A true links test.
The Open is the season’s last major in men’s golf. It takes place on selected links golf courses throughout the UK that all share one essential quality: they allow for an outstanding test of the players. With their exposed locations on the shores, ever-changing weather conditions and especially wind become an integral part of the overall challenge.
In 2021, The Open returns to the shores of England in Kent, as the tournament will be played at Royal St George’s in Sandwich from 15 to 18 July. Whoever wins and is awarded with the iconic trophy, the Claret Jug, will add his name to a list of winners that dates back all the way to the first edition in 1860.
Return of the Claret Jug.
The tournament week begins with the Return of the Claret Jug on Monday. During this ceremony, the winner of the previous edition of The Open arrives in a Mercedes-Benz at the current venue to bring back the iconic trophy to the event.
This year, the defending Champion Golfer of the Year is Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who won the 148th Open in Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, in 2019. He will arrive at Royal St George’s and hand the trophy over to the R&A, the organising body of the tournament. With the Claret Jug well back in place, the competition is good to begin.
Long tradition, bright future.
With The Open typically taking place on links golf courses on the shores around the UK, awareness for climate change and especially the well-being of coast and seas is paramount. The R&A has launched multiple initiatives within and outside The Open to ensure that both the tournament and links golf in general will be able to prosper well into the future.
Mercedes-Benz very much shares this vision. With its ambition to make the fleet of new cars CO₂-neutral by 2039, the brand has already set in motion its major and long-standing contribution. Led by the brand’s first electric vehicle in the luxury class, the EQS, a whole variety of Mercedes-EQ models will be present at The Open.
Winning a major.
As Official Car of The Open, Mercedes-Benz provides mobility for all players, their teams, officials and selected guests during the entire tournament. Three brand ambassadors in the field of players will also benefit from this exclusive service.
Jon Rahm from Spain, currently number one in the world, is very much a contender when it comes to winning this major. Both Ian Poulter (England) and Rickie Fowler (USA) have already come incredibly close to becoming Champion Golfer of the Year, finishing second and tied second respectively. All three of them share the desire to win the only major on European soil. Competition at The Open is on.
