British open ‘25: Tiger Woods and Tom Watson part of history at golf's oldest championship
150 years ago (1875)Site: Prestwick.Winner: Willie Park Sr.Runner-up: Bob Martin.Score: 56-59-51–166.Margin: 2 shots.Winners share: 8 pounds.Noteworthy: Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris did not play because the wife of Young Tom Morris died six days before the championship while giving birth. Young Tom Morris also died later that year.The Glasgow Herald: 'The annual competition for the golf championship of Scotland took place on Prestwick Links and resulted in favor of Willie Park of Musselburgh. The game consisted of 36 holes and was completed by Park in 166 strokes. In the absence of the famous Morrises of St. Andrews who are at present mourning a severe domestic calamity only two representatives of the Kingdom were present but one of them Bob Martin won second place in the competition.'
125 years ago (1900)Site: St. Andrews.Winner: J.H. Taylor.Runner-up: Harry Vardon.Score: 79-77-78-75–309.Margin: 8 shots.Winners share: 50 pounds.Noteworthy: This was a period when Taylor and Harry Vardon had won five of the previous six British Open titles.AP story: 'J.H. Taylor won the open golf championship on the St. Andrews links today. Taylor's win was a popular one. His score was 309 for the four rounds being thirteen strokes better than his victory on the same grounds in 1895. The weather was dull but favorable for good scoring. By his victory at St. Andrews yesterday Taylor scores his third triumph in the English open championships. His first success was gained in 1894 over the same links and it is a noteworthy fact that up to that time the title had never been won by an English professional.'
100 years ago (1925)Site: Prestwick.Winner: Jim Barnes.Runners-up: Archie Compston and Ted Ray.Score: 70-77-79-74–300Margin: 1 shot.Winners share: 75 pounds.Noteworthy: This was the final British Open held at Prestwick. Troon replaced it as the links in the southwest of Scotland.AP story: 'The British open golf championship will be carried back to the United States by Long Jim Barnes who won it today. His score of 300 strokes for the 72 holes over links at Prestwick led all the others of the 83 competitors. His victory marked the fourth in five summers of the Americans in the historic tournament. The Britons Edward Ray champions of years ago and Archie Compston of North Manchester failed by but one stroke of equaling Barnes winning score. Each scored a 301. They both missed final putts on the last green and lost their chance to tie Barnes.'
75 years ago (1950)Site: Troon GC.Winner: Bobby Locke.Runner-up: Roberto De Vicenzo.Score: 69-72-70-68–279Margin: 2 shots.Winners share: 1500 pounds.Noteworthy: Locke set the 72-hole scoring record which he matched seven years later.AP story: 'Bobby Locke walking as if the Troon fairways were carpeted with eggs came up with a fourth round 68 today that won him the British Open Golf title for the second straight year and lowered a scoring mark that had stood since 1932. The South African finished with a 279 on rounds of 69-72-70-68 over the par 70 course. His aggregate wiped out the previous low winning total of 283 posted by Gene Sarazen 18 years ago. Behind Locke came Roberto De Vicenzo of Argentina who carded a 281 and also broke Sarazen's record. Only because it retained the championship for Locke did his hot round overshadow a sensational 66 which Frank Stranahan of Toledo Ohio fired in a vain attempt to place the open trophy beside the British amateur award he won earlier this spring.'
50 years ago (1975)Site: Carnoustie.Winner: Tom Watson.Runner-up: Jack Newton.Score: 71-67-69-72-279Margin: Playoff (Watson 71 Newton 72).Winners share: 7500 pounds.Noteworthy: This was the final 18-hole playoff at the British Open. It was changed to a four-hole aggregate playoff in 1985 (first used in 1989).AP story: 'Tom Watson a 25-year-old who has blown chances in three major championships kept his cool Sunday and won the British Open golf championship on the rainswept 18th hole of a playoff when Jack Newton missed a tying par putt by inches. Watson who finished the extra round in 1-under-par 71 holed a 30-foot chip for an eagle on the 14th to take a one-shot lead then bogeyed the 16th putting him and his 25-year-old Australian challenger even going to the 18th. Watson parred. Newton blasted out of a greenside bunker and needed a 12-foot putt to stay alive. He just missed and the title and the 16500 first prize belonged to Watson.'
25 years ago (2000)Site: St. Andrews GC.Winner: Tiger Woods.Runners-up: Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn.Score: 67-66-67-69–269.Margin: 8 shots.Winners share: 500000.Noteworthy: Woods played the ninth hole during the practice round with a replica of a gutta percha. He hit driver and 5-iron just over the back of the green and got up-and-down for par.AP story: 'Five hundred years of legend and lore hardly prepared golf's hallowed home for Tiger Woods. On the same linksland that Old Tom Morris nurtured and Jack Nicklaus conquered along came a 24-year-old with a keen eye for history. Woods not only became the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam he completed it faster than any of the four greats who did it before him. The final piece came Sunday when Woods held the silver claret jug under the cool grey skies of St. Andrews after another record-breaking performance to win the British Open. Challenged briefly by David Duval Woods pulled away for an eight-stroke victory. It wasn't quite as overwhelming as his 15-stroke victory in the US Open last month but it was the largest in 87 years of golf's oldest championship.'
20 years ago (2005)Site: St. Andrews.Winner: Tiger Woods.Runner-up: Colin Montgomerie.Score: 66-67-71-70-274Margin: 5 shots.Winners share: 720000.Noteworthy: Jack Nicklaus missed the cut in his 164th and final major championship. Woods won each of the four majors Nicklaus played for the final time.AP story: 'Sunday brought yet another grand crossing over the Swilcan Bridge: The defiant return of Tiger Woods. Two days after Jack Nicklaus bade an emotional farewell to the majors Woods took another step toward the Golden Bears record with another ruthless performance at St. Andrews closing with a 2-under 70 to win the British Open for his 10th career major. He won by five shots the largest margin in any major since Woods won by eight at St. Andrews five years ago. This one also had a sense of inevitability with Woods taking the lead on the ninth hole of the first round. No one caught him over the final 63. He joined Nicklaus as the only players to win the career Grand Slam twice and Woods completed his own version of the slam that shows how their careers are so indelibly linked — he now has won all four majors that Nicklaus played for the last time.'
10 years ago (2015)Site: St. Andrews.Winner: Zach Johnson.Runners-up: Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman.Score: 66-71-70-66–273Margin: Playoff (Johnson 3-3-5-4 Oosthuizen 3-4-5-4 Leishman 5-4-5-4).Winners share: 1150000 poundsNoteworthy: Rory McIlroy was the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 who did not defend his title because of an ankle surgery from playing soccer.AP story: 'Zach Johnson cradled the silver claret jug in his arms. Jordan Spieth let it slip through his fingers. Spieth was right where he wanted to be in his spirited bid for the Grand Slam — tied for the lead with two holes to go in the British Open right after making a 50-foot birdie putt that made it feel as though he were destined to win at St. Andrews for his third straight major. And he was still there at the very end Monday but only as a spectator. The slam gone Spieth graciously returned to the steps of the Royal & Ancient clubhouse to watch Johnson finish off a sterling performance of his own. Johnson rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that got him into a three-man playoff and he outlasted Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman to win the British Open.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club takes early lead at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
DUBAI: At the end of the fifth round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship on Saturday, Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club topped the standings, with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club second place and ADMA (Abu Dhabi Martial Arts) third. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The event is being held at Al-Nasr Club in Dubai, with competitors from clubs and academies throughout the UAE. Day 1 featured strong competition in the U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories, while Sunday will feature bouts in the U-18, Adult and Masters categories. Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the championship is an important platform for discovering and nurturing talent across different age groups. 'The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship provides athletes with an ideal opportunity to develop their skills in a professional and competitive environment, while instilling values of discipline, confidence, and commitment,' he said. 'We are confident that the athletes will give their best in a championship that carries such a prestigious name, raising the level of competition and fulfilling the goals of the tournament.' Mishaal Jalfar, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, said: 'We are delighted to be present at such a major event. The importance of jiu-jitsu is clear, not only in promoting self-confidence, determination, and perseverance, but also in its diverse physical benefits. Today we witnessed an impressive crowd and excellent organisation, reflecting the sport's rising popularity and the strong support it enjoys across the UAE.' Javid Mohammadzadeh, father of Javad Mohammadzadeh, a Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club athlete competing in the U-16 60 kg category, said: 'Javad has been practising jiu-jitsu for many years. He chose the sport himself and has a deep passion for it, dedicating long hours to training. Competing in such an important championship gives him a chance to learn, grow, and test himself against athletes of different levels.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Twisted Minds Secures Saudi Arabia's Third Title at Esports World Cup 2025
The Saudi team Twisted Minds added a new achievement to the Kingdom's esports record after being crowned on Saturday with the PUBG: Battlegrounds championship title at the Esports World Cup 2025, securing the Kingdom's third title in the global tournament, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. The team secured first place along with a cash prize of $661,000 and 1,000 points in the club ranking. South Korea's Gen.G Esports came in second, earning $302,000 and 750 points, followed by Saudi Arabia's Team Falcons in third place with $208,000 and 500 points, while Vietnam's The Expendables ranked fourth with $141,000 and 300 points. The winning team was crowned at the stc Arena in the presence of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Robert MacIntyre up to the test and holds 4-shot lead over Scheffler in BMW Championship
OWINGS MILLS, Md.: Robert MacIntyre ducked his head under the branches and climbed into a mess of bushes behind the fifth green without a golf club, first seeing if he could find his ball and then deciding if it was worth trying to play it. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Through an opening he saw Scottie Scheffler waiting on him, a reminder of what he was up against Saturday in the BMW Championship. He took on the shot and somehow made par with two tough putts from 70 feet. It was a big moment. But to MacIntyre, all of them were big — the par saves, a few birdie chances he missed and the 40-foot birdie that ended a satisfying day. The last birdie gave MacIntyre a 2-under 68 and a four-shot lead over the No. 1 player in the world going into the final round at Caves Valley. 'It was massive,' MacIntyre said of his par save on No. 5. 'Look, every save, every shot is a prisoner for me. That shot there is no more important than that one I've hit on 18, any of the shots I've hit today. I've played beautifully all week, so it's just about continuing that going into tomorrow.' And he knows what to expect Sunday, another date in the final group with Scheffler, who had an efficient 67 to trim a shot off the five-shot deficit he faced at the start. It was obvious who the big crowd wanted, and MacIntyre heard one fan from a hospitality suite behind the 14th green and had enough. He holed an 8-foot par putt right after Scheffler made birdie, looked back at the crowd as he lightly pumped his fist and put his index finger to his lips to shush whoever got under his Scottish skin. 'I totally expected to be in this situation today when I'm in this position. It's going to be the exact same tomorrow,' MacIntyre said. 'I'll give back as good as I get. Look, I thought I played great. There was obviously a couple of shouts. But there's plenty of security.' He was at 16-under 194. Scheffler finally ended a streak of 37 holes without a bogey and felt his iron game was slightly off, but otherwise had no complaints. 'I started the day five behind. The tournament was only halfway over. So there's a lot of golf,' Scheffler said. 'Bob has got a four-shot lead going into tomorrow and it's up to me. He's playing some great golf, and it's up to me to go out there and chase him down.' Ludvig Aberg entered the mix. The Swedish star appears to be emerging from a summer slumber and shot 68 that left him alone in third. He was still six shots behind MacIntyre. No one else was closer than eight shots of the lead. Scheffler could sense the crowd in his favor, but didn't notice anything out of control. He has been through this before, paired with MacIntyre in the Scottish Open and playing before a pro-Rory McIlroy gallery at Royal Portrush when he won the British Open. 'I can think of a few things that were said to me in the final round in Ireland that were very far over the line,' he said. 'If you're a fan, it's only going to fire the guy up more, and I think just do your best to behave out there. It can be a little bit silly sometimes.' The BMW Championship decides the top 30 in the FedEx who advance to the Tour Championship for a shot at the $10 million prize. Akshay Bhatia helped his chances with an amazing day that included a hole-in-one on the 17th hole to win a car, but more important project him inside the top 30. He also holed out with a wedge on the par-4 seventh for eagle, and turned in a card that had scores of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Harry Hall of England, at No. 45 in the FedEx Cup, had a second straight 67 and was tied for fourth with Sam Burns (67). Players often talk about staying present. Hall takes that to another level. 'I've only got one job to do, and that's go recover and hydrate and get ready to hit that first show down the fairway tomorrow,' Hall said. 'My game plan won't fluctuate regardless of the situation I'm in. I think I'll try and do the right thing on every shot, and hopefully that will be enough.' Rickie Fowler, who narrowly got into the top 50 to reach Caves Valley, had a 67 to put himself in position to move into the top 30. He was projected just outside the top 30, and those projections are likely to fluctuate wildly on the last day. Fowler has an idea what he needs, but he kept it simple. 'Hopefully, just go wear out some fairways and then get the iron play back to where it's been and make some putts,' he said. 'But it sounds a lot easier than it is.' MacIntyre was clearly up for the test, though. He made five par putts from the 5- to 8-foot range, had a couple of birdie putts inside 6 feet and then ended his day with an uppercut celebration of a 40-foot birdie putt.
