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A List Of The 10 Most Memorable Open Championships

By Carlos Chacon

Collin Morikawa reigned supreme at The Open Championship 2021, edging Jordan Spieth to win his Claret Jug. The English links course is a unique and testing location for any professional golfer, which makes it a great addition to the calendar. With all that, let’s take a look at the top 10 most unforgettable moments to come out of the event. Be sure to check out the latest Golf odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

10 Most Memorable Open Championships

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Paul Lawrie (1999, Carnoustie)

Jean Van de Velde’s underwhelming performance was the highlight of this Open, but Paul Lawrie’s final round of 67 makes it all the more memorable. The Scot glover was 10 shots behind after three rounds and was not even close to making it to the top-10. However, he pulled himself together and completed a four-under-par 67 in the demanding course at Carnoustie. This was enough to set a clubhouse total that forced him to a playoff. This time around, he seized the opportunity and brought home the win.

Nick Faldo (1987, Muirfield)

Nick Faldo only needed a par to win his first major championship, but what brings the moment to the top 10 is the fact that he became the first Englishman to win the Open since Tony Jacklin in 1969. He finished in style and shot par on every hole in the final round. Even though this seems mediocre by today’s standards, Faldo stayed consistent and determined to overcome the stiff winds. By standing still for 18 holes on Sunday, he overtook Paul Azinger who led by one stroke before the final round. But Azinger bogeyed the last two holes to Faldo’s favor and gave him the first of his three Open Championship titles.

Jack Nicklaus (1970, Old Course at St. Andrews)

History tells us that only the greats manage to win at St. Andrews. But, Jack Nicklaus had other plans. Interestingly, Doug Sanders was a par away on the 18th hole to win the Open, but he ended up missing a three-foot putt after being distracted. Despite this blowout, he fought hard in the 18-hole playoff. It was a tight contest through the 18th hole, but Nicklaus was the better player on the day when he hit a drive that traveled over the green for roughly 360 yards in total. From there, he chipped close and made his birdie putt to beat Sanders by one.

Nick Price (1994, Turnberry)

Jesper Parnevik paved his way ahead of his competitors when he hit a birdie on the 16th and 17th holes, giving him more breathing room and two clear of Price at Turnberry. It looked as though he was on his way to a win, but the Zimbabwean narrowly missed out on glory in the Open. It was Price who stepped up to the occasion. After hitting a birdie on the 16th, he holed a long putt across the 17th green for an eagle. Parnevik was fired up and bogeyed the last while Price parred for a one-stroke victory and advantage. He ended his 1994 Open Championship run with a brilliant 66.

Padraig Harrington (2007, Carnoustie)

Sergio Garcia was one of the favorites to win a major title this year. Leading the strokes by six on Sunday, he had only to play within himself to secure the win. But he overlooked a speeding Padraig Harrington who made his way back into contention as the days went by. When Harrington double-bogeyed on 18, Garcia was left with a relatively basic seven-foot putt to win. Instead, he two-putted, which sent the Open Championship into a playoff. Harrington was fired up and went on to overcome Garcia in the four-hole playoff to win the Open and deny Garcia a major. And as a bonus, he became the first Irishman in 60 years to lift the Claret Jug.

Nick Faldo (1992, Muirfield)

Faldo was on the top of his game in 1992 and was gunning for his fifth major in six years. He was coming off a win in the Irish Open before taking on the British Open and looked on pace to win. True enough, he set a 36-hole record and surpassed his 54-hole record, and came into the final with a 4-shot advantage. It looked like a surefire win for the English golfer, only to fall into a miserable stretch from 11 to 14 that saw him give up three shots. This allowed American John Cook to catch up and take the lead on 16. At this moment, it was all about consistency and resilience for Faldo. He pulled himself out of the rut and scored a birdie in two of the last four holes along with a one-shot win to pull off one of the greatest comebacks in the Open Championship.

Ben Hogan (1953, Carnoustie)

This was a memorable win for Ben Hogan as it makes up for one of his five wins to complete the “Hogan Slam”. It stands among the greatest single seasons in the history of professional golf after the American golfer won five of six tournaments he entered during the year, including three majors. He was unable to take part in the PGA Championship because it overlapped with the Open Championship. Nevertheless, he would have won that tournament if it wasn’t for the conflicts. This record stood until TIgerWoods won the final three majors of 2000.

Shane Lowry (2019, Royal Portrush)

The British Open is closely tied to golf history, and the importance of holding the first Open in Northern Ireland in over 68 years was monumental. The country suffered decades of religious and political conflict, and the fact that the R&A returned to Royal Portrush was a sign of improvement for both the country and the sport. To accomplish a safe event, one that is welcomed by the locals is already a success. However, for an Irish golfer to win the event is something else. The 2019 event did not disappoint and made its way into the history books.

Henrik Stenson (2016, Royal Troon)

Stenson was the first man from Sweden to secure a major championship following an unstoppable round at the Royal Troon in 2016. Although he had to overcome a slow start, Stenson shot a 63 to match the lowest round shot in a major. After a much-needed bogie on the opening hole, he slowly squeezed his way past Phil Mickelson and produced one of the most exhilarating final day duels. By the end of the event, he etched his name in the tournament’s history and documented his first Open Championship win.

Tiger Woods (2006, Royal Liverpool)

Although Tiger Woods has had more memorable wins at the Open, his victory in 2006 is the most sentimental. He achieved another Open Championship victory just two months after his father had passed away. Tiger Woods demolished the course at Hoylake with unmatched precision. He armed his driver only once while making his way around the pot bunkers. After sinking the final putt, the usually quiet champion broke down in tears. It was an unreal moment for him and the fans, and of course, for it to happen at the British Open makes it all the more remarkable.

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