Category: Golf

In golf, the expressions used to describe a score under par on a single hole – ‘birdie’, ‘eagle’, ‘albatross’ and ‘condor’ – follow an ornithological theme. However, heading in the over par direction, terms such as ‘bogey’, ‘double bogey’ and so on follow no such theme and are consequently rather drab by comparison. That is, of course, until the score over par reaches eye-watering numbers, when the ‘archaeopteryx’ – a feathered dinosaur, once considered the oldest fossil bird – puts in an appearance.

In golfing parlance, an ‘archaeopteryx’ is a score of 15-over-par or, Heaven forbid, higher, on a single hole. Probably the most famous example of an archeopteryx was that recorded by Tommy Armour in the Shawnee Open at Shawnee Country Club, Oklahoma in 1927. Fresh from victory, in an 18-hole playoff, in the US Open the previous week, ‘The Silver Scot’ teed it up of the par-5 17^th hole and proceeded to bludgeon his way into the record books. He reached double-figures, not only for strokes played, but also for the number of balls he struck out of bounds, and eventually signed for an 18-over-par 23; he still holds the record for the highest score on a single hole in the history of the PGA Tour.

 

Nowadays, as far as the Masters Tournament is concerned, Gary Player is best known as an honorary co-starter, alongside record six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus. However, it should not be forgotten that Player was one of the best professional golfers in the world in his heyday. All told, the ‘Black Knight’, as Player is known, won nine major championships, placing him fourth on the all-time list behind Jack Nicklaus,Tiger Woods and Walter Hagen. In 1965, at the age of 29, he won the US Open for the obe and only time but, in so doing, became just the third man in the history of golf, after Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, to achieve a Career Grand Slam.

However, back to the Masters Tournament, where Player first competed, at the age of 21, in 1957. He shot 75, 76 in the opening two rounds and missed the cut. He missed the cut again in 1958, but thereafter embarked on a run of 23 straight cuts – notwithstanding missing the 1973 Masters Tournament due to illness – and donned the ‘Green Jacket’ three times, in 1961, 1974 and 1978. Player last competed in the Masters Tournament in 2009 when, at the age of 73, he shot 78, 83 for a 17-over-par total of 161 for the first 36 holes. Nevertheless, he said afterwards, ‘This has been an honor for me.’ Player made a record 52 appearances at the Masters Tournament, played 164 official rounds at Augusta National Golf Club, made the cut 30 times and finished in the top ten 15 times.

On April 13, 1986, Jack Nicklaus, aged 46 and seemingly past his prime, recorded five birdies and an eagle on the back nine of the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club to win an improbable eighteenth major championship of his career. On April 14, 2019, Tiger Woods, aged 43 and similarly written off by many, resumed his pursuit of Nicklaus’ elusive total, after an 11-year hiatus, when winning his fifth Masters title – just one behind Nicklaus’ total of six – and his fifteenth major championship in all.

To answer the headline question, though, after Nicklaus and Woods, the male golfer to win the most major championships was another American professional,Walter Hagen, who, alongside amateur Bobby Jones, dominated golf in the early part of the twentieth century. Unlike Nicklaus and Woods, Hagen never won the Masters Tournament, so did not complete a career ‘Gland Slam’, but nevertheless won eleven major championships between 1914 and 1929.

Born in Rochester, New York on December 21, 1892, ‘The Haig’ was only 21 when he won his first ‘major’, the US Open, in 1914. He won the US Open again, in 1919, the US PGA Championship – which was, until 1958, a matchplay, rather than strokeplay, event – five times, in 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927, and the Open Championship four times, in 1922, 1924, 1928 and 1929. Shortly after his death, on October 5, 1969, Hagen was hailed as ‘the father of the modern professional golf’.

 

The Open Championship is also known as the British Open or simply, The Open

In the sport of golf, there are few major tournaments that are as highly anticipated by both fans and players. The four main ones are the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. The latter of these is the oldest competition in golf, first founded in 1860. The Open, as it is also known, is the last tournament of the year, held annually in mid-July. As its name suggests, the tournament is ‘Open’ to all, which means that both amateur and professional golfers are welcomed by qualification. With the tournament just a few months away, aficionados are now busy analyzing expert golf predictions on top contenders, and gearing up for an exciting weekend of golf action. In anticipation of this hugely important golf spectacle, let’s take a look at everything there is to know surrounding the event, from its history to top players, where to watch and more.

Historical Relevance

The Open Championship is 160 years in the making, having had its debut at Prestwick Golf Club in the mid-1800s. Over the years, a total of 87 champion golfers have been crowned from 15 different nationalities. This extremely international tournament now takes place at a rotation of different UK venues, and this year will be held at Royal St George’s Golf Club in England. It awards a hefty prize pool of $11,500,000 million to the top golfer and other benefits such as The Golf Champion Trophy and guaranteed entry to future Opens. There have been a handful of special moments from this tournament since its inauguration, but some of the best have to be when Jack Nicklaus beat out Doug Sanders in 1970, and when Tiger Woods’ claimed victory with 8 strokes in 2000. However, the reign of Arnold Palmer in the 1960s was unforgettable, especially as this was the first time many fans were able to watch the tournament on live television. In its early days only 8 players competed, but now each year hosts dozens of talented athletes on the green. If you are looking for the most historic event in golf, there is none more prestigious than The Open.

Dates, Top Contenders and Where to Watch

This year, The Open will tee off on Thursday, July 14 and wrap up on Sunday, July 17. The structure follows golfers competing over 72 holes, with each competitor playing 18 holes each day. As it is a high-profile event, tickets are equally high in demand. Prospective attendees must apply for tickets and wait for them to be distributed through a digital ticketing app. After all, The Open is to golfers what the World Cup is to footballers, a once in a lifetime spectacle. If you are interested in attending the 150^th edition, make a plan to get tickets today. Since it can be a bit of a complicated process, have a look at this helpful FAQ guide that’s been put together by the official Open website.

 

The reigning champ of The Open Championship, Collin Morikawa, is a top golfer on the scene nowadays

Many skilled golfers have taken home The Open title over the years, from Tom Watson to Bobby Locke, to the sport’s more modern playmakers Jordan Speith and Zach Johnson. The tournament is one that every golfer dreams of winning. This year, everyone has eyes on Jon Rahm, Rory Mcllroy and, of course, the reigning king Collin Morikawa. Fans can watch for themselves to see who will take home the title, as The Open will be aired on the Golf Channel in the morning and then switch to NBC for the rest of the day’s coverage. If you can’t make it in person to the event, why not organize your own watch party with your fellow golf fans? Make it a big event and go all out with golf-themed snacks and decorations. Here are some fun ideas to get your creativity flowing.