The present course, modelled in 1930, is reputed to be the severest of all Open tests, though Ben Hogan tamed it to win the coveted title in 1953.
Many sons of Carnoustie pioneered the game in the United States. Tom Watson won the first of his five Opens here in 1975 and there are plans to return it to the championship circuit. The publicly owned course is open to all-comers.