Formed in 2004, and based at St Andrews, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club seeks to engage in and support activities that are undertaken for the benefit of the game of golf.
It takes its name from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the members' club that, before 2009, had responsibility for the game but from which the R&A is now separate and distinct.
The United States Golf Association (the USGA) hosts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as ten other national amateur championships, two state-team championships and several international tournaments.
Together with The R&A, the USGA presides over the game of golf worldwide, governing the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, equipment standards and compliance, and the World Amateur Golf Rankings in partnership.