Mercedes S-Class returns Claret Jug to The 153rd Open in handcrafted style

Mercedes-Benz unveils a unique S-Class to return the Claret Jug to The Open 2025, fusing MANUFAKTUR craftsmanship with golf tradition in Portrush.

Mercedes-Benz marked the opening of the 153rd Open with a celebration of tradition and craftsmanship: the return of the Claret Jug was accompanied by a bespoke S-Class vehicle, crafted under the MANUFAKTUR programme. At the wheel was defending champion Xander Schauffele, who lifted the silver jug just a year ago.

This S-Class was more than a mode of transport—it was a statement. Its Signature Yacht Blue nappa leather interior was hand-stitched in the official colours of The Open. The Championship’s logo was embroidered on headrest pillows using a stencil made exclusively for the occasion. The same logo was engraved into the centre console, filled meticulously by hand in a process that took two hours to complete.

The return of the Claret Jug is a ritual rooted in the 19th century. First presented in 1872, the Jug must be returned by the reigning champion before the next tournament. Mercedes-Benz has been part of this tradition since at least 2015, using specially commissioned vehicles to turn the moment into a spectacle.

As Official Patron of The Open, Mercedes-Benz contributes far beyond symbolic gestures. During Championship week, players, officials, and select guests travel in a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles. The brand also supports digital and inclusive initiatives—such as integrating tournament coverage into in-car entertainment systems and championing women's golf through its sponsorship of the AIG Women’s Open.

Eyes are also on Mercedes-Benz ambassador Ludvig Åberg. The 25-year-old Swede, runner-up at the 2024 Masters and a member of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team, enters The Open in top form. Ranked ninth in the Official World Golf Ranking, he is considered one of the tournament’s key contenders. Analysts praise his composed and methodical style—an approach well-suited to the often blustery Portrush course.

It is fitting that Royal Portrush hosts once again. The venue made history in 1951 by becoming the first Open venue outside England and Scotland. In 2019, it witnessed Shane Lowry’s emotional victory. History, quite literally, is embedded in these dunes.