The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. Furthermore, with the anticipation building around the upcoming fixture at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, we’ve decided to take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the past Opens at St Andrews. Here are our top five.
1. Costantino Rocca’s putt on the 72nd hole in 1995: In one of the most unforgettable moments in the history of The Open, Italian golfer Costantino Rocca duffed his chip shot on the 72nd hole into the ‘valley of Sin.’ John Daly, his opponent at the time, thought he had the win sealed. However, Rocca had other ideas, and he sunk his 65-foot putt to force a playoff.
2.Rory McIlroy’s record-breaking round in 2010: At just 21 years old, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy equalled the lowest round in a major by shooting a nine-under par 63 at the 2010 Open. He played his final 10 holes in an astonishing eight-under par to match the course record, making him one of only eight players to shoot a 63 in The Open Championship, and the 23rd player to shoot a 63 in a major. McIlroy went on to finish T3.
3.Nick Faldo’s record-breaking win in 1990: In 1990, Nick Faldo won his second claret jug with a record-breaking 18-under par total. He produced rounds of 67, 65, 67, and 71, leading from start to finish, ending five shots clear of second place. This win also meant he became the second person, since Tom Watson in 1982, to win two majors in the same year.
4.Tiger Woods’ 2000 win: When Tiger Woods won The Open in 2000, he became the youngest player to win a career grand slam at the age of 24. He avoided all the grueling bunkers on the Old Course, shooting a championship record score of 19-under par and winning by a remarkable eight shots.
5. Seve Ballesteros’ celebration in 1984: Tom Watson and Seve Ballesteros were battling it out on the final holes for the championship in 1984. Seve needed a birdie on the 18th green to ensure that the championship was his. The Spaniard holed his putt and produced one of the most iconic celebrations in the history of golf: a triple fist pump that became his unforgettable trademark celebration.
These are just a few of the most memorable moments in the history of The Open Championship, but they are undoubtedly some of the most unforgettable. As the anticipation builds around the upcoming tournament, golf fans from around the world will be eagerly waiting to see who will make history next.
