May 20, 1897 – At just the second-ever playing of the British Open Men’s Golf, an amateur player took the tournament. Englishman Harold Hilton won the Open title by overcoming Scotland’s James Braid by 1 stroke at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. There have been only six times in history that an amateur has won the Open.
The British Open is the oldest golf tournament in the world and one of the most respected. Originally it was founded in 1860 and was held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.
Years later in 1873, the venue started to rotate among a select group of coastal links golf courses in the United Kingdom including St. Andrews, Musselburgh, Muirfield, Royal St. Georges, and others. Winners now get to claim the trophy known as the Claret Jug.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Sports History On This Day: July 17
July 17, 1941 – All good things must come to an end. That was truly the
Sports History On This Day: July 16
July 16, 1936 – It is hard to fathom in any era of baseball, but
Sports History On This Day: July 15
July 15, 1876 – By George I think he’s got it! Almost 100 years to the
Sports History On This Day: July 14
July 14, 1914 – This is truly a great story of overcoming much in a
Spies on the Sidelines: How Much of an Impact Does Spying Have in the NFL?
While the phrase “three-letter agency” is a euphemism for American spook organizations such as
Sports History On This Day: July 13
July 13, 1930 – The first-ever football (soccer) World Cup competition begins in Uruguay. When
Sports History On This Day: July 12
July 12, 1931 – Crowd control or crowd in control? It was an odd occurrence
The Incredible Run of the 1966 to 1971 Baltimore Orioles
For nearly twenty years (1966-85), the Baltimore Orioles were a team to be reckoned