Open Greats

A five-time Champion Golfer, winner of the Duel in the Sun and so nearly the architect of one of sport's greatest fairy tales - Tom Watson is an undoubted Open legend.

The American may speak with a Kansas drawl and have two Green Jackets in his wardrobe, but it's the links courses of Britain that will forever be home.

Watson put down roots as soon as he arrived and is a member of an exclusive club of players who became Champion Golfer of the Year at the first attempt. His victory at Carnoustie in 1975 came at the end of an 18-hole play-off with Jack Newton and sparked an incredible run of success.

Defeating Jack Nicklaus in 1977’s Duel in the Sun at Turnberry was perhaps Watson’s greatest moment, while further triumphs at Muirfield, Royal Troon and Royal Birkdale quickly followed.

His haul of five Claret Jugs is one fewer than Harry Vardon, who still holds the record with six Open wins, but in 2009 Watson almost matched it. Twenty-six years after his last major success, the then 59-year-old so nearly became the oldest major champion in history.

He teed off on the 72nd hole at Turnberry knowing just a par would do and, but for a badly-timed breath of wind, he may well have penned one of the greatest comeback stories in sport.

Watson ultimately lost to Stewart Cink in a play-off, but, although there was no sixth Claret Jug in 2009, the respect and admiration for one of golf’s greatest only grew.

Tom Watson’s record at The Open

1975 | Carnoustie

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 279 (71, 67, 69. 72)

1976 | Royal Birkdale

Position: Missed Second Cut

Score: 227 (75, 72, 80)

1977 | Turnberry

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 268 (68, 70, 65, 65)

1978 | St Andrews

Position: T14

Score: 287 (73, 68, 70, 76)

1979 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T26

Score: 297 (72, 68, 76, 81)

1980 | Muirfield

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 271 (68, 70, 64, 69)

1981 | Royal St George’s

Position: T23

Score: 290 (73, 69, 75, 73)

1982 | Royal Troon

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 284 (69, 71, 74, 70)

1983 | Royal Birkdale

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 275 (67, 68, 70, 70)

1984 | St Andrews

Position: T2

Score: 278 (71, 68, 66, 73)

1985 | Royal St George’s

Position: T47

Score: 294 (72, 73, 72, 77)

1986 | Turnberry

Position: T35

Score: 296 (77, 71, 77, 71)

1987 | Muirfield

Position: 7th

Score: 283 (69, 69, 71, 74)

1988 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T28

Score: 290 (74, 72, 72, 72)

1989 | Royal Troon

Position: 4th

Score: 277 (69, 68, 68, 72)

1990 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 145 (72, 73)

1991 | Royal Birkdale

Position: T26

Score: 282 (69, 72, 72, 69)

1992 | Muirfield

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 148 (73, 75)

1993 | Royal St George’s

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 144 (71, 73)

1994 | Turnberry

Position: T11

Score: 276 (68, 65, 69, 74)

1995 | St Andrews

Position: T31

Score: 290 (67, 76, 70, 77)

1997 | Royal Troon

Position: T10

Score: 282 (71, 70, 70, 71)

1998 | Royal Birkdale

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 149 (73, 76)

1999 | Carnoustie

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 155 (82, 73)

2000 | St Andrews

Position: T55

Score: 289 (73, 71, 72, 73)

2001 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 152 (74, 78)

2002 | Muirfield

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 155 (77, 78)

2003 | Royal St George’s

Position: T18

Score: 290 (71, 77, 73, 69)

2005 | St Andrews

Position: T41

Score: 287 (75, 70, 70, 72)

2006 | Royal Liverpool

Position: T48

Score: 288 (72, 70, 75, 71)

2008 | Royal Birkdale

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 150 (74, 76)

2009 | Turnberry

Position: 2nd

Score: 278 (65, 70, 71, 72)

2010 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 148 (73, 75)

2011 | Royal St George’s

Position: T22

Score: 286 (72, 70, 72, 72)

2012 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T77

Score: 292 (71, 72, 76, 73)

2013 | Muirfield

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 153 (75, 78)

2014 | Royal Liverpool

Position: T51

Score: 289 (73, 73, 75, 68)

2015 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 156 (76, 80)