Born Lelant, Cornwall (1887 to 1966). ‘Long’ Jim Barnes (he was 6ft 4in) emigrated to the United States in his late teens. A frequent competitor in the Open during the 1920’s, he had many good finishes. His 1925 victory, however, is remembered more for the man who...
Born Earlsferry, Fife (1870 to 1950). The figures above show just how dominant Braid was in his peak years from 1901 to 1912. By 1901 Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor had each won the Open three times yet it was Braid who became the first of them to win the championship...
Born Grouville, Jersey, Channel Islands (1870 to 1937). The most celebrated member of the Great Triumvirate, Harry Vardon changed people’s conception of how well the game could be played. His playing method -which included an overlapping grip, slightly open stance,...
Born St Andrews, Fife (1872 to 1963). One of the youngest to win the Open, Willie Auchterlonie-alas for Scotland was one of the last Scottish-born players resident in Scotland to have won the championship. After J.H. Taylor’s dazzling first round of 75, Auchterlonie...
Born Hoylake, Cheshire (1861 to 1940). John Ball was the first Englishman and the first of only three amateurs to win the Open, sharing with Bobby Jones the distinction of winning the Open and Amateur Championships in the same year. He first entered the Open in 1878...
Born Musselburgh, Midlothian (1864 to 1925). The career of Willie Park Jnr demonstrates changes in the role and status of the professional golfer. The son of a famous father, he was soon involved in club and ball making and won his first tournament at the age of 17....
Born Earlsferry, Fife (c1858 to 1895). The eldest of six golfing brothers, Jack was probably not quite as good a player as his brother Archie but he won the Open Championship. A stonemason from Elie, he emerged as the best player in the Elie Thistle club. A superb...
Born Musselburgh, Midlothian (1848 to 1915). This triple Open champion first made a name for himself at the age of 18 when, with a few borrowed clubs, he beat the cream of the professionals in the Leith Tournament. His 131 for four rounds of Leith’s seven holes so...
Born St Andrews, Fife (1842 to 1905). Only Young Tom Morris has ever managed to win four consecutive Opens. Others have come close, notably Peter Thomson and Bob Ferguson, but Jamie Anderson missed out for a very odd reason. Notice of the championship date was given...
Born St Andrews, Fife (1851 to 1875). ‘Tommy’ Morris eclipsed his contemporaries and totally changed their conception of how well the game could be played-like Vardon, Jones and Hogan in later generations. He excelled in all parts of the game. A powerful striker who...
