Open golf championship to return to St Andrews in 2015

The claret jug will be up for grabs at St Andrews again in 2015

The Open is set to return to the home of golf after it was confirmed the tournament will be held at St Andrews in 2015.

The announcement means the Old Course will have hosted the competition a total of 29 times.

Golf's governing body, the R&A, said St Andrews had proven itself a worthy host for the championship, which was last held at the course in 2010.

The sport is big business in Scotland, worth £220m to the economy.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said: "St Andrews has proved time and again that it is perfectly equipped to host The Open and I am certain we will yet again see a worthy winner lift the claret jug.

"Players, spectators and officials alike will welcome a return to the game's spiritual home and I fully expect that we will witness another thrilling championship."

The competition will take place between 16 and 19 July 2015.

Euan Loudon, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: "We are very much looking forward to welcoming The Open championship back to the links.

"There is always a special sense of anticipation when The Open is played on the Old Course and it promises to be no different in 2015.

"Almost every great champion in the game has played here and there is no more fitting celebration of the rich heritage of the home of golf than hosting golf's oldest major championship."

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen won the 2010 Open by seven shots with a 16-under par total of 272.