Carnoustie, Scotland · Links
8 major championships hosted since 1931
Established
1842
Designer
Allan Robertson; Old Tom Morris; James Braid
Par
71
Championship Yardage
7,402 yds
Carnoustie on Scotland's Angus coast is widely regarded as the toughest links in championship golf, earning the nickname “Car-nasty.” Its closing stretch — with the Barry Burn snaking across the 17th and 18th — has decided Opens in dramatic fashion.
Ben Hogan won his only Open here in 1953, and the venue is forever linked to Jean van de Velde's collapse on the 72nd hole in 1999, as well as Pádraig Harrington's and Francesco Molinari's triumphs.
Lowest scoring marks recorded in major championship competition at Carnoustie.
Course Record (round)
64
Open rounds
Lowest 72-Hole Total
269 (−15)
Open era
First Major Hosted
1931
Total Majors Hosted
8
Every major championship staged at Carnoustie, by championship and year.
| Championship | Times | Years |
|---|---|---|
| The Open | 8 | 1931, 1937, 1953, 1968, 1975, 1999, 2007, 2018 |
Defining rounds and championship moments in the history of Carnoustie.
Ben Hogan won the Claret Jug in his sole Open appearance, completing a three-major season.
Gary Player won The Open at Carnoustie, holding off Jack Nicklaus.
Needing only a double bogey to win, Jean van de Velde made triple and lost a playoff to Paul Lawrie, who had begun the day 10 shots back.
Pádraig Harrington twice found the Barry Burn on 18 but won a playoff over Sergio García for his first major.
Francesco Molinari played the weekend bogey-free to become the first Italian major champion.
Its length, wind, deep bunkers and the Barry Burn guarding the closing holes make it the most demanding course on the Open rota — hence the nickname “Car-nasty.”
Leading by three on the 72nd tee, he made triple-bogey 7 — including a shot into the Barry Burn — and lost a playoff to Paul Lawrie.
Francesco Molinari, the first Italian to win a major championship.