The "Golden Bear" and 18-time major winner won the first of his three Opens and completed the first of his three career grand slams along the southeastern Scottish coast in 1966, then called the par-71 layout "the best golf course in Britain."

On banners and flags and buntings of grandstands there are images of the claret jug, a reminder of what's at stake at the British Open. But add this to the list of what makes golf's oldest championship so distinct from the other majors: Every year it feels like a new experience.