opengolf.com, the official website The Open Championship being played Turnberry 2009

Golf's Greatest Prize

The Claret Jug is without doubt the most famous trophy in the game of golf. Commissioned in 1872 but completed in 1873, this elegant trophy – officially called the Golf Champion Trophy – was first presented to Tom Kidd, the 1873 champion, but Kidd was not the first name to be inscribed on it. That honour went to Young Tom Morris, the 1872 champion, even though the trophy had not been completed when he won the event.

History of the Claret Jug