1868 Open Championship Explained

1868 Open Championship
Dates:23 September 1868
Location:Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland
Course:Prestwick Golf Club
Field:12 players
Purse:£12
Winners Share:£6
Champion: Tom Morris, Jr.
Score:154
Previous:1867
Next:1869

The 1868 Open Championship was the ninth Open Championship and was held on 23 September at Prestwick Golf Club. Tom Morris, Jr. won the championship for the first time, by three shots from his father Tom Morris, Sr. Tom Morris, Jr. was just 17 years old and remains the youngest Open Championship winner.

Tom Morris, Jr. lead after the first round with a score of 51. Robert Andrew was in second place on 53 with John Allan and Tom Morris, Sr. tied for third on 54. Tom Morris, Sr. and Willie Park, Sr. both scored 50 in their second rounds. This gave Tom Morris, Sr. a one stroke lead over his son. Tom Morris, Jr. then scored 49 in his final round for a total of 154. His father finished second, three shots behind with Robert Andrew third, a further two strokes behind. 154 was a new record for the Open Championship, the old record having been 162, set by Andrew Strath in 1865.[1]

Final leaderboard

Source:[2]

Wednesday, 23 September 1868

PlacePlayerScoreMoney
1 Tom Morris, Jr. 51-54-49=154 £6
2 54-50-53=157 £4
3 53-54-52=159 £2
4 58-50-54=162
5 57-54-54=165
6 59-54-54=167
7 56-59-56=171
T8 54-55-63=172
60-54-58=172
10 61-58-60=179

Other sources give Tom Morris, Sr. a total of 155 and Willie Dow a score of 180.[3] [4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tommy Morris Wins His First Open . 2014-05-28 . https://archive.today/20130630022027/http://www.theopen.com/en/History/PreviousOpens/Prestwick/1868.aspx?eventid=1868000&view=year . 30 June 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  2. Book: Brenner, Morgan G. . The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008 . 1 . 2009 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  3. News: Ayr - Prestwick Golf Club . Glasgow Herald . 28 September 1868 . 21 December 2014 . . subscription .
  4. News: Prestwick Golf Club . Fife Herald . 1 October 1868 . 21 December 2014 . . subscription .