Royal Birkdale Open Champions, 1954

Royal Birkdale Open Champions, 1954 – 2017

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

2 of 10

Australian golfer Peter Thomson with his trophy after winning the Open Championship. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) /

“The difference between winning and losing is always a mental one.” – Peter Thomson

Australia’s Peter Thomson won his first (1954) and his fifth (1965) and final Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Tomson had turned pro in 1949 and was 23 years old when he won the 1954 Open Championship by a single stroke. As the Championship unfolded during that first playing at Royal Birkdale, the young Australian battled his way through a thicket of players that included Syd Scott, Sam King, Bill Scott, and Dai Rees to edge into the lead during the final round.

It wasn’t an easy fight. With two holes remaining Tomson picked up a shot to grab the lead over Rees. He found the bunker at the last, scrambled well, and tapped in for a 71. Rees missed his putt and Tomson became the first Australian and the youngest man since Bobby Jones to win The Open Championship.

It was a glorious moment for Thomson and for Australian golf.

Home/British Open News