Jul 20

July 20 in Golf History

On July 20 in golf history — 1986: Greg Norman wins his first Open Championship, plus 5 more moments from 1975–2014.

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On This Day in Golf

1975 Milestone

Tom Watson's first major arrives

Tom Watson's 1975 playoff win at Carnoustie launched a major career that would yield eight titles, including five Open Championships.

Tom Watson
1986 Championship

Greg Norman wins his first Open Championship

Greg Norman won the 1986 Open Championship at Turnberry, his first major, after a brilliant second-round 63 in the wind helped him pull clear of the field.

Greg Norman
1997 Championship

Justin Leonard wins the Open at Troon

Justin Leonard rallied from five strokes back with a closing 65 to win the 1997 Open Championship at Royal Troon, overtaking Jesper Parnevik.

Justin Leonard
2003 Championship

Ben Curtis wins the Open in his major debut

Ben Curtis, ranked 396th in the world, won the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George's in his first major appearance, one of golf's great upsets.

Ben Curtis
2008 Championship

Padraig Harrington defends his Open title

Padraig Harrington retained the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2008, beating Ian Poulter by four to become the first European to win back-to-back Opens since 1906.

Padraig Harrington
2014 Championship

Rory McIlroy wins the Open at Hoylake

Rory McIlroy won the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool wire-to-wire, finishing two clear of Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler for his third major title.

Rory McIlroy