150th Open: Women major winners and amateurs to take part in 'celebrations of champions' event at St Andrews

In announcements marking 150 days to go until the historic occasion, it has also been revealed by the R&A that a Celebration of Light will be staged in the Fife town at the end of March while a ticket resale platform is also about to be launched.

A ‘Champions’ Challenge’ was held at the Millenium Open in 2000, when all the surviving champions from Sam Snead to Paul Lawrie were invited to compete in a four-hole exhibition event.

That will be the same number of holes for the event on Monday, 11 July, but an expanded version - it will feature a field of 48 players - is likely to prove more appealing to golf fans as it is beamed live around the world.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We are bringing together golf’s greatest names with current and future stars of the sport for a unique and very fitting exhibition over the Old Course.

“They represent the past, present and future of this wonderful sport and reflect our purpose to ensure that golf is inclusive and accessible to everyone.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming fans from all over the world to St Andrews for The 150th Open and The R&A Celebration of Champions will be a real highlight in what already promises to be a very special week and a momentous occasion for sport.”

The decision to hold such an event has been welcomed by both defending champion Collin Morikawa and five-time Open winner Tom Watson.

“It’s going to be very special to come to St Andrews for The 150th Open as defending champion and it will be a real honour to play alongside legends of our game in The R&A Celebration of Champions," said Morikawa.

Watson, a global ambassador for The Open, commented: “The Open has provided me with so many cherished moments throughout my life