If the rich history of the Open Championship tells us one thing, it is never to rule anyone out of contention until it is literally impossible for him to prevail.
Over the years, a host of players have made stirring comebacks to claim the Claret Jug, a prime example coming as recently as July when Cameron Smith came from four strokes behind on the final day to win the 150th Open with a closing 64 that featured six back-nine birdies.
Smith’s Sunday charge was hugely impressive, but the three biggest comebacks in Open history have been from far greater deficits.
The most unlikely triumph surely came back in 1920 at Royal Cinque Ports.
George Duncan was a whopping 13 strokes behind leader Abe Mitchell after 36 holes, but the fortunes of the former were transformed after he purchased a new driver from the Exhibition Tent at the course.
A superb 71 the following morning lifted Duncan up to fourth, a position which he incredibly shared with Mitchell after the previous runaway leader slumped to a painful 84.
Having stormed into contention, Duncan then held his nerve with a final-round 72, which proved enough to win by two shots from Sandy Herd as Mitchell finished fourth.
More than 100 years on from his dramatic success, Duncan remains the last man to win a major championship with a round in the 80s, and he also holds the record for the largest deficit overturned in the Open.
The biggest comebacks at the Open after 18 and 54 holes belong to Harry Vardon and Paul Lawrie. To read about their extraordinary successes in 1896 and 1999 click HERE.
The R&A