Tony Jacklin’s
Open Championship Claret Jug
“Player” Trophy
TONY JACKLIN COLLECTION

Tony Jacklin was the most celebrated British golfer of his generation. He was the first European player to win on the U.S. tour since the 1920s with his victory at the 1968 Jacksonville Open Invitational. Jacklin then went on to win the 1969 Open Championship and 1970 U.S. Open. Even so, Jacklin is likely even more well-known today for his involvement in the Ryder Cup. He participated in 7 consecutive Ryder Cup Matches as a player, and then went on to Captain the European team 4 more times. It is his role as Ryder Cup Captain for which he is most revered in Britain. Jacklin led his team to its first victory in 28 years at the 1985 Ryder Cup, and then shocked the world by leading Europe to victory again in 1987 - Europe’s first-ever victory on U.S. soil. His career also included “the Concession” at the 1969 Ryder Cup, and an induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2002.

Tony Jacklin’s Open Championship Claret Jug “Player” Trophy

Until recent years, it was not a common practice for Open Championship winners to automatically receive their own Claret Jug following a victory. Instead most Open Champs only received a gold medal. Tony Jacklin was an exception to this rule – but only because he specifically requested (and paid for!) his own Claret Jug to be produced back in 1969. So when the Royal & Ancient began allowing past Champions to order a couple “player” trophies for themselves, their home course, or a museum, etc, despite already having a Claret Jug Tony Jacklin jumped at the opportunity.

And we’re certainly glad that he did!

Offered here is an official Claret Jug, which was fully authorized by the Royal & Ancient and produced by the R&A’s official trophy producer. To our knowledge, the only similar trophy that has ever been publicly sold brought nearly $40,000 at auction. The trophy itself is sterling silver (hallmarked) and measures 12 1/4" tall - nearly identical to Jacklin’s original Claret Jug which sold at auction in early 2015. The magnificent case measures 14 1/4" x 8 1/2", and is embossed with the R&A logo on its silk-lined interior.

Letter of Provenance from Tony Jacklin