Watches Golfers Wear: Past Winners of The Open
Golf is one of the most prestigious sports in the world. But how does this link to watches?
For decades, some of the world’s best golfers have worn luxury timepieces and well-known brands such as Rolex and Omega.
With The Open around the corner, we thought we’d look at some of the tournament’s past winners to find out what watches they wear.
From the first winner, Willie Park at Prestwick in 1860, to the most recent event in 2021, where Collin Morikawa won at Royal St George’s, there have been many winners of The Open.
Let’s look at some of the most notable winners and the timepieces they wear.
What is The Open?
The Open started in 1860 and is now one of the most popular golf championships in the world. Held at Prestwick until 1872, The Open skipped a year in 1871 when there was no championship that season. Since then, the venue has changed on rotation across a select group of courses in the UK.
The British Open happens in mid-July and is the final major men’s golfing tournament of the year. This year, the event runs from Thursday 14th July to Sunday 17th July.
It’s a championship that is open to all golfers. It is predominantly a professional tournament, though a small number of amateurs can play, either by invitation or qualification.
St Andrews will play host to the 150th championship this year, and the winner will take home the world-renowned Claret Jug. The current one was first awarded to Walter Hagen in 1928, and each year, the previous winner returns it so the most recent victor’s name can be engraved before it gets presented to them.
Can You Wear a Watch on the Golf Course?
In most cases, professional golfers don’t wear watches during a tournament. Many golfers wear watches with a price tag that reflects the luxury of both the sport and the timepiece’s brand. Therefore, damage can sometimes be a concern.
Golfing pros have an average swing speed of 110mph. When the clubface hits the golf ball, shock waves surge up the club. If struck wrong, these shockwaves can often reach the player’s hand, wrist and watch.
Some golfers have reported that wearing a watch affects their swing, but not all. As much in golf is based on preference, some report a watch can make you feel off-balance, while others factor it into their own swing.
Although it’s not against the rules to wear a watch on the golf course, most professionals avoid it during gameplay. However, some notable golfers have worn a watch during a professional tournament, including Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.
What Watches do the Top Golfers Wear?
Some of the most well-recognised golfers in the world love wearing high-end watches. So, it’s no surprise that industry leaders such as Rolex and Omega are often seen on the wrist of golfers.
Here we dive further into the watch makes and models they wear.
What brand of watch does Tiger Woods wear?
Many people think of Tiger Woods when they think of golf. The American professional golfer holds several records, including being tied first for PGA Tour wins. Woods has won at The Open three times, first in 2000, then in 2005 and again in 2006.
Over the years, Woods has partnered with many watch brands, including Tudor, Tag Heuer and Rolex.
It’s reported that one of his favourites is the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea (Reference: 116660). The watch comes with an impressive water resistance of up to 12,800 feet. Considering how Woods loves the ocean, it is no surprise that he chooses this watch.
Other watches he has worn are the Rolex Submariner Date, Rolex Day-Date II in White Gold (Reference: 218239) and the Tag Heuer Link Calibre 16 Chronograph.
What Watch Does Rory McIlroy Wear?
Another top name in the golfing world is Rory Mcllroy. The Irishman is well-recognised in the sport, holding various records and titles, including winning The Open in 2014.
Not only does he love golf, but timepieces are also his passion. He is often seen sporting a luxury watch on his wrist and has favoured various brands throughout his career.
In his early days, McIlroy was a brand ambassador for Audemars Piguet. At his PGA Championship win in 2012, he wore the Royal Oak Offshore variant.
Not long after, he became the face of the Omega Aqua Terra. He didn’t favour a particular model, showcasing the Aqua Terra GMT whilst accepting a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m for his victory in the 2014 PGA Championship. In 2015, Mcllory had an official timepiece: the Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf 150m Master Co-Axial.
What kind of watch does Phil Mickelson wear?
Did you know Phil Mickelson gifted a spectator at the 2006 Ford Championship at Doral $200 because he broke his watch? Despite this, he is one of the golfers not afraid of wearing a luxury timepiece on the course.
He won the 2013 Open Championship and has a plethora of other trophies under his belt.
On the course, he wears his famous Rolex Cellini Danaos. Last year he made history when he won the PGA Championship a month before his 51st birthday, making him the oldest player to win a major golfing championship!
He won whilst wearing a white dial Rolex Cellini with a brown leather strap. Although it appears he favours this style of watch, he often wears a rose gold Rolex Yacht-Master.
What watch does Jordan Spieth wear?
Jordan Spieth won The Open in 2017, following his first major win in the 2015 Masters. The American pro is the second-youngest player to win the Masters, behind Tiger Woods.
Looking at which timepiece he has on his wrist, it’s no shock that we’re mentioning another Rolex. Back in 2021, he won the Valero Texas Open. When he lifted the trophy, he wore an 18ct white gold Rolex Daytona with a black Oysterflex strap.
Rolex Sponsors The Open
Luxury watch brands often sponsor major golf tournaments. The British Open is partnered with Swiss brand Rolex: both are renowned for their luxury and opulence.
Last year, Rolex was once again at Royal St George’s Golf Club as the official Open timekeeper. This was the 149th round of The Open and marked the 40th anniversary of one of the most prestigious sporting partnerships.
At Miltons Diamonds, we provide an array of second-hand Rolex watches for men and women.
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