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<\/p>\nThe Open Championship is a celebration of the game’s original roots. The core of the challenge intersects with land, sea and Mother Nature.<\/p>\n
The mental and physical dimensions are also tested.<\/p>\n
Only the finest of players have captured the illustrious Claret Jug and only the most accomplished have done so multiple times.<\/p>\n
The names listed are the author’s opinion but those listed are the men who comprise records of consistency and overall impact.<\/p>\n
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No list will ever satisfy all and some may wonder why other names were either not listed properly or even mentioned at all.<\/p>\n
To have the word “great” placed before your name it is critical to have demonstrated success at the game’s oldest and global of major championships.<\/p>\n
The men listed below are deserving of such honor and praise.<\/p>\n
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Tom Watson had a conversion in his thinking when first playing links golf. Initially he did not understand or appreciate it. That changed in short order.<\/p>\n
His first Open title came in 1975 in a playoff against Australian Jack Newton.<\/p>\n
Watson won The Open a total of five times \u2013 and nearly tied the record of six wins by Harry Vardon. In 2009, at the remarkable age of 59, Tom’s approach to the final hole at Turnberry took an uncharacteristic bounce off the back of the green and he could not two-putt to nail down the title – losing in an aggregate playoff to Stewart Cink.<\/p>\n
A true lover of the links and able to fashion remarkable rounds no matter the weather conditions.<\/p>\n
Most memorable Open shot: Birdie putt in final round against Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977 at the par-3 15th hole. The putt kept Watson in the hunt and he would finish off the victory with a superb 7-iron approach to the 18th for a concluding short birdie putt.<\/p>\n