A history of Open Championship golf in Ayrshire
1851 - Formation of
Prestwick Golf Club. First Keeper of the Green, Ball and Club Maker was Tom Morris Senior,
who was to become Open Champion on four occasions.
1860 - First
Open Championship contested over 36 holes at Prestwick Golf Club and won by Willie Park
1864 - First Open Champion to win a cash prize is Tom Morris Senior who takes home £6
1872 - First time the Claret Jug is played for at Prestwick
1878 - Formation of Troon Golf Club
1923 - Open is played at Troon for the first time and won by Arthur Havers
1925 - Open played at Prestwick for the last time and won by Jim Barnes
1950 - Bobby Lock wins the Open at Troon
1962 - Arnold Palmer defends his Open title at Troon
1973 - Tom Weiskopf wins his only major title at Troon
1977 - Tom Watson wins a famous duel on the
Ailsa course at Turnberry,
beating Jack Nicklaus by one shot for the Open title
1978 - Troon Golf Club receives Royal accolade on its centenary
1982 - Tom Watson wins his fourth Open Championship at Royal Troon
1986 - Greg Norman wins his first major title at Turnberry
1989 - Mark Calcavecchia wins a three way playoff at Royal Troon
1994 - Nick Price wins at Turnberry
1997 - Justin Leonard wins his first Open at Royal Troon
2004 - Todd Hamilton wins his first major at Royal Troon in a play off against Ernie Els