Pro Golf Now
Fansided

From Park to Woods: The best at the British Open

By Bill Felber

British golfer Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987), right, congratulating American player Walter Hagen (1892 - 1969) on breaking the record at the last hole at the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, watched by their caddies. Original Publication: People Disc - HH0235 (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
British golfer Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987), right, congratulating American player Walter Hagen (1892 - 1969) on breaking the record at the last hole at the British Open Golf Championship at Muirfield, watched by their caddies. Original Publication: People Disc - HH0235 (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
Arnold Palmer takes a practice swing before the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Birkdale in 1961. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Arnold Palmer takes a practice swing before the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Birkdale in 1961. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) /

Best of the British Open: #21-25

25. Willie Fernie, -9.80, 1873-1904: Fernie won the 1883 tournament at Musselburgh in a playoff over Bob Ferguson. He played in every Open championship between 1881 and 1906, finishing second four times and third once.

24. Arnold Palmer, -9.94, 1960-1980: Palmer played in 15 Opens between 1960 and 1980, winning in 1961 and 1962. Those victories brought international attention to the tournament and reinfused interest in it among American players. He finished second in his debut performance in 1960, but after his two wins never again finished higher than seventh, dampening his career score.

23. Christy O’Connor Sr., -10.99, 1951-1974: One of the fixtures of golf in Ireland, O’Connor played in every Open but one between 1951 and 1974. Although never a victor, he was a consistent contender, finishing second to Peter Thomson in 1965, third in 1958 and 1961, and compiling 10 top 10s.

22. Gene Sarazen, -11.10, 1924-1936: Sarazen’s victory in 1932 capped a decade of trying for the American star. He had finished second to Walter Hagen in 1928 and third in 1931. Between 1928 and 1933 he made five Open appearances, finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and 8th.

21. Lee Trevino, -11.43, 1969-1992: Trevino’s third-place finish in 1970 opened Britishers’ eyes. He returned to win in 1971 and 1972. In 1972 at Muirfield, he birdied five consecutive holes during the third round, then in the final round chipped in from the fringe on 17 to hold off Jack Nicklaus by one stroke

Home/British Open News