Muirfield

Gullane, Scotland · Links

16 major championships hosted since 1892

The Open ×16

Established

1891

Designer

Old Tom Morris; Harry Colt (redesign)

Par

71

Championship Yardage

7,245 yds

About the Course

Muirfield, home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers — the world's oldest organized golf club — is widely regarded as the fairest of the Open links. Its clever routing of two concentric loops means the wind is rarely in the same direction for more than a few holes.

Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1891 and refined by Harry Colt, Muirfield has produced a roll of champions that reads like a who's-who of the game: Vardon, Hagen, Cotton, Player, Nicklaus, Trevino, Watson, Faldo and Els.

Course Records

Lowest scoring marks recorded in major championship competition at Muirfield.

Course Record (round)

63

Rory McIlroy, 2013

Lowest 72-Hole Total

271 (−13)

Ernie Els, 2002 / Nick Faldo, 1992 (272)

First Major Hosted

1892

Total Majors Hosted

16

Major Hosting History

Every major championship staged at Muirfield, by championship and year.

Championship Times Years
The Open 16 1892, 1896, 1901, 1906, 1912, 1929, 1935, 1948, 1959, 1966, 1972, 1980, 1987, 1992, 2002, 2013

Notable Moments

Defining rounds and championship moments in the history of Muirfield.

1966

Nicklaus completes the Slam

Jack Nicklaus won his first Open here to complete the career Grand Slam, and later named his own course Muirfield Village in tribute.

1972

Trevino's miracle

Lee Trevino holed an improbable chip on the 71st hole to deny Tony Jacklin and successfully defend his title.

1987

Faldo's 18 pars

Nick Faldo played a flawless final round of 18 straight pars in difficult conditions to win his first major.

2002

Els survives

Ernie Els won a four-man playoff after a Saturday storm wrecked the leaders' rounds, claiming his first Open.

2013

McIlroy's 63 & Mickelson's charge

Rory McIlroy set the course record with a 63, but Phil Mickelson's brilliant closing 66 delivered the Claret Jug.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the course record at Muirfield?

Rory McIlroy holds the Muirfield course record with a 63 shot during the 2013 Open Championship.

Who has won The Open at Muirfield?

Champions include Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson (2013).

Why is Muirfield considered fair?

Its routing in two loops of nine, running clockwise and counter-clockwise, constantly changes the wind direction, and there are few blind shots compared with other links.

Explore More

All Courses

Browse all 125 venues that have hosted major championships.

Major Championships

Complete history of all four majors from 1860 to today.

Records & Firsts

Youngest, oldest, largest margins, and every major record.