Historic English Open Golf Tournament to Return After 24-Year Hiatus with £300,000 Prize Fund The DP World Tour has announced the revival of the English Open, a prestigious golf tournament last held in 2002, with plans to reintroduce it as part of the Challenge Tour schedule in 2026 and 2027. The event aims to eventually feature on the DP World Tour in 2028, marking a significant milestone for English golf. The tournament will be hosted at The Vale Golf Club in Worcestershire, with the 2026 edition scheduled for June 18-21. The revamped competition will offer a prize fund of £300,000, a substantial increase from previous years. The English Open, once a cornerstone of the European Tour between 1979 and 2002, will return to the global stage after a 24-year absence. The decision to revive the event was made in collaboration with England Golf, emphasizing its historical significance and potential to showcase the sport in England. Darren Clarke, a Northern Irish golfer, won the last edition of the tournament in 2002 at the Forest of Arden Country Club, securing his third consecutive victory at the venue. The tournament’s return is highlighted by its rich history, with notable champions including Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, and Mark James. Ballesteros, a legendary figure in golf, won the first English Open in 1979, then known as the English Classic, at The Belfry. The Belfry hosted nine of the event’s first ten editions, with the exception of Royal Birkdale in 1988. The Forest of Arden became the venue for the final ten editions between 1993 and 2002. Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, praised the English Open’s return, calling it “one of golf’s most prestigious titles.#dp_world_tour #english_open #the_vale_golf_club #england_golf #worcestershire
Historic English Open Returns to DP World Tour Calendar The English Open, a tournament with a storied history in golf, is set to make a significant comeback after years of uncertainty. The DP World Tour and England Golf have announced a partnership to revive the event, which will be played on the HotelPlanner Tour this season and next, with plans to elevate it to the DP World Tour starting in 2028. The tournament, once a staple of the European Tour, has faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and cancellations, but its return marks a renewed effort to honor its legacy while providing opportunities for the next generation of golfers. The English Open has been home to some of the sport’s greatest legends, including Darren Clarke, Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam, and Lee Westwood. These players, who have lifted the trophy in their careers, will now be joined by emerging talents in a bid to restore the tournament’s prominence. The 2026 edition, known as the English Open supported by HotelPlanner, will be held at The Vale Golf Club near Birmingham and feature a prize fund of £300,000. This marks a significant step in the tournament’s revival, as it aims to balance tradition with modernization. The tournament’s history is marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Originally launched as the English Golf Classic between 1979 and 1983, it was later merged with the Lawrence Batley International, leading to a hiatus until its return in 1988. During its time on the European Tour, the English Open became a regular fixture until 2002. However, its presence dwindled after that, with only two editions held in 2009 and 2021–2022.#dp_world_tour #english_open #hotelplanner_tour #the_vale_golf_club #england_golf
