Royal Birkdale is located just north of Liverpool, England, the home of the Beatles. It has hosted the Open Championship on nine previous occasions and the list of winners is, I dare say, quite impressive.
The Australian legend, Peter Thomson won his first Claret Jug in 1954, as well as, his fifth and last at Royal Birkdale in 1965.
Arnold Palmer gave relevance to the oldest golf tournament in the world, when he ventured across the pond to win here in 1961. Two more Americans, the Merry Mex, Lee Trevino won in 1971 and Johnny Miller was victorious in 1976.
Tom Watson outlasted Hale Irwin and Andy Bean to win his fifth Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 1983. Another smooth-putting Aussie, Ian Baker-Finch captured his only major title here in 1991.
In 2008, the Irish celebrated Padraig Harrington’s second win in the Open. The Great White Shark, Greg Norman looked like the man to beat all week, but a final round 77 left him at +9 for the week, tied with Henrik Stenson for third, six shots behind Harrington. Ian Poulter posted one of his best Sunday rounds a fine 69 at Royal Birkdale in 2008, but could not catch Paddy and finished runner-up.
The Open Championship was first held in 1860 at Prestwick. In those days, Prestwick was a 12-hole layout and three rounds (36 holes) were played on a single day to determine a champion. Willie Park Sr. out dueled Old Tom Morris to win the inaugural Open Championship Belt.
Today thousands of hopeful golfers enter qualifiers held around the world to gain entry into the Open Championship.
Royal Birkdale first opened in 1889. In addition to nine Open Championships, it has hosted six Women’s British Opens, three British Amateurs, the 1948 Curtis Cup and the 1951 Walker Cup.
Two Ryder Cups were contested at Royal Birkdale, first in 1965 and again in 1969. The 1969 Ryder Cup became famous for “the Concession.”
After Jack Nicklaus made his putt to force Tony Jacklin hole a short putt to halve the match, Nicklaus graciously conceded Jacklin’s putt to allow the Ryder Cup to end in a 16-16 tie. He thus saved the Brit from facing a rabid English press, had he been unfortunate enough to miss the putt.
Much has been written of Nicklaus’ “Concession” over the ensuing years and it has become one of the enduring symbols of sportsmanship for golfers to emulate.
As you enjoy The Open Championship from Royal Birkdale take time to appreciate a course that has stood the test of time and seen the best moments the sport of golf can bestow on its sacred ground.
