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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) /
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The captain of the Prestwick Golf Club speaking before presenting the British Open Golf trophy to American golfer Jim Barnes (left). (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
The captain of the Prestwick Golf Club speaking before presenting the British Open Golf trophy to American golfer Jim Barnes (left). (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) /

Best of the British Open: #16-20

20. Willie Park Sr., -11.58, 1860-1882: Park gained immortality by winning the inaugural Open championship in 1860. He beat a field of eight, playing three rounds in one day on the 12-hole Prestwick course. For the record, Park shot 174, one stroke better than Old Tom Morris. Park would win again in 1864, 1866 and 1875.

19. Arnaud Massy, -11.97, 1902-1921: Massy was the best golfer produced by continental Europe until Seve Ballesteros came along in the 1970s. A 14-time Open participant, he became the first non-British citizen to win when he captured the 1907 title at Hoylake. His score of 312 beat John H. Taylor by two strokes.

18. Reg Whitcombe, -12.50, 1925-1947: Whitcombe’s reputation was obscured in his time by his coming to prominence in the late 1920s when Americans were dominant. An English native, he played in every Open from 1925 through 1947, but truly hit his stride with his runner-up finish to Henry Cotton in 1937. The following year he won by two strokes, then finished third in 1939, the final Open before World War II.

17. Nick Faldo, -12.56, 1976-2006: Tony Jacklin fans may argue, but Faldo was likely the best English player since Henry Cotton, and possibly since Harry Vardon. He won in 1987, dominated in 1990, and claimed the third title in 1992. Beyond that, Faldo produced a runner-up (1993), a third (1988) and a fourth (1996).

16. Jim Barnes, -13.05, 1920-1930: A native of England, Barnes came to America prior to World War I and became the U.S. tour’s first star. He won the first two PGA Championships, added the 1921 U.S. Open, and in 1920 returned for the first British Open since the war’s end, finishing sixth.

Through 1925, Barnes returned four more times, finishing sixth, second, ninth and – in 1925 – beating Ted Ray and Al Compton by a stroke to win the claret jug. He returned annually through 1930, making the top 10 three times.

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