British Open History 1998 – 2008

This week the PGA Tour visits Turnberry Golf Course on the British Isles for the 2009 British Open.  It’s the third major of the year and much is expected out of both Tiger Woods, who had to skip the 2008 British Open, and Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia, the top two finishers of the 2008 British Open.

The British Open is one of the most historic tournaments in golf’s history.  It has been won by golfers from various countries and its history is downright glorious.

Let’s go back in time and revisit the last ten years of the British Open.

1998

The United States dominated in 2008 with the top three spots at the finish going to Americans Mark O’Meara, who ended up winning, Brian Watts and Tiger Woods.  Woods was the favorite, of course, but one of his mentors, O’Meara, shot a 68 final round to win the trophy.  Tiger was done in by a 77 third round.

1999

Europe took down the United States big time in 1999 when only one U.S. player cracked the top 5.  Justin Leonard finished 3rd, but ahead of him was Frenchman Jean Van de Velde and Scotsman Paul Lawrie.  It wasn’t easy for Lawrie who won the Open in a playoff against Velde and Leonard.

2000

There are some courses where the greatest golfer in the world, Tiger Woods, just can’t be beat at.  One such course is St. Andrews, the site of the 2000 British Open.  Woods dominated from beginning to end when winning the 2000 Open by 8 strokes over Ernie Els.  Tiger shot under 70 in each round which led to the dominating victory.

2001

Back in the early 2000s, Tiger Woods had to face a svelte, tough, David Duval.  In 2001, Duval showed the world that he could play with the best in the world when the won the British Open at Lythan and St. Anne’s by 3 strokes over Niclas Fasth of Sweden.  The supposed rivalry between Woods and Duval never really materialized into a Nicklaus/Watson battle as Woods continued to improve while Duval put on the pounds

2002

Ernie Else, perhaps the greatest South African golfer in history, took down Stuart Appleby, Steve Elkington, and Thomas Levet in a four player playoff to win the 2002 British Open at Muirfield.  One of the key things to remember is that Padraig Harrington, who would later dominant in 2007 and 2008, finished tied for 5th in the Open in 2002.

2003

The surprise winner of the 2003 British Open, Ben Curtis, had to beat some serious heavy hitters at Sandwich in 2003.  In his wake were Vijay Singh, who finished second, Davis Love III and Tiger Woods who finished 4th, and Kenny Perry and Nick Faldo who both finished 8th. 

2004

The Americans made it two British Open victories in a row when Todd Hamilton beat Ernie Else in a playoff to secure the victory.  The third place finisher, Phil Mickelson, showed that he could blow more than an American tournament by having a rough 4th round.  Mickelson had won the U.S. Open roughly three weeks before so the bad 4th round at Troon in 2004 can be forgiven.