Over the last 150 years many greats of the sport of golf have emerged.
The top professional has gone from second-class citizen, scratching a living through exhibitions and irregular tournaments, to global superstar competing for huge prizes across the world.
Here, in chronological order, we profile a selection of the very finest golfers in the history of our great game.
Old and Young Tom Morris
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The story of the Morrises of St Andrews is one of triumph and tragedy.
Old Tom, the bearded “Grand Old Man” of golf, learned his trade from legendary caddy and ball-maker Allan Robertson, and went on to win four of the first eight Open Championships.
In 1862 he won by 13 strokes: a margin that’s never been equalled.
Young Tom was even more talented on the links than his dad. He won his first Open in 1868 aged 17 and went on to win the following three. But his full potential was never realised.
He died tragically of a pulmonary haemorrhage aged just 24, only three months after his wife and newborn son had died in childbirth.
Harry Vardon
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Born on the Channel Island of Jersey, Harry Vardon is the only man to have won The Open Championship on six occasions.
One of Vardon’s greatest contributions to golf was his invention of a revolutionary technique – “The Vardon Grip”. In this, the little finger of the right hand overlaps the index finger of the left to give greater control. It became, and still is, a staple of golf instruction.
On course, Vardon was a majestic player with an un-matched ability to manipulate the ball. He was also a hugely determined character. In 1903 he was diagnosed with tuberculosis but beat it and went on to claim two further Major titles beyond the age of 40.
James Braid
A tough lie for James Braid
James Braid was a rangy Scottish powerhouse who once held the world record for longest drive at 395 yards.
Braid was a dominant force in British competitive golf through the first decade of the 20th Century. In those 10 years he won five Open Championships. Over six feet tall he was famed for his ability to hit the ball prodigious distances and escape from seemingly impenetrable rough.
The Scot deserves his inclusion in this list of greats not just for his playing prowess but also…
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