![]() He lived through some stunning changes.’’Īt his golf shop, Morris made or sold clubs from 1865 until his retirement in 1904. It’s unusual for a man to live to 86 at that time. “He was involved in the major changes that occurred during the evolution of the game. Andrews & The Open Championship." “You’re talking about a lifespan that ranged from starting your career as a feather golf ball maker, through the gutta percha ball, to seeing trains linked from the linksland to the seaside courses, to play in the first Opens, to winning it, to be the custodian of the links for nearly 40 years. “He was there just at the right time,’’ said Joy, who authored the book "St. Short putts were a problem, making him possibly the inventor of the yips as well. Among them were Muirfield, Royal Dornoch, Lahinch and Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.Īs for his game, Morris was known for his course management and accuracy from tee to green. He helped devise the first metal cups for firming up the hole he learned how sand, scattered over bare spots, helped grass grow he designed or laid out courses across the British Isles (the going rate was one pound per day, plus expenses). Morris was so instrumental in so many aspects of the game. Seven of those Opens were played at the Old Course, where he lived nearby. Meanwhile, Old Tom continued to play in The Open, a total of 34 times, through 1896 – at age 74. Young Tom died of what was called an aneurysm, although many reported through the years it was of “a broken heart.’’ He was just 24 when he died in 1874 soon after the death of his wife and son during childbirth. was the young star of the day, what we could call a phenom who excelled as a teenager. (known as Young Tom Morris), who would go on to win four in a row. But he won three of the next four and again in 1867 – at the age of 46, still making him the oldest winner of the tournament.Ī year later, he finished second to his son, Tom Jr. He was a surprise runner-up to Willie Park at the first Open, finishing two shots back over 36 holes – played in 12-hole rounds. It would host 12 in succession and 24 overall, the last played there in 1925. Morris took on the task of “keeper of the green’’ at the Prestwick course, a 12-hole layout that would become home to the first Open in 1860. It is where 22 original holes were built, later scaled back to what is now the regulation 18 in 1764. The “Home of Golf’’ is considered the game’s birthplace, more than 500 years ago. Open in 2000 by 15 strokes – a record that went unchallenged for 138 years.Īlthough Morris did not win any of his Opens at the Old Course – the first 12 championships were played at Prestwick, where Morris also worked as a greenskeeper – he became associated with it due to his diligence in nurturing the course over the years. Morris remains the oldest winner of The Open and held the record for widest margin of victory in any major championship, 13 shots, until Tiger Woods won the U.S. I would like to think that it was as a designer where he excelled.’’ His methods for course maintenance, such as topdressing or tin cups (debatable but Tom believed he invented it), are still in use today. “In later life, he designed or modified over 100 courses. Old Tom Morris was a golf innovator, course designer and a four-time Open winner.
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