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. For a brief period of time, the Royal & Ancient allowed past Champions to order a couple “player” trophies for themselves, their home course, or caddie, etc. Only a handful of Open Champions took advantage of this opportunity, and the R&A has discontinued the authorization of trophies. For rather obvious reasons, these stunning trophies are coveted by collectors, but very few were ever produced, and only a couple have reached the collector market. (See Winter 2016 Auction, Tony Jacklin's "Player" Claret Jug, sold for $59,097)

Offered here is an official Claret Jug for 2003 Open Champion Ben Curtis. This trophy was fully authorized by the Royal & Ancient and produced by the R&A’s official trophy producer. The trophy is sterling silver (hallmarked), and measures 12 1/4" tall. The magnificent case measures 14 1/4" x 8 1/2", and is embossed with the R&A logo on its silk-lined interior.

This official Ben Curtis Open Championship Claret Jug is being consigned by his caddie at the 2003 Open, who was given the Claret Jug by Ben Curtis.