The 1974 Open Championship was the 103rd Open Championship, held from 10 to 13 July at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England. Gary Player won his third Open Championship, four strokes ahead of runner-up Peter Oosterhuis. It was the eighth of his nine major titles and second of the year; he won the Masters in April. In the other two majors in 1974, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, Player had top ten finishes.

The use of the larger USGA specification ball (diameter ) was made compulsory. In previous Opens, players could use the smaller Royal & Ancient specification ball(). By 1990, the Royal & Ancient changed the UK Rules of Golf to the 1.68 inch ball.

Course layout

Source:Previous lengths of the course for The Open Championship (since 1950):

• 1969:

• 1963:

• 1958:

• 1952:

Round summaries

First round

Wednesday, 10 July 1974Source:

Second round

Thursday, 11 July 1974Amateurs: Lyle (+10), James (+16), Clark (+21), Burch (+22), Homer (+23), Shaw (+31).

Third round

Friday, 12 July 1974Source: Amateurs: Lyle (+23), James (+24).

Final round

Saturday, 13 July 1974Source:

• The exchange rate at the time was approximately 2.39 dollars (US) per pound sterling.

References

External links

• Royal Lytham & St Annes 1974 (Official site)

• 103rd Open Championship – Royal Lytham & St Annes (European Tour)