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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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Henry Cotton, who won the British Open Championships three times, driving from the first tee. (Photo by J. A. Hampton/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
Henry Cotton, who won the British Open Championships three times, driving from the first tee. (Photo by J. A. Hampton/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) /

Best of the British Open: #5-6

6. Henry Cotton, -25.01, 1927-1956: Cotton was beyond question the best golfer produced by England between the wars. He won three times (1934, 1937 and 1948), and between 1930 and 1938 never finished worse than 10th.

His 1937 victory at Carnoustie is among the legendary finishes in Open history. The final two rounds were played in a steady, cold rain with gusting winds that reduced several holes to borderline unplayability.

Reg Whitcombe led his brother, Charles, by two strokes and Cotton by three entering the final round, but managed only a 76 in the miserable conditions. Cotton somehow produced a 71 to pass Whitcombe and win by two.

His 1848 victory was a comparative walk in the park, Cotton winning by five strokes.

5. Sandy Herd, -26.23, 1888-1914: Like Ted Ray, much of Herd’s career overlapped the prime period of the Triumverate, a reality that doubtless hurts his record. Nonetheless, he compiled a strong record that included three runner-up finishes and 20 top 10s.

At the 1902 Open, Herd trailed Vardon by four strokes through the first two rounds. But in the morning round of the final 36-hole day, Herd shot 73 to seize a three-stroke lead on Vardon, and he hung on through a shaky afternoon to win by one. Vardon lost his chance to tie Herd when he three-putted the final green. James Braid also came to the final hole with a putt to catch Herd, and he, too, missed.

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