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The Open Championship is the oldest of golf’s four major championships and one of Rolex’s longest-standing sporting partnerships. Not to be confused with the U.S. Open, it was first contested in 1860 and is organized by The R&A, the governing body that administers golf outside the United States and jointly writes the Rules of Golf with the USGA. Rolex has served as Official Partner and Official Timekeeper of The Open, golf’s oldest championship, since 1981, building a partnership that has now spanned more than four decades.
The Players Competing for the Claret Jug
This year’s championship returns to Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, where World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will headline a field that includes former Open champions Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, along with Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and many of the world’s top players competing for the Claret Jug. Among them, current Rolex Testimonees include Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm, and DeChambeau. In the past, Rolex Testimonees Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer all captured the Claret Jug while serving as some of the game’s most recognizable figures.
Rolex Day-Date: A Watch Linked to Golfing Greats
Few Rolex watches have become more closely associated with professional golf than the Rolex Day-Date. Introduced in 1956, it was the first wristwatch to display both the day of the week and the date in full. Available exclusively in precious metals, the Day-Date has long been associated with individuals who have reached the highest levels of their professions, including U.S. presidents and various heads of state. It became closely associated with championship golf during the 1960s and 1970s as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player were frequently photographed wearing the model. That reputation makes the Day-Date a natural fit for The Open, where lifting the Claret Jug remains one of the greatest achievements in professional golf.
Rolex Datejust: From the Course to the Clubhouse
The Rolex Datejust meanwhile occupies a different place within the collection. Introduced in 1945, it successfully bridges the gap between sport and dress, making it equally appropriate on the golf course, in the clubhouse, or at an awards presentation. Its versatility, wearability and range of sizes has helped make it one of Rolex’s most enduring collections. Decades of references, dial configurations, different Rolex bezels, and bracelet options also make the Datejust one of the most appealing choices in today’s pre-owned market.
Rolex Sky-Dweller: Built for a Global Golf Schedule
Professional golf has become increasingly global, with players routinely competing on multiple continents throughout the season. That international schedule makes the Rolex Sky-Dweller especially relevant. Featuring dual-time functionality and an annual calendar, it remains one of the most technically sophisticated watches in Rolex’s current catalog. Rolex ambassador Jon Rahm has frequently been seen wearing Sky-Dweller references, while J.J. Spaun has also been photographed with the model away from competition.
Rolex GMT-Master II: A Practical Watch for Traveling Professionals
Originally developed for Pan Am pilots, the Rolex GMT-Master II has become one of the brand’s defining sports watches. Its ability to display multiple time zones makes it especially practical for touring professionals whose schedules regularly span Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Vintage references remain highly collectible, while contemporary models such as the “Rolex Pepsi” Ref. 126710BLRO and “Rolex Batman” Ref. 126710BLNR continue to generate strong demand among collectors.
Rolex Submariner: A Golf Favorite Beyond the Water
Although originally designed for diving, the Rolex Submariner has become one of the most recognizable luxury sports watches in the world. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has frequently been seen wearing green Submariner references, including the popular “Hulk” Ref. 116610LV, while Bryson DeChambeau is closely associated with the two-tone Submariner Date “Bluesy” Ref. 126613LB.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual: Understated and Versatile
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual strips the Rolex formula down to its essentials. Without additional complications or precious-metal construction, it focuses on the qualities that have defined the brand since its earliest years: precision, durability, and reliability. Scottie Scheffler has been photographed wearing an Oyster Perpetual 41, demonstrating that understated watches remain every bit as appealing as Rolex’s more technically complex models.
Rolex Watches and the Tradition of The Open
Rolex’s relationship with The Open reflects the values both names have come to represent: tradition, precision, endurance, and achievement at the highest level. From the Day-Date watches worn by golf legends to the sports models favored by today’s leading players, Rolex has remained closely connected to the championship across generations.
Whether chosen for its history, travel functionality, versatility, or understated design, each of these Rolex models offers a different connection to the world of professional golf. Together, they show why Rolex remains such a natural presence at The Open, both on the course and beyond it.
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