Route 66…

The 2019 Senior Open Championship got off to a humorous start when likeable Welshman, Ian Woosnam, made reference to the 2001 Open Championship when he was found to be carrying 15-clubs in his bag which resulted in a 2-shot penalty. As he entered the 1st tee arena, he counted out all fourteen Clubs to his caddy.

After weather had played havoc with the third round of the Championship, Bernhard Langer trailed by three strokes entering the final round. He seemed to have a sizeable task to overturn the deficit, as the leader, Paul Broadhurst, had form around the famed Links. In 1988, the Englishman won both the Lytham Trophy before claiming the Silver Medal at the Open Championship later that year.

The 61-year-old Langer came out firing on all cylinders, carding four birdies on the front nine to make the turn at four under. The two-time Masters champion remained in control of the Championship and returned a final round 66, which was enough for Langer to become the most successful Senior Open player in history.

As the Championship drew to a close, so did Tom Watson’s illustrious career as he bowed out from Major Championship Golf.

Bernhard Langer Scores: 70, 74, 71, 70 Total 285

The Putting Master…

The 1994 Senior British Open was the fourth consecutive staging of the Championship at Royal Lytham, and it was American Tom Wargo who emerged victorious.

Wargo had already established himself as one of the leading players on the senior circuit, but Royal Lytham provided the setting for his first Senior British Open title. He moved into contention with a superb 68 in the second round before producing another 68 on Saturday to take control of the Championship.

His putting proved particularly valuable on a Links where every shot could be costly. During the third round, Wargo combined six birdies with remarkable recovery play, including a superb birdie at the seventh after finding heavy rough with his drive.

Entering the final round with a two-stroke advantage, Wargo held his nerve to return a 71 and finish on eight under par. He completed a two-stroke victory over defending champion Bob Charles and Doug Dalziel, securing his second senior major championship.

Tom Wargo Scores: 73, 68, 68, 71 Total 280

A Familiar Face…

Royal Lytham welcomed back one of its most celebrated champions for the 1993 Senior British Open, and Bob Charles once again etched his name into the Club’s history.

Thirty years after becoming The Open Champion at Royal Lytham, the New Zealander found himself in contention for another major victory on the same Links. Charles entered the final round among the leaders, alongside a strong field that included Gary Player, Tommy Horton and American amateur Joel Hirsch.

The final round produced a tense battle. Charles was briefly unsettled when his approach to the 12th became plugged in a bunker, allowing Horton to move into the lead. But the legendary left-hander’s renowned putting once again proved decisive.

With the Championship finely balanced, Charles produced the decisive moment on the 18th, holing a birdie putt to finish one stroke clear of Horton and Player. His victory made him only the second player to win both The Open and the Senior Open at Royal Lytham.

Bob Charles Scores: 73, 73, 71, 74 Total 291

A Charge to Remember…

The 1992 Senior British Open saw South Africa’s John Fourie produce a spectacular final round to claim his first Senior British Open title at Royal Lytham.

After opening the Championship with a 75, Fourie responded with a brilliant 67 in the second round and remained within striking distance heading into Sunday. His final round began steadily, but from the eighth hole he suddenly found another gear.

Fourie made four birdies in five holes, including a remarkable 30-foot putt from off the green at the 11th. He then showed tremendous composure over the closing holes, making a 12-foot birdie at the 16th before saving par with a 15-foot putt at the 17th.

A par at the 18th completed a closing 69 and a two-under-par total of 282, giving Fourie a three-stroke victory over Bob Charles and Neil Coles. The Pretoria club professional became the fourth South African in five years to lift the Championship

John Fourie Scores: 75, 67, 71, 69 Total 282

A Cautious Finish…

The 1991 Senior British Open marked the first of four consecutive Senior Open Championships held at Royal Lytham & St Annes. South African Bobby Verwey entered the final round with a one-stroke lead, with defending champion Gary Player and Englishmen Peter Butler and Tommy Horton among those closest to him.

Verwey remained composed throughout the final round, but with Bob Charles mounting a charge with a superb 67, the pressure was firmly on. At the final hole, Verwey’s drive found a fairway bunker. Rather than take a risk, he played safely out before finding the green with his third shot.

An eight-foot putt for par secured a final-round 70 and a one-stroke victory over Charles and Horton. At 50 years of age, Verwey claimed his first Senior British Open title and his first senior major championship.

Bobby Verwey Scores: 70, 74, 71, 70 Total 285