1867 British Open Winner and Scores

The 1867 British Open was the eighth one played, and also the eighth one played over the 12-hole links at Prestwick. Old Tom Morris became the tournament's first four-time champion, plus he set a British Open record that still stands today.

Winner: Tom Morris Sr., 170

Where it was played: Prestwick Golf Club, Ayrshire, Scotland

Tournament dates: Sept. 26, 1867

Leader after first round: a-William Doleman, 55

Leader after second round: Tom Morris Sr., 112

What Happened in the 1867 Open Championship

All of the first eight Opens were won by one of just three golfers: Morris Sr. (4), Willie Park Sr. (3) and Andrew Strath (1). The three early champions would win only one more Open between them from this point forward, Park's victory at the 1875 British Open. Old Tom's previous wins were in the 1861, 1862 and 1864 Opens.

The tournament was played on Sept. 26 on the 12-hole Prestwick links, three rounds, 36 holes. Only 14 golfers entered, and only 10 finished the tournament. All 10 of those finishers were from Scotland.

An amateur, William Doleman, led after the first round with a 55, but he fell out of contention with a 66 in the second round. Still, Doleman became the first amateur to lead a British Open. (Doleman, by the way, and according to legend, might have been the first person to play golf in Canada.)

Old Tom Morris was three off the lead after the opening 12 with a 58. He improved to 54 in the second round and took a 2-stroke lead over Park and Robert Andrew. Andrew dropped well back with a final-round 65. Park and Morris matched scores of 58, giving Morris the 2-stroke victory.

What record did Morris set? He was 46 years, 99 days old, and he remains, to this day, the oldest winner of a British Open. Morris is still among the oldest winners at any major, too.

Tom Morris Jr. (a k a Young Tom) finished fourth, five strokes behind his father. He started a run of four consecutive victories the following year, at the 1868 British Open. So Old Tom's win here was followed by his son's first victory, and preceded in 1866 by his great rival Park's victory.

1867 British Open Final Scores

Tom Morris Sr.	58-54-58—170
Willie Park Sr.	58-56-58—172
Andrew Strath	61-57-56—174
Tom Morris Jr.	58-59-58—175
Bob Kirk	57-60-60—177
a-William Doleman	55-66-57—178
Robert Andrew	56-58-65—179
William Dow	62-57-65—184
a-T. Hunter	62-60-62—184
Willie Dunn Sr.	64-63-62—189

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