The R&A launched first e-Open golf tournament

17 July 2020

The R&A, which organizes The British Open, St Andrews-based golf’s oldest and most international major championship, has launched inaugural e-Open Tournament presented by Mastercard, an 18-hole stroke play tournament virtually played on the iconic Royal St George’s golf course from July 13 to September 8, with qualifying events and knock-out rounds running throughout the summer leading to a Grand Final showdown in September.

This brand-new online competition allows players of all skill levels from all over the world to test themselves against the unrelenting challenge of links golf as the inaugural e-Open launches powered by the WGT by Topgolf platform, the world’s most realistic free-to-play online golf game, which has already been enjoyed worldwide by more than 28 million players. This innovative tournament, accessible through the WGT online gaming app, also provides a global platform, helping attract gamers and golf fans alike from all over the world. “We have seen eSports become hugely popular and enjoyed by gamers all around the world. The e-Open will give golf fans a unique opportunity on a global platform to challenge themselves against other gamers in a virtual tournament over Royal St George’s”, said Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer at The R&A. “We have been working on The e-Open for some time now and are pleased to be able to launch the inaugural tournament during what was due to be the week of the Championship this year. It will complement the Open for the Ages, which is being broadcast as a very special celebration of the Championship”, he added. Up to 100,000 players are expected to enter the e-competition.

Mastercard, presenting partner of The e-Open

Official Patron of The Open is also the presenting partner of The e-Open, Mastercard. During the qualifying round, two Mastercard golf ambassadors will partake in a priceless experience by swapping their clubs for keyboards and going head-to-head in a live exhibition match to be played over Royal St George’s. Fans will be able to tune into the live action in what will prove to be a real highlight of the new tournament.

“We are excited to share The Open experience digitally with fans throughout the world. With new advances to our livestream capabilities, our WGT by Topgolf platform makes accessible one of the most prestigious tournaments on the same course as the pros, outfitted with first-hand challenges, rewards and nuances of Royal St George’s”, said President of Topgolf Media, YuChiang Cheng.