June 23, 1922 – The British Open Men’s Golf tournament at the Royal St George’s Golf Club wrapped up. Walter Hagen became the first American-born winner of the Open Championship. It was not an easy victory for Hagen to say the least.
Walter’s overall 3-day score of 300 ended up 1 stroke ahead of runners-up were American Jim Barnes and England’s George Duncan who both shot 301 for the tourney according to an Associated Press story in the June 24, 1922, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Open started its history back in 1860, and since its conception, the tournament has been played in either Scotland, Ireland, or England every year.
I am sure the Brits were none too pleased that a Yank won their prestigious tourney of the links. Hagen would go on to take home the Claret-Jug three more times in his illustrious career to go along with winning the U.S. Open twice, the PGA Championship a record five times, and the Western Open a handful of tries too.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

1970s Minnesota Vikings : Would A Better QB Helped Them Win A Super Bowl?
Here’s a question I often hear, especially from Minnesota Vikings fans: Would the 1970

The 7 Most Successful Athletes From Delaware in the Last 20 Years
Delaware may stand as the second smallest state, but it has delivered some of

Jim Finks: A Builder of Winners
Jim Finks could have spent his life as the answer to this trivia question,

1975 Baltimore Colts: A Year In Review
From 1957 to 1971, the Baltimore Colts never experienced a losing season. They played

Betting on Week 10: Why Eagles vs Packers Could Define NFC Playoff Picture
As NFL Week 10 unfolds, few matchups capture the playoff stakes and storylines like

Exploring the Career of Hall of Fame Offensive Guard Larry Little
As many of you may know, I recently wrote a book about Miami Dolphins

Some of the Most Iconic Soccer Rivalries and the Stories Behind Them
Soccer is more than a game. It’s passion, pride, and pure obsession. Across the

“Dem Bums” No More: The Story of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers
From 1939 to 1954, the Brooklyn Dodgers had only one losing season and won