The British Open: The 10 best players from each era
By Bill Felber
British Open: The Nicklaus era (1970-79)
During the decade of the 1970s, Nicklaus dominated the British Open as he did all other aspects of golf.
He beat Doug Sanders in a playoff in 1970 and won again in 1978. He would finish second in 1972, 1976, and 1977, and third in 1974 and 1975. Nicklaus added another runner-up in 1979.
Top 10 Players Of The Nicklaus Era.
1. Jack Nicklaus, -2.18
2. Doug Sanders, -1.13
3. Lee Trevino, -0.98
4. Johnny Miller, -0.96
5. Ray Floyd, -0.81
6. Tom Weiskopf, -0.75
7. Tony Jacklin, -0.72
8. Gary Player, -0.70
9. Hubert Green, -0.65
10. Neil Coles, -0.64
Nicklaus in the 1970s was the most dominant player for an extended stretch that the British Open has ever seen. His performance, measuring better than two standard deviations superior to that of his competitors, is also the best for a defined period in major championship history.
Beyond his wins, two of his runner-up finishes – to Trevino in 1972 and to Tom Watson in 1977 – were by margins of a single shot.
Where, by the way, is Watson, the 1975 and 1977 champion? Watson did start the requisite five tournaments necessary to be considered for this list…but he only finished four of them.
A 1976 missed cut limited him to just four actual scores, one fewer than needed to be rated.
Watson’s turn will come in the 1980s.
Sanders is remembered for missing a short putt on the final green in 1970 that allowed Nicklaus entry into a playoff that Jack eventually won. But he also finished top 10 in 1971 and 1972.
Trevino won back-to-back in 1971 and 1972, and Miller won in 1976. In fact, Americans dominated the 1970s Opens, winning eight of them.
Only Gary Player in 1974 and Seve Ballesteros in 1979 held up the honor of the rest of the world.