 – The 62nd Open, St Andrews - Bobby Jones
• 1933 – The 68th Open, St Andrews - Denny Shute
• 1939 – The 74th Open, St Andrews - Dick Burton
• 1946 – The 75th Open, St Andrews - Sam Snead
• 1955 – The 84th Open, St Andrews - Peter Thomson
• 1957 – The 86th Open, St Andrews - Bobby Locke
• 1960 – The 89th Open, St Andrews - Kel Nagle
• 1964 – The 93rd Open, St Andrews - Tony Lema
• 1970 – The 99th Open, St Andrews - Jack Nicklaus
• 1978 – The 107th Open, St Andrews - Jack Nicklaus
• 1984 – The 113th Open, St Andrews - Seve Ballesteros
• 1990 – The 119th Open, St Andrews - Nick Faldo
• 1995 – The 124th Open, St Andrews - John Daly
• 2000 – The 129th Open, St Andrews - Tiger Woods
• 2005 – The 134th Open, St Andrews - Tiger Woods
• 2010 – The 139th Open, St Andrews - Louis Oosthuizen
• 2015 – The 144th Open, St Andrews - Zach Johnson
• 2022 - The 150th Open, St Andrews - Cameron Smith

Where Will The Open Take Place In 2028?

Turnberry in Scotland has been mentioned, with the R&A confirming they have engaged with Downing Street with regard to the venue, but have emphasised that the current infrastructure needs to be addressed.

Also in the picture is Portmarnock (Ireland), which would be the first time the Open has been held outside the United Kingdom.

*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*

One of the most popular sports on the planet, the subject of the world’s greatest golfer is – and has been – up for debate. However, most fans would agree that two men in particular are clear of the rest.

Younger golf fans have grown up watching Tiger Woods win major title after major title while older viewers will recall Jack Nicklaus dominating during his incredibly 25-year professional career.

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Both players have been immense servants to the sport and golf followers have debated this topic long and hard over the years. We decided to look at both players in a bid to determine just who is the greatest male golfer of all-time.

Jack Nicklaus

• Major wins: 18

Not only is Nicklaus one of the best golfers of all-time but he is there or thereabouts when discussing the best sportsmen of all-time.

That is testament to the great man’s impact and influence in golf, starting from your local driving range to the 18th hole at Augusta National. For mature golf fans, Nicklaus is unquestionably the greatest of all-time.

If you look purely at performances at major events, Nicklaus ranks as the best golfer to step onto a course.

Six Masters titles, five PGA Championship triumphs, four US Open successes and three wins at The Open Championship shows just how versatile Nicklaus was – he had the quality to cope with different courses and occasions.

Nicklaus had seven-time major champion Arnold Palmer to compete with during his career and that only strengthens his status as golf’s top player.

Palmer is a legend of the sport and he will go down as one of the very best but Nicklaus was a class above. That rivalry remains one of the most competitive golf has ever seen.

The Roger Federer of golf, Nicklaus was a fan favourite across the world and he conducted himself impeccably throughout his career – both on the golf course and in his personal life.

For neutrals, his positive behaviour in interviews and in the public spotlight may give him the edge over Woods.

Tiger Woods

• Major wins: 15

Walk down the street and ask somebody to name the first golfer that springs to mind and Tiger Woods is likely to be the answer.

A global icon, Woods’ reputation has grown for his exploits on the course but also for his conduct away from the sport. True fans are willing to look past his off-course antics though and prefer to remember his glittering career.

It took Woods just over a year to win his first major event after turning professional – and it was clear that he was destined for a special career.

One of the most successful players in PGA Tour history, Woods was golf’s dominant figure during the 1990s and he was arguably the biggest sportsman on the planet during the decade.

Tiger’s story is incredible. 11 years after recording his 14th major success, Woods defied the odds to secure title number 15 at the 2019 US Masters.

There were emotional scenes on the 18th green at Augusta National on that occasion and the golfing universe united to celebrate with the American. Dismissed time and time again, this was Woods’ big moment.

Woods holds the record for the most consecutive weeks at the top of golf’s world rankings while he has also been in top spot on that list for more time than any other golfer in history.

In addition, he has won the PGA Player of the Year award a record 11 times and is a worthy contender for Nicklaus’ crown as golf’s greatest player.

Golf is one of the most popular sports on the planet, with players from all over the world competing at the highest level. From the drama of the Ryder Cup to the ups and downs of the US Open, golf entertains millions of fans every year.

The golf calendar has been impacted somewhat by the coronavirus outbreak this year, with the US Masters and The Open Championship both postponed until a later date. All being well, we could see both events take place before the end of August.

For now, fans can get their golf betting and news fix on our 888sport blog. Here, we look at the 10 greatest English golfers of all-time but do you agree with our selections? It’s hard to argue against a few but some may be fortunate to make the cut…

Luke Donald

Donald was ranked as the best player in the world for over a year back in 2011 but, like Lee Westwood, a first major title eluded the Englishman. Unfortunately for Donald, he could only manage two third-placed finishes at major tournaments.

However, 2011 was still an incredible year for Donald. He became the first Englishman to win the coveted PGA Tour Player of the Year award, the Vardon Trophy and most weeks ranked as the number one player in the world during a calendar year.

Tony Jacklin

With two major wins to his name, Jacklin is a shoo-in for this list. In addition, he made seven Ryder Cup appearances and captained Team Europe on four separation occasions – a unique feat given the standard of competition in golf at that time.

He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame back in 2002 and most golf news sites rank Jacklin as one of the greatest English golfers of all-time. In addition, he claimed eight European Tour titles, as well as four PGA Tour triumphs.

Justin Rose

Of the modern players, Rose has probably enjoyed the most success. He claimed his first major success at the US Open in 2013 and hasn’t looked back. Rose consistently finishes in the top 10 of tournaments and has over 20 professional tournament wins.

He has been a thorn in the side of Team USA at the Ryder Cup and the Englishman clinched the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Without a doubt, Rose is well worth his spot on this list.

Lee Westwood

Arguably the best player never to win one of golf’s four major events, Westwood is one of the most popular golfers around. In October 2010, Westwood became the world number one – the first golfer to do that since Nick Faldo in 1994. 

He has won tournaments across five continents but has had to settled for second or third on six occasions at major events. Meanwhile, Westwood has helped Team Europe win the Ryder Cup on seven occasions, claiming 23 points in 44 matches.

Harold Hilton

One of the finest amateur players on the planet during his day, Hilton gained recognition whilst playing at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. He won four Amateur Championships in his career while claiming two Open Championship wins in 1892 and 1897.

Following on from his successful playing career, Hilton was named as the first editor of Golf Monthly – now the world’s oldest golf magazine. Despite his amateur status, it would be unfair to play down his position as one of England’s greatest golfers.

Jim Barnes

Known by some as ‘Long Jim’, Barnes was a key figure during the post-World War One era. He moved to the United States at just 20 years old but that decision was the making of him, with Barnes going on to win an astonishing 21 PGA Tour titles.

To this day, he is the only Englishman to win three different majors. Barnes won the PGA Championship in 1916 and 1919, the US Open in 2921 and the Open Championship in 1925. He is a true golfing icon and his record speaks for itself.

Sir Henry Cotton

A lot of golf fans know Cotton for his commentary but it was his exploits on the course that initially enhanced his reputation. A three-time Open Championship winner, Cotton was consistently strong on home soil – though he did struggle on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cotton won 37 professional competitions during his playing career and he earned a place in the World Golf Hall of Game in 1980. He is a legend of the sport and Cotton was rewarded with a knighthood in the 1988 New Year’s Honours.

Dame Laura Davies

Without a doubt, Davies is one of the greatest female golfers of all-time. With an incredible 87 professional titles to her name, she was the dominant force of her era and she leads the way on the all-time Ladies European Tour with 45 wins.

Like many others on this list, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015. Her greatest ever achievement could be becoming the first golfer, male or female, to win tournaments on five different continents during the same calendar year.

John Henry Taylor

Taylor’s list of achievements is something else. He won five Open Championships during his career while also finishing as runner up on six occasions. J.H. Taylor had a tough upbringing but living with amateur golfer Horace Hutchinson offered him a way into the sport.

During his illustrious playing career, Taylor won an impressive 18 professional titles. In 1933, he captained Great Britain to Ryder Cup glory in front of a jubilant crowd at Southport and Ainsdale – he was a golfer playing well in advance of his era.

Sir Nick Faldo

Look at any list of English golfers and chances are Faldo will be safe and secure in top spot. With 12 European Tour titles, three PGA Tour crowns, six major championships and 97 weeks ranked as number one in the world, Faldo is the greatest English golfer of all-time.

He was fortunate enough to play on 11 Ryder Cup teams, earning a record 25 points for Team Europe. Meanwhile, he was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1997 before receiving a knighthood for his services to golf and sport in 2009.

Arthur Fery's Wimbledon 2026 run has put fresh attention on a question fans ask about every breakthrough player: how much prize money has he actually banked from the Championships?

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Wimbledon prize money is tied to round-by-round progress, so the answer depends entirely on how far the British player goes in the draw.

How Much Has Arthur Fery Won At Wimbledon 2026?

According to online sources, Arthur Fery secured £900,000 in prize money for reaching the semi-finals.

Fery has become a name worth following because Wimbledon remains the most lucrative stage in British tennis for players who are still climbing the rankings. A deep run can transform a summer, while an early exit leaves the payout much smaller than the headlines suggest.

Prize money at Wimbledon is awarded by round, not by style points or margin of victory. That makes the calculation straightforward in principle and brutally simple in practice: win more matches, earn more money.

Could Fery end up on the illustrious list of Wimbledon winners one day? Judged on his 2026 run, he has a very brifght future ahead.

How Wimbledon prize money works

The Championships pay different amounts for each round, with singles players collecting more as they advance through the draw. That structure means any update on Fery's total prize money at Wimbledon 2026 has to be matched to the exact round he has reached.

For readers tracking a player like Fery, the key detail is whether his run ended in qualifying, the opening round, or beyond. Each step changes the total, and Wimbledon uses a fixed scale for those payouts.

Why his total matters beyond one tournament

Prize money at a Grand Slam does more than pad a season ledger. For a player on the rise, Wimbledon earnings can support travel, coaching, recovery, and the next swing of tournaments after the grass is packed away.

That is part of why a Wimbledon appearance matters so much even before the cameras pick up on it. The match fee is not just a number on a graphic; it is often the practical fuel for the rest of the year.

England have reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, which has locked in a prize-money payout of $20 million, or about £15 million - and 888sport look back at their tournament journey this summer.

What England Have Earned So Far

England’s run to the last eight has already taken them beyond the round-of-16 payment bracket and into the quarter-final bracket, where the prize fund rises again even before any further result is added.

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That means the Football Association can already bank a significant sum from the record 2026 prize pool, with the exact figure depending on how far England go from here.

How The 2026 World Cup Prize Money Works

The 2026 tournament comes with a record $871 million prize pool, distributed across performance rewards and participation payments for the 48 teams in the competition.

The champion will receive $50 million, while the teams that finish fourth, third and second will collect $27 million, $29 million and $33 million respectively.

Quarter-finalists are in line for $19 million, round-of-16 teams receive $15 million, and teams that exit in the round of 32 get $11 million.

Every team also receives a preparation payment, and the total guaranteed support for all qualified nations is at least $12.5 million.

What England Could Still Win

If England go one round further and lose in the semi-finals, their prize-money total will rise again before the third-place or final payments are decided.

A place in the final would move them into the top two brackets, where the financial jump is substantial and the silverware is matched by one very tidy payday.

Why The Money Matters

For England, the prize money is more than a headline figure. It affects the FA’s tournament income, the wider financial picture around the national team, and the scale of what is available to reinvest after the competition.

A small group of nations have reached the World Cup and never won a match at the finals and 888sport look through the record books.

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Bolivia hold the longest winless record despite qualifying three times. Canada were the most recent to escape the club, beating Qatar 6-0 in 2026 for their first-ever World Cup win.

Teams to Never Win a World Cup Match

Of the 84 teams to have qualified for a World Cup, 21 teams have never won a World Cup match. Honduras and New Zealand, with nine World Cup matches apiece, share the record for the most matches played at the finals without a win.

Here are the teams that have never won at the World Cup:

• New Zealand
• Cape Verde
• Honduras
• Angola
• Israel
• Iceland
• Kuwait
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Curaçao
• Qatar
• Bolivia
• Jordan
• Togo
• Indonesia
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• China
• Panama
• Iraq
• Haiti
• El Salvador

What “Winless” Means

For this purpose, being winless in World Cup matches is focused entirely on matches played at the finals. Wins in qualifying or playoffs are not included. All victories – whether in the group stage or knockout rounds – are accounted for.

The 21 teams listed above have played in at least one World Cup without registering a victory.

There’s a range of World Cup experience in the list. Indonesia, for example, have only played one World Cup match. New Zealand and Honduras have had nine attempts at grabbing a World Cup win. 

Bolivia’s Long Wait

Bolivia have played six World Cup matches across three editions. They first appeared at the inaugural tournament in 1930, losing both of their matches without scoring. In 1950, their lone fixture was an 8-0 defeat.

Since 1950, the South Americans made their lone World Cup appearance in the United States in 1994. They were drawn with South Korea, Germany, and Spain, and picked up their first World Cup point with a draw against South Korea. 

Canada Get on the Board

Canada failed to win their first seven World Cup matches across the 1986, 2022, and 2026 tournaments. A 6-0 win over Qatar on matchday two of the 2026 group stage was the Canucks’ first World Cup win.

Jonathan David, the country’s all-time leading scorer, was the star of the show with a hat-trick. 

Honourable Draws

In 1970, Israel drew with eventual runners-up Italy and registered a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Toluca. It was Israel’s only World Cup appearance to date.

Qatar, after losing all three matches in 2022, drew with Switzerland in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, but failed to register their first tournament win. They ultimately suffered defeats to Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cape Verde’s World Cup story is the most remarkable of any of the winless teams. Draws with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia took the minnows into the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup, where they forced extra time against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

FAQs

Which team has the worst World Cup record?

Bolivia hold the longest winless run at the finals, with no victories across their appearances.

Did Canada ever win a World Cup match?

Yes — their first came at the 2026 finals, a 6-0 win over Qatar.

Has Israel ever won a World Cup match?

No. Their only appearance was 1970, where they drew with Italy and Sweden but did not win.