{{ubiquityData.prevArticle.description}}
{{ubiquityData.nextArticle.description}}
The R&A is preparing to celebrate a momentous milestone in the history of golf when St Andrews hosts The 150th Open from 10-17 July 2022.
Our new series, The Open in Time, highlights the remarkable journey of the Championship, through an exploration of what the world looked like when various editions of The Open took place.
We begin with a look back to 1975, when Tom Watson claimed his first of five Claret Jugs and an Open star of the future was born.
In his first appearance at The Open, Watson made an immediate impact.
Having secured top-10 finishes in the year’s two previous majors, the 25-year-old American was well placed again through three rounds at Carnoustie as he moved into fourth, three shots behind the 54-hole leader, Bobby Cole.
As Cole faded on a demanding final day, Watson put together a fine 72 completed with a lengthy birdie putt at the last, which earned him a place in a Sunday play-off with Jack Newton.
The extra holes proved tightly contested, but a par on the 18th ultimately proved enough for Watson as Newton finished with a bogey.
It proved the start of a golden era as the Champion Golfer of 1975 went on to triumph again in 1977, 1980, 1982 and 1983, as well as recording runner-up finishes in 1984 and, incredibly, in 2009 at age 59.
“My love affair with the Scottish people had begun,” said Watson, whose five Open victories all came in Scotland.
To read about some of the other key developments in 1975, including Tiger Woods’ birth and the release of the first digital camera, visit https://www.theopen.com/latest/the-open-in-time-1975-tom-watson.
The R&A