1937 Open Championship
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 7–9 July 1937 |
| Location | Carnoustie, Scotland |
| Course(s) | Carnoustie Golf Links |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 71 |
| Field | 141 players, 47 after cut[1] |
| Cut | 153 |
| Prize fund | £500 |
| Winner's share | £100 |
| Champion | |
 Henry Cotton |
|
| 290 (+6) | |
|
«1936
1938»
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The 1937 Open Championship was the 72nd Open Championship, held 7–9 July at Carnoustie Golf Links in Carnoustie, Scotland. Henry Cotton won the second of his three Open titles by two strokes. The Ryder Cup was held just prior to the Open Championship and all the members of the victorious American team played in the tournament, creating a star-studded field.
Qualifying took place on 5–6 July. Entries played 18 holes on the Medal Course (the championship course) and 18 holes on the Burnside Course. The number of qualifiers was increased to the top 140 and ties, having previously been the top 100 and ties. The qualifying score was 157 and 141 players qualified. Horton Smith led the qualifiers on 138. All the American Ryder Cup players qualified comfortably.[2]
American Ed Dudley took the first round lead with a 70. Only the leading 40 players and ties after 36 holes made the cut to play on the final day. Previously the top 60 and ties made the cut.[3] Reg Whitcombe led after the first two rounds on 142 and all those scoring 153 or better made the cut.[4] Reg's brother Charles and Dudley were two behind on 144. At this point, Henry Cotton was in a tie for 4th place, four shots back.
The final two rounds were played in a steady, cold rain. Whitcombe maintained his lead with a third-round score of 74, two shots ahead of his brother, while Cotton moved up to three behind. The weather proved to be Whitcombe's downfall in the final round. On the 7th tee, his club slipped out of his hands as he was swinging and the ball traveled only 40 yards. He ended up taking a six and finished with a 76 and 292 total. Cotton did not seem affected by the conditions and arrived at the 18th needing only a six to lead. His approach shot found a greenside bunker, but he was able to get down in five to post a 290 total. Only Charles Whitcombe could catch Cotton, but he could manage no better than a 76 and finished four strokes behind.
The American contingent that played the tournament included Byron Nelson and Sam Snead, both of whom were making their Open Championship debuts. Nelson played the Open just once more, not returning until 1955. Snead played four more Opens, winning the championship in 1946. The American Ryder Cup non-playing captain, four-time Open champion Walter Hagen, finished in 26th place in his final Open appearance at age 44.
Final leaderboard
Friday, 9 July 1937
| Place | Player | Country | Score | To par | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry Cotton | England |
74-72-73-71=290 | +6 | £100 |
| 2 | Reg Whitcombe | England |
72-70-74-76=292 | +8 | £75 |
| 3 | Charles Lacey |  United States |
76-75-70-72=293 | +9 | £50 |
| 4 | Charles Whitcombe | England |
73-71-74-76=294 | +10 | £30 |
| 5 | Byron Nelson | United States |
75-76-71-74=296 | +12 | £25 |
| 6 | Ed Dudley | United States |
70-74-78-75=297 | +13 | £20 |
| T7 | Arthur Lacey | England |
75-73-75-75=298 | +14 | £16 13s 4d |
| Bill Laidlaw |  Scotland |
77-72-73-76=298 | |||
| Alf Padgham | England |
72-74-76-76=298 | |||
| 10 | Horton Smith | United States |
77-71-79-72=299 | +15 | £10 |
References
External links
| Preceded by | Major Championships | Succeeded by 1938 Masters Tournament |
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