The 142nd British Open played between July 18 through 21, 2013 at the Muirfield Golf Links, Gullane, East Lothian, in Scotland earning £975,000 (about $1.6 million) by the winner. The Championship carries a total purse of $8 million. At the end United States Phil Mickelson won the Championship for the first time beating Henrik Stenson by three strokes and claiming the covenant Claret Jug. Tiger woods finished sixth with +2.
Established in 1860, it is known as The Open Championship or The Open or the British Open and it is the oldest of four major championships and the only one held outside of the United States. The original trophy was called the Challenge Belt, leather belt with a silver buckle. The present trophy better known as the Claret Jug was introduced in 1872 as a result of repeated winnings by a player. Since 1995, the Championship became part of official PGA Tour.
The Championship is a 72-hole stroke play with a cut after 36 holes. It is limited to the top 70 players of the world. It contains a four-hole playoff at the end of regulation and a tie at the end will result in a sudden-death.