Tiger Woods and the rest of the world's top golfers gathering for The Open each July are the super-rich heirs to a modest band of mid-19th century Scotsmen.

The famous tournament has taken mighty leaps since its inception at Prestwick Golf Club on the west coast of Scotland in 1860.

Eight professionals lined up for the first contest, with Willie Park emerging the winner after three rounds of a 12-hole course. His prize was an impressive leather belt, which became the permanent possession of Young Tom Morris after a hat-trick completed in 1870. The new trophy was the renowned Claret Jug.

Other Scottish clubs, and eventually English, began to share in the organisation of the event and it was held over 72 holes of an 18-hole course for the first time at Muirfield in 1892.

Championships create superstars, and after Harry Vardon won a record six Opens between 1896 and 1914, the stirrings of global travel brought greats like Walter Hagen - the first American winner in 1922 - and Bobby Jones across the Atlantic.

It was after World War II, though, that the event took on a truly global complexion, with multiple winners like South Africa's Bobby Locke and Australia's Peter Thomson at the forefront, though it took a while for the Americans to treat it as more than a sideshow.

The charismatic Arnold Palmer made the difference, fully embracing The Open he won in 1961 and 1962 - and with television beaming his exploits to a thrilled audience, generations to come were inspired.

It paved the way for Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, and with a dash of European spice through the likes of Severiano Ballesteros and Nick Faldo, the heady mix was complete. Tiger Woods is now The Open's standard-bearer and it is in good hands.