Jul 19

July 19 in Golf History

On July 19 in golf history — 1896: Harry Vardon wins his first Open Championship, plus 5 more moments from 1896–2009.

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On This Day in Golf

1896 Championship

Harry Vardon wins his first Open Championship

Harry Vardon won the first of his record six Open Championships in 1896 at Muirfield, beating J.H. Taylor in a 36-hole playoff.

Harry Vardon
1981 Milestone

Bill Rogers's Sandwich victory

Bill Rogers's commanding 1981 Open win at Royal St George's came during his best season, when he was named PGA Tour Player of the Year.

Bill Rogers
1987 Milestone

Nick Faldo's relentless Muirfield finish

Nick Faldo's 18 straight pars in the final round of the 1987 Open at Muirfield delivered his first major and defined his methodical brilliance.

Nick Faldo
1992 Championship

Nick Faldo wins third Open Championship

Nick Faldo won the 1992 Open Championship at Muirfield, recovering from a late wobble to beat John Cook by one for his fifth career major.

Nick Faldo
1998 Championship

Mark O'Meara wins the Open at Royal Birkdale

Mark O'Meara won the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in a playoff over Brian Watts, adding the Claret Jug to the Masters he won that spring.

Mark Omeara
2009 Championship

Stewart Cink beats Tom Watson in Open playoff

Stewart Cink defeated 59-year-old Tom Watson in a four-hole playoff at Turnberry to win the 2009 Open Championship, denying Watson a fairy-tale sixth Claret Jug.

Stewart Cink