The 1949 Open Championship was the 78th Open Championship, held 6–9 July at Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England. Bobby Locke of South Africa won the first of his four Open titles in a 36-hole playoff, twelve strokes ahead of runner-up Harry Bradshaw of Ireland. It was the first playoff at the Open since 1933.
This edition was originally scheduled for Royal Cinque Ports, but it was flooded in early 1949 and the venue was switched to Royal St George's. Royal Cinque Ports was retained as a venue for one of the qualifying rounds.
Qualifying took place on 4–5 July, Monday and Tuesday, with 18 holes at Royal St. George's and 18 holes at Royal Cinque Ports. The number of qualifiers was limited to a maximum of 100, and ties for 100th place did not qualify. Bradshaw led the qualifiers scoring 139 with Locke next at 140; the qualifying score was 154 and 96 players advanced. The total prize money was increased fifty per cent, from £1,000 to £1,500. The winner received £300 with £200 for second, £100 for third, £75 for fourth, £50 for fifth and then £20 each for the next 35 players. The £1,500 was completed with a £15 prize for winning the qualification event and four £15 prizes for the lowest score in each round. For the first time a silver medal was awarded to the first amateur.
In the opening round on Wednesday, Jimmy Adams led with 67. Locke entered as the favorite, but was in a tie for fourth place, despite taking seven at the 14th, cutting his tee shot out of bounds. After the second round on Thursday, Sam King had the lead on 140, Adams dropping back after a 77. At the 5th hole, Bradshaw's ball finished in a broken beer bottle; he decided to play it, getting the ball clear but dropping a shot on the hole. The maximum number of players making the cut after 36 holes was again set at forty, and ties for 40th place did not make the cut. With eleven players tied for 32nd place at 148, the cut was 147 (+3) and a record low 31 players advanced to the final two rounds.
After the morning round on Friday, there were three players tied for the lead on 213: Bradshaw, Locke, and Max Faulkner. Charlie Ward and King were just a stroke behind. Bradshaw was in one of the early groups and had a final round of 70 to take the lead on 283. Playing forty minutes later, Locke reached the turn in 32 but took five at the 10th, 14th, and 15th, and then three-putted the short 16th. However he then sank a birdie putt at 17 then from for par at the last to tie Bradshaw. None of the later players in contention could get close to Bradshaw and Locke. De Vicenzo had a good last round of 69 to take third place. His chances were spoilt by an inward half of 40 in the morning which had left his three strokes behind.
In the playoff on Saturday, both players started well but Locke had a three-shot lead after thirteen holes. At the 520-yard 14th hole, Locke put his second shot stone dead for a three while Bradshaw found a bunker and eventually took six. Locke's lead was thus extended to six and then to seven at the end of the morning round. The lead quickly extended to 10 after two holes of the afternoon round as Bradshaw started 6-5. Bradshaw gained a shot at the 9th and 11th, but Locke went on to win the playoff by twelve strokes.
Round summaries First round Wednesday, 6 July 1948 PlacePlayerScoreTo par1 Jimmy Adams 67 −5 T2 Harry Bradshaw 68 −4 Roberto De Vicenzo T6 Ken Adwick 69 −3 Ken Bousfield John Fallon Bobby Locke Bill Shankland Ernie Southerden Norman Sutton Source:
Second round Thursday, 7 July 1949 PlacePlayerScoreTo par1 Sam King 71-69=140 −4 T2 Max Faulkner 71-71=142 −2 Bill Shankland 69-73=142T4 Dick Burton 73-70=143 −1 Roberto De Vicenzo 68-75=143 T6 Jimmy Adams 67-77=144 E Johnny Bulla 71-73=144 John Fallon 69-75=144 Arthur Lees 74-70=144 Frank Stranahan (a) 71-73=144 Charlie Ward 73-71=144 Source:
Third round Friday, 8 July 1949 (morning) PlacePlayerScoreTo parT1 Harry Bradshaw 68-77-68=213 −3 Max Faulkner 71-71-71=213 Bobby Locke 69-76-68=213T4 Sam King 71-69-74=214 −2 Charlie Ward 73-71-70=2146 Walter Lees 74-72-69=215 −1 T7 Jimmy Adams 67-77-72=216 E Roberto De Vicenzo 68-75-73=216 John Fallon 69-75-72=216 Arthur Lees 74-70-72=216 Source:
Final round Friday, 8 July 1949 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScoreTo parMoney (£)T1 Harry Bradshaw 68-77-68-70=283 −5 Playoff Bobby Locke 69-76-68-70=2833 Roberto De Vicenzo 68-75-73-69=285 −3 100T4 Sam King 71-69-74-72=286 −2 62 ½ Charlie Ward 73-71-70-72=286T6 Max Faulkner 71-71-71-74=287 −1 20 Arthur Lees 74-70-72-71=287T8 Jimmy Adams 67-77-72-72=288 E John Fallon 69-75-72-72=288 Wally Smithers 72-75-70-71=288 Source: Amateurs: Stranahan (+2), Francis (+19)
Playoff Saturday, 9 July 1949 PlacePlayerScoreTo parMoney (£)1 Bobby Locke 67-68=135 −9 3002 Harry Bradshaw 74-73=147 +3 200
Scorecards Morning round Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out101112131415161718BackTotal Locke443443434334444343443467 Bradshaw443453534354454643543974
Afternoon round
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out101112131415161718BackTotal Locke443443434334444453343568 Bradshaw653453433364345553443773
References
External links Royal St George's 1949 (Official site) 1949 Open Championship (GolfCompendium.com)