Jones Wins the Second Leg of His Grand Slam

In 1930, the American, Bobby Jones, became the second player to win the Amateur and The Open in the same year. John Ball Junior had achieved the same feat in 1890. Jones went on to win the American Amateur and Open Championships, becoming the first and only player to win “the Grand Slam” in a single year.

The Open Championship was played at Hoylake. Jones was tied for the lead with Macdonald Smith and Henry Cotton after they all shot 70 in the first round. Jones followed this with a 72 to take a one stroke lead ahead of Fred Robson and two ahead of Horton Smith. Archie Compston, Macdonald Smith and Leo Diegel were all tied for fourth place, five shots behind. A brilliant 68 by Compston vaulted the Englishman into the lead by one shot ahead of Jones, who had gone round in 74. Compston’s magic deserted him in the afternoon with a round of 82. Jones struggled round in 75, taking a 7 at the 8th hole, but was in the lead with a clubhouse total of 291.

Leo Diegel moved level with Jones after 13 holes, but dropped shots at the 14th and 16th holes ended his bid and he finished on 293. Now only Macdonald Smith could catch Jones, but he would need a 69 to tie. Smith came to the 17th hole needing to play the last two holes in six strokes. He missed his putt for a three at the penultimate hole and Jones was assured of the Championship — the first Amateur to win The Open three times.