The four majors in golf are the most prestigious events on the calendar and whilst they don’t necessarily carry the most prize money, they are the tournaments that every player dreams of winning.
The first major of the year is the Masters Tournament which takes place in April at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. This was first played in 1934, with the winners presented with a green jacket by the previous year’s champion.
Next in the schedule currently, playing in May, is the PGA Championship or US PGA. This was inaugurated in 1916 and is organised by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. US PGA winners get to lift the huge Rodman Wanamaker Trophy which is named after the organisation’s founder.
June brings the second oldest major in the U.S. Open which was first played in 1895 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. This tournament is run by the United States Golf Association which has its headquarters in New Jersey.
Last but not least is the Open Championship which takes place in July. Established in 1860 this is the oldest of the four majors. Ten links courses from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland rotate hosting duties with the Old Course at St Andrews the most frequently used. Winners are awarded the Golf Champion Trophy, more commonly known as the Claret Jug.
Full List of Major Winners
| Year | Masters | US PGA | U.S. Open | Open Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
Aaron Rai (ENG) |
Wyndham Clark (USA) |
Ryan Fox (NZL) |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
Scottie Scheffler (USA) |
J. J. Spaun (USA) |
Scottie Scheffler (USA) |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler (USA) |
Xander Schauffele (USA) |
Bryson DeChambeau (USA) |
Xander Schauffele (USA) |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm (ESP) |
Brooks Koepka (USA) |
Wyndham Clark (USA) |
Brian Harman (USA) |
| 2022 | Scottie Scheffler (USA) |
Justin Thomas (USA) |
Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) |
Cameron Smith (AUS) |
| 2021 | Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) |
Phil Mickelson (USA) |
Jon Rahm (ESP) |
Collin Morikawa (USA) |
| 2020 | Dustin Johnson (USA) |
Collin Morikawa (USA) |
Bryson DeChambeau (USA) |
No tournament |
| 2019 | Tiger Woods (USA) |
Brooks Koepka (USA) |
Gary Woodland (USA) |
Shane Lowry (ROI) |
| 2018 | Patrick Reed (USA) |
Brooks Koepka (USA) |
Brooks Koepka (USA) |
Francesco Molinari (ITA) |
| 2017 | Sergio García (ESP) |
Justin Thomas (USA) |
Brooks Koepka (USA) |
Jordan Spieth (USA) |
| 2016 | Danny Willett (ENG) |
Jimmy Walker (USA) |
Dustin Johnson (USA) |
Henrik Stenson (SWE) |
| 2015 | Jordan Spieth (USA) |
Jason Day (AUS) |
Jordan Spieth (USA) |
Zach Johnson (USA) |
| 2014 | Bubba Watson (USA) |
Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
Martin Kaymer (GER) |
Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
| 2013 | Adam Scott (AUS) |
Jason Dufner (USA) |
Justin Rose (ENG) |
Phil Mickelson (USA) |
| 2012 | Bubba Watson (USA) |
Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
Webb Simpson (USA) |
Ernie Els (RSA) |
| 2011 | Charl Schwartzel (RSA) |
Keegan Bradley (USA) |
Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
Darren Clarke (NIR) |
| 2010 | Phil Mickelson (USA) |
Martin Kaymer (GER) |
Graeme McDowell (NIR) |
Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) |
| 2009 | Ángel Cabrera (ARG) |
Yang Yong-eun (KOR) |
Lucas Glover (USA) |
Stewart Cink (USA) |
| 2008 | Trevor Immelman (RSA) |
Pádraig Harrington (ROI) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Pádraig Harrington (ROI) |
| 2007 | Zach Johnson (USA) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Ángel Cabrera (ARG) |
Pádraig Harrington (ROI) |
| 2006 | Phil Mickelson (USA) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
| 2005 | Tiger Woods (USA) |
Phil Mickelson (USA) |
Michael Campbell (NZL) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
| 2004 | Phil Mickelson (USA) |
Vijay Singh (FJI) |
Retief Goosen (RSA) |
Todd Hamilton (USA) |
| 2003 | Mike Weir (CAN) |
Shaun Micheel (USA) |
Jim Furyk (USA) |
Ben Curtis (USA) |
| 2002 | Tiger Woods (USA) |
Rich Beem (USA) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Ernie Els (RSA) |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods (USA) |
David Toms (USA) |
Retief Goosen (RSA) |
David Duval (USA) |
| 2000 | Vijay Singh (FJI) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
| 1999 | José María Olazábal (ESP) |
Tiger Woods (USA) |
Payne Stewart (USA) |
Paul Lawrie (SCO) |
| 1998 | Mark O’Meara (USA) |
Vijay Singh (FJI) |
Lee Janzen (USA) |
Mark O’Meara (USA) |
| 1997 | Tiger Woods (USA) |
Davis Love III (USA) |
Ernie Els (RSA) |
Justin Leonard (USA) |
| 1996 | Nick Faldo (ENG) |
Mark Brooks (USA) |
Steve Jones (USA) |
Tom Lehman (USA) |
| 1995 | Ben Crenshaw (USA) |
Steve Elkington (AUS) |
Corey Pavin (USA) |
John Daly (USA) |
| 1994 | José María Olazábal (ESP) |
Nick Price (ZWE) |
Ernie Els (RSA) |
Nick Price (ZWE) |
| 1993 | Bernhard Langer (GER) |
Paul Azinger (USA) |
Lee Janzen (USA) |
Greg Norman (AUS) |
| 1992 | Fred Couples (USA) |
Nick Price (ZWE) |
Tom Kite (USA) |
Nick Faldo (ENG) |
| 1991 | Ian Woosnam (WAL) |
John Daly (USA) |
Payne Stewart (USA) |
Ian Baker-Finch (AUS) |
| 1990 | Nick Faldo (ENG) |
Wayne Grady (AUS) |
Hale Irwin (USA) |
Nick Faldo (ENG) |
| 1989 | Nick Faldo (ENG) |
Payne Stewart (USA) |
Curtis Strange (USA) |
Mark Calcavecchia (USA) |
| 1988 | Sandy Lyle (SCO) |
Jeff Sluman (USA) |
Curtis Strange (USA) |
Seve Ballesteros (ESP) |
| 1987 | Larry Mize (USA) |
Larry Nelson (USA) |
Scott Simpson (USA) |
Nick Faldo (ENG) |
| 1986 | Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Bob Tway (USA) |
Raymond Floyd (USA) |
Greg Norman (AUS) |
| 1985 | Bernhard Langer (GER) |
Hubert Green (USA) |
Andy North (USA) |
Sandy Lyle (SCO) |
| 1984 | Ben Crenshaw (USA) |
Lee Trevino (USA) |
Fuzzy Zoeller (USA) |
Seve Ballesteros (ESP) |
| 1983 | Seve Ballesteros (ESP) |
Hal Sutton (USA) |
Larry Nelson (USA) |
Tom Watson (USA) |
| 1982 | Craig Stadler (USA) |
Raymond Floyd (USA) |
Tom Watson (USA) |
Tom Watson (USA) |
| 1981 | Tom Watson (USA) |
Larry Nelson (USA) |
David Graham (AUS) |
Bill Rogers (USA) |
| 1980 | Seve Ballesteros (ESP) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Tom Watson (USA) |
| 1979 | Fuzzy Zoeller (USA) |
David Graham (AUS) |
Hale Irwin (USA) |
Seve Ballesteros (ESP) |
| 1978 | Gary Player (RSA) |
John Mahaffey (USA) |
Andy North (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
| 1977 | Tom Watson (USA) |
Lanny Wadkins (USA) |
Hubert Green (USA) |
Tom Watson (USA) |
| 1976 | Raymond Floyd (USA) |
Dave Stockton (USA) |
Jerry Pate (USA) |
Johnny Miller (USA) |
| 1975 | Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Lou Graham (USA) |
Tom Watson (USA) |
| 1974 | Gary Player (RSA) |
Lee Trevino (USA) |
Hale Irwin (USA) |
Gary Player (RSA) |
| 1973 | Tommy Aaron (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Johnny Miller (USA) |
Tom Weiskopf (USA) |
| 1972 | Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Gary Player (RSA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Lee Trevino (USA) |
| 1971 | Charles Coody (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Lee Trevino (USA) |
Lee Trevino (USA) |
| 1970 | Billy Casper (USA) |
Dave Stockton (USA) |
Tony Jacklin (ENG) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
| 1969 | George Archer (USA) |
Raymond Floyd (USA) |
Orville Moody (USA) |
Tony Jacklin (ENG) |
| 1968 | Bob Goalby (USA) |
Julius Boros (USA) |
Lee Trevino (USA) |
Gary Player (RSA) |
| 1967 | Gay Brewer (USA) |
Don January (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Roberto De Vicenzo (ARG) |
| 1966 | Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Al Geiberger (USA) |
Billy Casper (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
| 1965 | Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Dave Marr (USA) |
Gary Player (RSA) |
Peter Thomson (AUS) |
| 1964 | Arnold Palmer (USA) |
Bobby Nichols (USA) |
Ken Venturi (USA) |
Tony Lema (USA) |
| 1963 | Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Julius Boros (USA) |
Bob Charles (NZL) |
| 1962 | Arnold Palmer (USA) |
Gary Player (RSA) |
Jack Nicklaus (USA) |
Arnold Palmer (USA) |
| 1961 | Gary Player (RSA) |
Jerry Barber (USA) |
Gene Littler (USA) |
Arnold Palmer (USA) |
| 1960 | Arnold Palmer (USA) |
Jay Hebert (USA) |
Arnold Palmer (USA) |
Kel Nagle (AUS) |
| 1959 | Art Wall Jr. (USA) |
Bob Rosburg (USA) |
Billy Casper (USA) |
Gary Player (RSA) |
| 1958 | Arnold Palmer (USA) |
Dow Finsterwald (USA) |
Tommy Bolt (USA) |
Peter Thomson (AUS) |
| 1957 | Doug Ford (USA) |
Lionel Hebert (USA) |
Dick Mayer (USA) |
Bobby Locke (RSA) |
| 1956 | Jack Burke Jr. (USA) |
Jack Burke Jr. (USA) |
Cary Middlecoff (USA) |
Peter Thomson (AUS) |
| 1955 | Cary Middlecoff (USA) |
Doug Ford (USA) |
Jack Fleck (USA) |
Peter Thomson (AUS) |
| 1954 | Sam Snead (USA) |
Chick Harbert (USA) |
Ed Furgol (USA) |
Peter Thomson (AUS) |
| 1953 | Ben Hogan (USA) |
Walter Burkemo (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
| 1952 | Sam Snead (USA) |
Jim Turnesa (USA) |
Julius Boros (USA) |
Bobby Locke (RSA) |
| 1951 | Ben Hogan (USA) |
Sam Snead (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
Max Faulkner (ENG) |
| 1950 | Jimmy Demaret (USA) |
Chandler Harper (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
Bobby Locke (RSA) |
| 1949 | Sam Snead (USA) |
Sam Snead (USA) |
Cary Middlecoff (USA) |
Bobby Locke (RSA) |
| 1948 | Claude Harmon (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
Henry Cotton (ENG) |
| 1947 | Jimmy Demaret (USA) |
Jim Ferrier (AUS) |
Lew Worsham (USA) |
Fred Daly (NIR) |
| 1946 | Herman Keiser (USA) |
Ben Hogan (USA) |
Lloyd Mangrum (USA) |
Sam Snead (USA) |
| 1945 | No tournament | Byron Nelson (USA) |
No tournament | No tournament |
| 1944 | No tournament | Bob Hamilton (USA) |
No tournament | No tournament |
| 1943 | No tournament | No tournament | No tournament | No tournament |
| 1942 | Byron Nelson (USA) |
Sam Snead (USA) |
No tournament | No tournament |
| 1941 | Craig Wood (USA) |
Vic Ghezzi (USA) |
Craig Wood (USA) |
No tournament |
| 1940 | Jimmy Demaret (USA) |
Byron Nelson (USA) |
Lawson Little (USA) |
No tournament |
| 1939 | Ralph Guldahl (USA) |
Henry Picard (USA) |
Byron Nelson (USA) |
Dick Burton (ENG) |
| 1938 | Henry Picard (USA) |
Paul Runyan (USA) |
Ralph Guldahl (USA) |
Reg Whitcombe (ENG) |
| 1937 | Byron Nelson (USA) |
Denny Shute (USA) |
Ralph Guldahl (USA) |
Henry Cotton (ENG) |
| 1936 | Horton Smith (USA) |
Denny Shute (USA) |
Tony Manero (USA) |
Alf Padgham (ENG) |
| 1935 | Gene Sarazen (USA) |
Johnny Revolta (USA) |
Sam Parks Jr. (USA) |
Alf Perry (ENG) |
| 1934 | Horton Smith (USA) |
Paul Runyan (USA) |
Olin Dutra (USA) |
Henry Cotton (ENG) |
| 1933 | Gene Sarazen (USA) |
Johnny Goodman (USA) |
Denny Shute (USA) |
|
| 1932 | Olin Dutra (USA) |
Gene Sarazen (USA) |
Gene Sarazen (USA) |
|
| 1931 | Tom Creavy (USA) |
Billy Burke (USA) |
Tommy Armour (USA) |
|
| 1930 | Tommy Armour (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
|
| 1929 | Leo Diegel (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
Walter Hagen (USA) |
|
| 1928 | Leo Diegel (USA) |
Johnny Farrell (USA) |
Walter Hagen (USA) |
|
| 1927 | Walter Hagen (USA) |
Tommy Armour (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
|
| 1926 | Walter Hagen (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
|
| 1925 | Walter Hagen (USA) |
Willie Macfarlane (SCO) |
Jim Barnes (ENG) |
|
| 1924 | Walter Hagen (USA) |
Cyril Walker (ENG) |
Walter Hagen (USA) |
|
| 1923 | Gene Sarazen (USA) |
Bobby Jones (USA) |
Arthur Havers (ENG) |
|
| 1922 | Gene Sarazen (USA) |
Gene Sarazen (USA) |
Walter Hagen (USA) |
|
| 1921 | Walter Hagen (USA) |
Jim Barnes (ENG) |
Jock Hutchison (USA) |
|
| 1920 | Jock Hutchison (USA) |
Ted Ray (JEY) |
George Duncan (SCO) |
|
| 1919 | Jim Barnes (ENG) |
Walter Hagen (USA) |
No tournament | |
| 1918 | No tournament | No tournament | No tournament | |
| 1917 | No tournament | No tournament | No tournament | |
| 1916 | Jim Barnes (ENG) |
Chick Evans (USA) |
No tournament | |
| 1915 | Jerome Travers (USA) |
No tournament | ||
| 1914 | Walter Hagen (USA) |
Harry Vardon (JEY) |
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| 1913 | Francis Ouimet (USA) |
John Henry Taylor (ENG) |
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| 1912 | John McDermott (USA) |
Ted Ray (JEY) |
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| 1911 | John McDermott (USA) |
Harry Vardon (JEY) |
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| 1910 | Alex Smith (SCO) |
James Braid (SCO) |
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| 1909 | George Sargent (ENG) |
John Henry Taylor (ENG) |
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| 1908 | Fred McLeod (SCO) |
James Braid (SCO) |
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| 1907 | Alec Ross (SCO) |
Arnaud Massy (FRA) |
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| 1906 | Alex Smith (SCO) |
James Braid (SCO) |
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| 1905 | Willie Anderson (SCO) |
James Braid (SCO) |
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| 1904 | Willie Anderson (SCO) |
Jack White (SCO) |
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| 1903 | Willie Anderson (SCO) |
Harry Vardon (JEY) |
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| 1902 | Laurie Auchterlonie (SCO) |
Sandy Herd (SCO) |
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| 1901 | Willie Anderson (SCO) |
James Braid (SCO) |
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| 1900 | Harry Vardon (JEY) |
John Henry Taylor (ENG) |
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| 1899 | Willie Smith (SCO) |
Harry Vardon (JEY) |
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| 1898 | Fred Herd (SCO) |
Harry Vardon (JEY) |
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| 1897 | Joe Lloyd (ENG) |
Harold Hilton (ENG) |
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| 1896 | James Foulis (SCO) |
Harry Vardon (JEY) |
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| 1895 | Horace Rawlins (ENG) |
John Henry Taylor (ENG) |
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| 1894 | John Henry Taylor (ENG) |
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| 1893 | William Auchterlonie (SCO) |
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| 1892 | Harold Hilton (ENG) |
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| 1891 | Hugh Kirkaldy (SCO) |
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| 1890 | John Ball (ENG) |
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| 1889 | Willie Park Jr (SCO) |
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| 1888 | Jack Burns (SCO) |
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| 1887 | Willie Park Jr. (SCO) |
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| 1886 | David Brown (SCO) |
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| 1885 | Bob Martin (SCO) |
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| 1884 | Jack Simpson (SCO) |
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| 1883 | Willie Fernie (SCO) |
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| 1882 | Bob Ferguson (SCO) |
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| 1881 | Bob Ferguson (SCO) |
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| 1880 | Bob Ferguson (SCO) |
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| 1879 | Jamie Anderson (SCO) |
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| 1878 | Jamie Anderson (SCO) |
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| 1877 | Jamie Anderson (SCO) |
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| 1876 | Bob Martin (SCO) |
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| 1875 | Willie Park Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1874 | Mungo Park (SCO) |
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| 1873 | Tom Kidd (SCO) |
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| 1872 | Tom Morris Jr. (SCO) |
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| 1871 | No tournament | |||
| 1870 | Tom Morris Jr. (SCO) |
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| 1869 | Tom Morris Jr. (SCO) |
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| 1868 | Tom Morris Jr. (SCO) |
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| 1867 | Tom Morris Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1866 | Willie Park Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1865 | Andrew Strath (SCO) |
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| 1864 | Tom Morris Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1863 | Willie Park Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1862 | Tom Morris Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1861 | Tom Morris Sr. (SCO) |
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| 1860 | Willie Park Sr. (SCO) |