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: May 23
May 23, 1922 – Boxer Gene Tunney suffered his only professional defeat in a 15-round

When George Halas Went To War; What Happened to the Chicago Bears?
George Halas, the founder and also coach of the Chicago Bears for many decades,

The Celtic’s Final Stand: Story of the 1969 NBA Finals
The decade of the 1960s in the NBA belonged to the Boston Celtics. In

Sports History On This Day: May 22
May 22, 1884 – Pitcher Hugh Daily struck out 13 hitters. That may not sound

Sports History On This Day: May 21
May 21, 1930 – This story is pretty incredible! New Yankees legend Babe Ruth hit three Home

Sports History On This Day: May 20
May 20, 1897 – At just the second-ever playing of the British Open Men’s Golf, an

Sports History On This Day: May 19
May 19, 1973 – Riding perhaps the most famous racehorse of all time, Secretariat, jockey Ron

Sports History On This Day: May 18
May 18, 1912 – The Detroit Tigers organization was livid with the American League Baseball