The watchmaker also partners with the tournament’s organising body, The R&A, as well as Rolex Testimonees like Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie SchefflerFew sports boast such a long and august history as the noble pastime of golf. And among the sport’s many historic competitions, one stands out as the oldest and most storied of all: The Open Championship, contested each year at one of a rotating cast of links courses around the UK, and dating all the way back to 1860.Rolex Testimonee Adam Scott at The Open in 2025 in Royal Portrush. Photo: HandoutSince 1981, the tournament has been in partnership with its horological counterpart, a brand with an equally illustrious history and stellar reputation: Rolex. Its role as the Official Timekeeper of The Open and of its organiser The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (often shortened to The R&A), is part of the Swiss luxury watchmaker’s commitment to the sport stretching back nearly six decades. It also extends to the other tournaments that constitute the pinnacle of the game too: the other men’s and women’s majors, as well as its leading tours and team events.The 18th hole at Royal Birkdale during The Open in 2017. Photo: HandoutOn top of this, the watchmaker has provided its support to numerous legends of the game. Among those given the coveted status of Rolex Testimonee are greats including Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Annika Sörenstam, Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler.Scottie Scheffler with the famous Claret Jug for winning the The Open in 2025. Photo: HandoutThis year’s Open returns to one of its most celebrated venues, Royal Birkdale in the northwest of England, which has hosted the tournament on 10 previous occasions, starting in 1954. Over the years, this classic links course, where players navigate between towering sand dunes and often must deal with blustery breezes off the Irish Sea, has borne witness to numerous indelible scenes from golfing history. That includes two such moments provided by members of the Rolex-affiliated trio who dominated the sport during the 1960s and helped to transform it into the global spectacle it is today.Rolex Testimonee Arnold Palmer, an all-time great of the game who won The Open at Royal Birkdale in 1961, after hitting a miraculous shot out of a blackberry bush in his final round. Photo: HandoutFirst, in 1961, Arnold Palmer lifted the winner’s famous Claret Jug, securing victory after saving par at the 15th hole of his final round with a remarkable recovery shot out of a blackberry bush – a feat commemorated to this day with a stone plaque.Then, the next time Royal Birkdale hosted the tournament, in 1966, Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 major tournaments, secured his first Open title to complete a career grand slam of the four majors.Jack Nicklaus, on his way to winning the The Open in 1966 to complete a career grand slam of golf’s four majors. Photo: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images