On December 24 in golf history — 1861: Amateur legend John Ball is born, plus 4 more moments from 1861–2022.
England's John Ball, born this day in 1861, won a record eight Amateur Championships and the 1890 Open. He was the first amateur and first non-Scot to win the Open, matched only by Bobby Jones in winning both in one year.
John BallScottish-born H.J. Whigham, born this day in 1869, won the U.S. Amateur in consecutive years, 1896 and 1897, becoming one of the dominant amateur golfers of the era.
American golfer and tennis player Frederick Semple, born this day in 1872 in St. Louis, was part of the U.S. team that won silver in the team golf event at the 1904 Summer Olympics.
Australian golfer Bob Shaw, born this day in 1944 in Sydney, won the 1972 Tallahassee Open on the PGA Tour and added several PGA Tour of Australia titles in the early 1980s.
LPGA legend Kathy Whitworth died this day in 2022. Her 88 LPGA Tour titles are the most professional wins of any golfer, male or female, and she also won six majors.