With the Open on the horizon, I have complied a list of what I believe are the 25 greatest moments in the history of the British Open.
Enjoy.
25. 1963-A Win For The Lefties
Bob Charles made history as he became the first left-handed golfer to win a major championship as he defeated Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff by eight strokes.
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| Bob Charles would be the only left-hander to win a major until Mike Weir's win in the 2003 Masters. |
24. 1920-Duncan’s Comeback
After the first day of the tournament, it appeared that George Duncan had no chance to win of winning as he trailed leader Abe Mitchell by 13 shots after shooting back-to-back 80s(the tournament was held on two days from 1912-1925).
But armed with a new driver, Duncan would shoot a 71 on the first 18 holes of Day 1, bringing him to within two shots of leader Len Holland who took the lead after Mitchell shot 84.
Then in the afternoon session, Duncan shot 72 to give him a two-shot win over Sandy Herd, for his first and only Open championship win.
After the first day of the tournament, it appeared that George Duncan had no chance to win of winning as he trailed leader Abe Mitchell by 13 shots after shooting back-to-back 80s(the tournament was held on two days from 1912-1925).
But armed with a new driver, Duncan would shoot a 71 on the first 18 holes of Day 1, bringing him to within two shots of leader Len Holland who took the lead after Mitchell shot 84.
Then in the afternoon session, Duncan shot 72 to give him a two-shot win over Sandy Herd, for his first and only Open championship win.
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| A 15-shot swing help give George Duncan the Claret Jug in the 1920 British Open. |
23. 1922-American Breakthrough
In the 57th Open Championship, Walter Hagen became the first American born player to win the British Open as he came back from a third round 79 to shoot 72 on the final 18 holes to win the tournament by one over Jim Barnes and 1920 Open champion George Duncan.
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Walter Hagen won the first of his four British Open titles in and fourth of his 11 career majors in the 1922 Open Championship. |
22. 2013-Phil’s Greatest Round
When it came to the British Open, Phil Mickelson was not usually a contender as he only had two top-10 finishes in 19 career Open championships.
However, in his 20th British Open, Mickelson put together what his caddy Jim “Bones” Mackay called the best round of Mickelson’s career as Phil shot a final-round 66, including four birdies on the final six holes, to come back from five shots down and pull out a three stroke victory for his fifth career major.
When it came to the British Open, Phil Mickelson was not usually a contender as he only had two top-10 finishes in 19 career Open championships.
However, in his 20th British Open, Mickelson put together what his caddy Jim “Bones” Mackay called the best round of Mickelson’s career as Phil shot a final-round 66, including four birdies on the final six holes, to come back from five shots down and pull out a three stroke victory for his fifth career major.
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| Phil Mickelson celebrates after making a birdie on the 18th hole to finish his final round 66(-6). |
21. 1966-Nicklaus Completes Career Grand Slam
When he arrived for the 1966 Open Championship, 26-year-old Jack Nicklaus had already won five career majors(3 Masters, 1 US Open, 1 PGA) but had never won the British Open.
That all changed when Nicklaus shot a final round 70 to come back from a two-shot deficit to win the Claret Jug by one shot, to became the 4th player to complete the career Grand Slam.
When he arrived for the 1966 Open Championship, 26-year-old Jack Nicklaus had already won five career majors(3 Masters, 1 US Open, 1 PGA) but had never won the British Open.
That all changed when Nicklaus shot a final round 70 to come back from a two-shot deficit to win the Claret Jug by one shot, to became the 4th player to complete the career Grand Slam.
20. 1926-Jones’ Incredible Recovery
Bobby Jones won the first of his three career British Opens in dramatic fashion with one of the greatest shots in Open Championship history.
Down two shots to leader Al Waltrous, the 24-year-old Jones made up the deficit to tie Waltrous as the two headed to the par-4 17th hole at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s, when Jones sent his tee shot wayward to the left where it landed 175 yards away from the green behind some sand dunes.
Meanwhile, Waltrous had gotten to the green in two shots and appeared to be on the verge of retaking the lead when Jones pulled out a 4-iron and hit a shot that went over the sand dunes and landed inside of Waltrous’ ball.
Jones would two-putt to save par while Waltrous would three-putt for bogey, giving the lead to Jones, which he held onto as he won by two strokes.
Down two shots to leader Al Waltrous, the 24-year-old Jones made up the deficit to tie Waltrous as the two headed to the par-4 17th hole at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s, when Jones sent his tee shot wayward to the left where it landed 175 yards away from the green behind some sand dunes.
Meanwhile, Waltrous had gotten to the green in two shots and appeared to be on the verge of retaking the lead when Jones pulled out a 4-iron and hit a shot that went over the sand dunes and landed inside of Waltrous’ ball.
Jones would two-putt to save par while Waltrous would three-putt for bogey, giving the lead to Jones, which he held onto as he won by two strokes.
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| In 1926, Bobby Jones became the first golfer to win the U.S. Open and the British Open in the same year. |
19. 1983-Irwin’s Whiff
In the third round at the par-3 14th, Hale Irwin had a chance to make birdie, but his putt stopped one inch of the cup.
As he went in to tap in, Irwin swung and missed the ball, then put the ball in the hole for an apparent par.
But golf rules say that any swing of the club with the intent to hit the ball counts as a stroke even if it doesn’t make contact, meaning that Irwin actually bogeyed the 14th hole.
The “whiff” would come back to haunt Irwin as he would finish in second place, one stroke behind winner Tom Watson.
In the third round at the par-3 14th, Hale Irwin had a chance to make birdie, but his putt stopped one inch of the cup.
As he went in to tap in, Irwin swung and missed the ball, then put the ball in the hole for an apparent par.
But golf rules say that any swing of the club with the intent to hit the ball counts as a stroke even if it doesn’t make contact, meaning that Irwin actually bogeyed the 14th hole.
The “whiff” would come back to haunt Irwin as he would finish in second place, one stroke behind winner Tom Watson.
(Click twice to play the clip)
18. 1949-The Broken Glass Incident
In the second round at the par-4 5th at Royal St. George’s, Harry Bradshaw sent his drive into the rough where it landed in a broken beer bottle.
Instead of taking a drop, Bradshaw decided to play the ball from the bottle and was only able to move the ball 25 yards as he ended up with a double bogey on the hole.
Many feel if Bradshaw had taken the drop, he would have not ended up with a double bogey and possibly won the tournament in regulation as he finished in a tie for the lead after 72 holes with Bobby Locke, leading to a 36-hole playoff which Locke won easily as he finished 12 strokes ahead of Bradshaw to capture the first of his three Open Championships.
In the second round at the par-4 5th at Royal St. George’s, Harry Bradshaw sent his drive into the rough where it landed in a broken beer bottle.
Instead of taking a drop, Bradshaw decided to play the ball from the bottle and was only able to move the ball 25 yards as he ended up with a double bogey on the hole.
Many feel if Bradshaw had taken the drop, he would have not ended up with a double bogey and possibly won the tournament in regulation as he finished in a tie for the lead after 72 holes with Bobby Locke, leading to a 36-hole playoff which Locke won easily as he finished 12 strokes ahead of Bradshaw to capture the first of his three Open Championships.
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| Circled is the broken beer bottle that Harry Bradshaw chose to play his ball out of in the second round of the 1949 Open. |
17. 2012-Scott’s Slide
Adam Scott was four holes away from winning his first major as he held a four-shot lead with four holes to play until he bogeyed the next three holes to drop him until a tie for the lead with Ernie Els, who was already in the clubhouse making four birdies on the back nine to finish at seven under par as Scott came to the 18th with a chance to win.
But Scott missed a 8-foot putt that would have forced a playoff, giving Els his second Open championship and fourth career major.
16. 1932-Birth of the Sand Wedge
When Gene Sarazen arrived at the Prince’s Golf Club for the 1932 Open Championship, he brought with him a new club; a lofted club with a flange lower than the leading edge that would allow to get better shots whenever he got caught in a sand bunker.
This new club, which became known as the sand wedge, helped Sarazen lead wire-to-wire and win the British Open by five shots over MacDonald Smith, for the fourth of Sarazen’s seven career major titles.
When Gene Sarazen arrived at the Prince’s Golf Club for the 1932 Open Championship, he brought with him a new club; a lofted club with a flange lower than the leading edge that would allow to get better shots whenever he got caught in a sand bunker.
This new club, which became known as the sand wedge, helped Sarazen lead wire-to-wire and win the British Open by five shots over MacDonald Smith, for the fourth of Sarazen’s seven career major titles.
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| Gene Sarazen with his sand wedge which he debuted at the 1932 Open Championship. |
15. 2017-Spieth Strikes Back
It was beginning to look another collapse for Jordan Spieth at a major as he shot four over par after the first 13 holes of the final round, as his three-shot lead evaporated into a one-shot deficit behind Matt Kuchar with five holes to play.
But Speith, who lost the 2016 Masters after holding a five-shot lead with nine holes to go, come back with a tee shot on the par-3 14th that almost went in for a hole-in-one and ended up birding the hole to tie Kuchar, then hit a 50-foot eagle on the par-5 15th to retake the lead, followed by birdies on 16 and 17 to claim the Claret Jug with a three-shot victory over Kuchar.
Two months after his father’s death, Tiger Woods won his first tournament since the loss of his mentor as he won by two shots over Chris DiMarco for his second straight Open Championship and third overall.
After making the putt on the final hole to secure the victory, Woods embraced his caddy, Steve Williams, and began to cry.
13. 1972-Trevino’s Chip-In
Lee Trevino and Tony Jacklin went to the par-5 17th hole at Muirfield tied for the lead in the final round when Trevino hit his tee shot into a bunker and then into the rough on his third shot as Jacklin got to the green in three shots, and was 15 feet away from a birdie and taking the lead.
That is when Trevino, who was still not on the green, chipped in his fifth shot into the hole for an unlikely par that seemed to rattle Jacklin as he three-putted for a bogey, giving Trevino a one-shot lead as the two headed to the par-4 18th.
Once again, Jacklin would bogey while Trevino would par allowing for “SuperMex” to win the Claret Jug for the second year in a row.
Lee Trevino and Tony Jacklin went to the par-5 17th hole at Muirfield tied for the lead in the final round when Trevino hit his tee shot into a bunker and then into the rough on his third shot as Jacklin got to the green in three shots, and was 15 feet away from a birdie and taking the lead.
That is when Trevino, who was still not on the green, chipped in his fifth shot into the hole for an unlikely par that seemed to rattle Jacklin as he three-putted for a bogey, giving Trevino a one-shot lead as the two headed to the par-4 18th.
Once again, Jacklin would bogey while Trevino would par allowing for “SuperMex” to win the Claret Jug for the second year in a row.
12. 2007-Carnoustie Chaos
Carnoustie lived up to its nickname “Carnasty” in the 2007 Open Championship as Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia struggled in the final 18 holes as each of them try to win their first major championship.
Garcia started the day with a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker, with Harrington in a seven-way tie for third place, six shots behind Garcia.
As Garcia struggled as he shot a 38(+2) on the front nine, Harrington caught fire as he made four birdies and an eagle to take a one-shot lead over Garcia as he prepared to play the par-4 18th.
That is when Harrington put two balls into the water, resulting in a double bogey and giving the lead back to Garcia by one shot as he headed to the 18th.
Garcia had a chance to claim his first major if he could make a 10-foot par putt, but the ball lipped out of the cup and Garcia had to settle for a bogey and a four-hole playoff with Harrington.
Garcia bogeyed the first hole of the playoff while Harrington birdied the first hole, allowing for Harington to go on the claim Claret Jug and become the first Irishmen in 60 years to win the Open Championship.
Carnoustie lived up to its nickname “Carnasty” in the 2007 Open Championship as Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia struggled in the final 18 holes as each of them try to win their first major championship.
Garcia started the day with a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker, with Harrington in a seven-way tie for third place, six shots behind Garcia.
As Garcia struggled as he shot a 38(+2) on the front nine, Harrington caught fire as he made four birdies and an eagle to take a one-shot lead over Garcia as he prepared to play the par-4 18th.
That is when Harrington put two balls into the water, resulting in a double bogey and giving the lead back to Garcia by one shot as he headed to the 18th.
Garcia had a chance to claim his first major if he could make a 10-foot par putt, but the ball lipped out of the cup and Garcia had to settle for a bogey and a four-hole playoff with Harrington.
Garcia bogeyed the first hole of the playoff while Harrington birdied the first hole, allowing for Harington to go on the claim Claret Jug and become the first Irishmen in 60 years to win the Open Championship.
11. 1953-Hogan Completes Triple Crown Season
In his only appearance at the Open Championship, Ben Hogan became the first golfer to win three majors in the same year(he won the Masters and US Open earlier in 1953) as he fought off the flu to win by four shots over Antonio Cerda as Hogan shot a final round 68 for his ninth and final career major as he finished his 1953 season with his fifth victory out of the six tournaments he entered.
In his only appearance at the Open Championship, Ben Hogan became the first golfer to win three majors in the same year(he won the Masters and US Open earlier in 1953) as he fought off the flu to win by four shots over Antonio Cerda as Hogan shot a final round 68 for his ninth and final career major as he finished his 1953 season with his fifth victory out of the six tournaments he entered.
10. 1960-Nagle Denies The King
After winning the Masters and US Open earlier in the year, Arnold Palmer traveled to St. Andrews for the Open Championship and try to join Ben Hogan as the only players to win the Masters, the US Open, and the British Open in the same year.
However, Palmer’s quest was denied by Kel Nagle, a 39-year-old Australian who had never finished in the top 10 of any major championship, as he held off a late charge from Palmer, who birdied three of the last six holes, by making a 10-foot par on the 18th hole to win by one shot over Arnie.
Still, Palmer’s appearance at the Open Championship helped revitalize the tournament in America as more American golfers made the overseas trip to play for the Claret Jug, which Palmer would win the next two years.
After winning the Masters and US Open earlier in the year, Arnold Palmer traveled to St. Andrews for the Open Championship and try to join Ben Hogan as the only players to win the Masters, the US Open, and the British Open in the same year.
However, Palmer’s quest was denied by Kel Nagle, a 39-year-old Australian who had never finished in the top 10 of any major championship, as he held off a late charge from Palmer, who birdied three of the last six holes, by making a 10-foot par on the 18th hole to win by one shot over Arnie.
Still, Palmer’s appearance at the Open Championship helped revitalize the tournament in America as more American golfers made the overseas trip to play for the Claret Jug, which Palmer would win the next two years.
9. 2000-Tiger’s Domination
Five weeks after his dominating performance at Pebble Beach to win the US Open by 15 strokes, Tiger Woods made another legendary golf course look easy, as he once again obliterated the field, this time at the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews.
Woods shot a course record 269 to finish 19 strokes under par, the lowest score in relation to par in any major championship until 2015, as he won by eight shots over Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn to become the fifth player to complete the career grand slam and the youngest at age 24.
Five weeks after his dominating performance at Pebble Beach to win the US Open by 15 strokes, Tiger Woods made another legendary golf course look easy, as he once again obliterated the field, this time at the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews.
Woods shot a course record 269 to finish 19 strokes under par, the lowest score in relation to par in any major championship until 2015, as he won by eight shots over Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn to become the fifth player to complete the career grand slam and the youngest at age 24.
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| Tiger Woods kisses the Claret Jug after completing the career Grand Slam with win in the 2000 Open. |
8. 1979-Swashbuckling Seve
Over and over again, Seve Ballesteros could not find the fairway during the final round at Royal Lytham as his tee shots landed in the rough on nine of the 18 holes, eight of them when using the driver.
But over and over again, Ballesteros would manage to recover and salvage a par on get a birdie, including one on the par-4 16th, when his tee shot landed in a temporary parking lot, then was given a free drop(no penalty)and was able to hit his second shot that managed to get on the edge of the green which he followed up with a 30-foot putt that he made for birdie, as the 22-year-old Spaniard went to win the first of his three career Open Championships and help kickstart a new era of great European golfers.
Over and over again, Seve Ballesteros could not find the fairway during the final round at Royal Lytham as his tee shots landed in the rough on nine of the 18 holes, eight of them when using the driver.
But over and over again, Ballesteros would manage to recover and salvage a par on get a birdie, including one on the par-4 16th, when his tee shot landed in a temporary parking lot, then was given a free drop(no penalty)and was able to hit his second shot that managed to get on the edge of the green which he followed up with a 30-foot putt that he made for birdie, as the 22-year-old Spaniard went to win the first of his three career Open Championships and help kickstart a new era of great European golfers.
7. 2009-Watson Gets ‘Cinked’
Tom Watson had already established himself as one of the greatest golfers in British Open history with his five Open Championships and he almost made it six in 2009 at the age of 59.
Watson was close to the leaderboard throughout the entire tournament and entered the final hole with a one-shot lead and a chance to tie Harry Vardon’s record of six career British Open titles.
But his second shot slid off the green and Watson ended up bogeying, leading to a four-hole playoff with Stewart Cink.
In the playoff, Watson imploded as he bogeyed on the first hole of the playoff, then triple bogeyed on the third hole, allowing for Cink to win by six shots and denying Watson for becoming the oldest player to win a major.
Tom Watson had already established himself as one of the greatest golfers in British Open history with his five Open Championships and he almost made it six in 2009 at the age of 59.
Watson was close to the leaderboard throughout the entire tournament and entered the final hole with a one-shot lead and a chance to tie Harry Vardon’s record of six career British Open titles.
But his second shot slid off the green and Watson ended up bogeying, leading to a four-hole playoff with Stewart Cink.
In the playoff, Watson imploded as he bogeyed on the first hole of the playoff, then triple bogeyed on the third hole, allowing for Cink to win by six shots and denying Watson for becoming the oldest player to win a major.
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Tom Watson(right) looks on as Stewart Cink holds the Claret Jug after he defeated Watson in a four-hole playoff in the 2009 Open. |
6. 1995-Rocca's Miracle Putt
It seemed like John Daly had his second career major championship locked when Constantino Rocca, who was one shot behind Daly, misplayed his second shot on the par-4 18th at St. Andrews, leaving him 60 feet away from the cup in the area known as the “Valley of Sin” and needing a birdie to force a playoff.
Daly and his wife watched on as Rocca incredibly made the putt to force the playoff with Daly.
It seemed like John Daly had his second career major championship locked when Constantino Rocca, who was one shot behind Daly, misplayed his second shot on the par-4 18th at St. Andrews, leaving him 60 feet away from the cup in the area known as the “Valley of Sin” and needing a birdie to force a playoff.
Daly and his wife watched on as Rocca incredibly made the putt to force the playoff with Daly.
5. 2016-The Duel at Troon
Henrik Stenson ties the major championship record for lowest score in a single round as his final round 63 is enough to edge Phil Mickelson in a memorable duel at Royal Troon.
Stenson enters the final round with a one-shot lead over Mickelson but quickly falls behind one shot after bogeying the first hole while Mickelson grabs a birdie.
But Stenson storms back with five birdies over the next eight holes to retake a one-shot lead after the front nine.
The two are tied after the 11th following another bogey by Stenson, but the Swede would bounce back with three consecutive birdies on 13, 14, and 15, with the last one at 15 being a 51-foot putt.
Stenson would finish the round with another birdie at 18 to give him a three-shot win over Mickelson and the record for lowest total score at a British Open with 264 or 20 under par.
Henrik Stenson(right) embraces Phil Mickelson after their incredible duel at the 2016 British Open.
4. 2003-Who is Ben Curtis?
That is what were many golf fans and experts were thinking when 26-year-old Ben Curtis, the 396th ranked player in the world, stunned everybody to win the Open Championship.
Starting the final round in a five-way tie for third place, Curtis made up a two-shot deficit as he birdied six of the first 11 holes until he bogeyed four of the last seven holes to finish one stroke under par and three shots behind leader Thomas Bjorn as he went to the 15th hole.
But Bjorn would go bogey-double bogey-bogey-par on the last four holes, giving the Claret Jug to Curtis in his first career major appearance.
That is what were many golf fans and experts were thinking when 26-year-old Ben Curtis, the 396th ranked player in the world, stunned everybody to win the Open Championship.
Starting the final round in a five-way tie for third place, Curtis made up a two-shot deficit as he birdied six of the first 11 holes until he bogeyed four of the last seven holes to finish one stroke under par and three shots behind leader Thomas Bjorn as he went to the 15th hole.
But Bjorn would go bogey-double bogey-bogey-par on the last four holes, giving the Claret Jug to Curtis in his first career major appearance.
3. 1970-Sanders’ Missed Putt
After salvaging par following a shot into on the famous par-4 17th “Road Hole”, Doug Sanders went to the par-4 18th hole with a one-shot lead over Jack Nicklaus and a chance to win the Open Championship.
Sanders got to the green in two shots and even though his birdie putt stopped two-and-half feet short of the cup, he still the British Open title on his putter if he could tap in for par.
But as he was preparing for his potential winning putt, Sanders saw something in his line and picked it away.
Many believed this screwed up his routine because Sanders ended up missing the putt, allowing for a 18-hole playoff to commence the next day with Nicklaus.
After salvaging par following a shot into on the famous par-4 17th “Road Hole”, Doug Sanders went to the par-4 18th hole with a one-shot lead over Jack Nicklaus and a chance to win the Open Championship.
Sanders got to the green in two shots and even though his birdie putt stopped two-and-half feet short of the cup, he still the British Open title on his putter if he could tap in for par.
But as he was preparing for his potential winning putt, Sanders saw something in his line and picked it away.
Many believed this screwed up his routine because Sanders ended up missing the putt, allowing for a 18-hole playoff to commence the next day with Nicklaus.
2. 1999-Van de Velde’s Collapse
When it comes to collapses in golf, this one is seen as the ultimate in giving away a tournament.
Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, who had taken over the lead since the second round, went to the par-4 18th at Carnoustie with a three-shot lead.
Despite the comfortable lead, Van de Velde pulled out his driver for his tee shot, which went so far right it landed on the 17th fairway.
Van de Velde continued to play aggressively as he pulled out his 2-iron, instead of a wedge and laying up, as the Frenchman wanted to go for the green.
That is when the wheels began to fall off as Van de Velde’s second shot landed in knee-deep rough after bouncing off the grandstand, which was followed by his third shot landing in the Barry Burn, the river that streamed through the 18th hole.
As if it could not get any more shocking, Van de Velde took his shoes and socks, preparing to hit his fourth shot out of the water, instead of taking a drop.
He decided to take the drop for his fourth shot, which was followed by a shot that landed in a bunker.
Van de Velde was able to get out of the bunker on his sixth shot and then drain a eight-foot putt for a triple bogey, allowing Van de Velde to continuing playing in a four-hole playoff.
When it comes to collapses in golf, this one is seen as the ultimate in giving away a tournament.
Frenchman Jean Van de Velde, who had taken over the lead since the second round, went to the par-4 18th at Carnoustie with a three-shot lead.
Despite the comfortable lead, Van de Velde pulled out his driver for his tee shot, which went so far right it landed on the 17th fairway.
Van de Velde continued to play aggressively as he pulled out his 2-iron, instead of a wedge and laying up, as the Frenchman wanted to go for the green.
That is when the wheels began to fall off as Van de Velde’s second shot landed in knee-deep rough after bouncing off the grandstand, which was followed by his third shot landing in the Barry Burn, the river that streamed through the 18th hole.
As if it could not get any more shocking, Van de Velde took his shoes and socks, preparing to hit his fourth shot out of the water, instead of taking a drop.
He decided to take the drop for his fourth shot, which was followed by a shot that landed in a bunker.
Van de Velde was able to get out of the bunker on his sixth shot and then drain a eight-foot putt for a triple bogey, allowing Van de Velde to continuing playing in a four-hole playoff.
However the damage was done, as Van de Velde’s meltdown allowed Paul Lawrie, who began the day 10 shots back of Van de Velde, to come away and claim the Claret Jug(after the engraver erased Van de Velde’s name)as he birdied the last two holes of the playoff to pull off the greatest final round comeback in major championship history.
1. 1977-Duel in The Sun
It is considered the greatest duel not only in British Open history, but in major championship history; the famous duel between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at the 1977 Open Championship on a sunny day in Turnberry, Scotland that became known as the “Duel In The Sun”.
Tied for the lead as the final round began, Nicklaus was able to jump out to a three-shot lead after four holes, thanks to two birdies from “The Golden Bear” and a bogey by Watson.
But Watson quickly made up the deficit as he birdied three of the next four holes to tie Nicklaus, only to bogey the 9th hole, to fall one shot behind Jack as the two finished the front nine.
Then after Nicklaus birdied the 12th hole to up his lead to two shots, Watson birdied three of the next five holes to take a one-shot lead going to the par-4 18th.
Watson seemed to have the Open Championship locked as it took him two shots to get two feet from the hole while Nicklaus had sent his tee shot into the rough.
However, Nicklaus would use a 8-iron to got onto the green with his second shot, then he drained a putt from 35 feet out for birdie to tie him with Watson for the lead.
But unlike 1970(see moment 3), Watson would make his chip-shot putt to give him the second of his five Claret Jugs.
It is considered the greatest duel not only in British Open history, but in major championship history; the famous duel between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at the 1977 Open Championship on a sunny day in Turnberry, Scotland that became known as the “Duel In The Sun”.
Tied for the lead as the final round began, Nicklaus was able to jump out to a three-shot lead after four holes, thanks to two birdies from “The Golden Bear” and a bogey by Watson.
But Watson quickly made up the deficit as he birdied three of the next four holes to tie Nicklaus, only to bogey the 9th hole, to fall one shot behind Jack as the two finished the front nine.
Then after Nicklaus birdied the 12th hole to up his lead to two shots, Watson birdied three of the next five holes to take a one-shot lead going to the par-4 18th.
Watson seemed to have the Open Championship locked as it took him two shots to get two feet from the hole while Nicklaus had sent his tee shot into the rough.
However, Nicklaus would use a 8-iron to got onto the green with his second shot, then he drained a putt from 35 feet out for birdie to tie him with Watson for the lead.
But unlike 1970(see moment 3), Watson would make his chip-shot putt to give him the second of his five Claret Jugs.
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Tom Watson(green shirt) and Jack Nicklaus shake hands after their incredible final round duel in the 1977 British Open. |
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