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
A Brief History of Predicting Sports Outcomes
Pick any bar during a big game and you’ll hear the same sound: confidence.
How Tragic Stadium Accidents Led to Nationwide Safety Protocols
Have you ever paused during a thrilling game to consider the unseen safeguards keeping
How New England’s History Is Influencing Patriots Super Bowl Odds in 2026
Sportsbooks don’t price New England like a typical market. They price the Patriots with
Laws, Lines, and Leaps: The Evolution of Sports Gambling Culture
It’s been a wild ride for sports gambling, from back-alley bets to billion-dollar industries,
Super Bowl LX: A History-Making Super Bowl?
Once the Super Bowl game is done and dusted, there will be plenty of
Larry Csonka and Larry Brown – They Took a Licking but Kept on Ticking
In the 1970s, John Cameron Swayze would advertise Timex wristwatches with the slogan, “They
Pete Maravich Becomes NCAA’s All-Time Scoring Leader — January 31, 1970
On January 31, 1970, college basketball witnessed a moment that would echo through the
More Than Cheers: From Face Paint to Fireworks in Sports Fan Culture
Sports are rarely just about the game. From packed stadiums echoing with chants to