Carnoustie classics

History tells us nothing is certain until the final putt drops at Carnoustie.

The venue, set along the Angus coastline, is widely regarded as one of the toughest tests in championship golf. Its narrow fairways, punishing bunkers and formidable closing holes have challenged the world’s best players ever since it first staged The Open in 1931.

Each of the eight Champion Golfers to have claimed the Claret Jug at Carnoustie have had to be on their mettle from start to finish. First there was Tommy Armour and Henry Cotton claiming the Claret Jug in the east of Scotland.

Then came the legendary Ben Hogan who won on his only Open appearance to spark an era of remarkable drama and gripping storylines at Carnoustie.

With the venue having been announced as the setting for The 157th Open in 2029, here are six memorable Open moments witnessed at Carnoustie through the ages.

Hogan's Open legacy

Hogan’s only appearance at The Open was always going to be a special one.

The American, without question one of the finest golfers of all time, already had eight majors to his name when he arrived in Scotland for The 82nd Open in 1953.

Fresh from wins at the Masters and US Open, the Texan wouldn’t be denied another victory when he claimed the Claret Jug in some style to cap off a glorious career.

Huge galleries were mesmerised as they watched him stride to victory, carding rounds of 73, 71, 70 and 68 to finish four strokes clear of Peter Thomson, Dai Rees, Antonio Cerda and amateur Frank Stranahan.

He made such an impression that week that Carnoustie’s sixth hole was later named Hogan’s Alley in his honour.

Player's moment of brilliance

Gary Player played one of the finest shots of his career en route to claiming the Claret Jug for the second time in 1968.

The South African's defining moment came at the famous par-5 14th, Spectacles. Despite facing strong winds, he fired an extraordinary 3-wood approach to the green, finishing up around two feet from the hole.

Great Champions Jack Nicklaus and Sir Bob Charles would provide a stiff challenge and contend for the Claret Jug themselves, however Player finished the week triumphant and won by two strokes.

That week Carnoustie played at 7,252 yards, the longest of any Open course to that point.

Watson's winning debut

Carnoustie was where it all started for Tom Watson. Before becoming one of the most decorated Champions in Open history, he had to win his first.

The American crossed the Atlantic in 1975 full of promise but still without a major after twice coming close at the US Open.

He wouldn’t have to wait long for his breakthrough, though, and at The 104th Open he joined Hogan and Tony Lema as the only debut winners in the post-war era.

A sensational birdie putt on the 72nd hole forced a play-off with Australian Jack Newton, and after a tight contest between the two men, Watson would hold his nerve and claim his maiden major.

That week signalled the start of a remarkable era of dominance, with Watson lifting the Claret Jug five times in the space of nine years.

Lawrie's dramatic triumph

Nothing quite compares to the extraordinary drama of The 128th Open in 1999.

Frenchman Jean van de Velde looked destined for victory, arriving at the 18th hole on Sunday leading by three shots.

Needing nothing worse than a double-bogey to win, he found the thick rough with his second shot before chipping into the Barry Burn. From there he struggled to recover and ultimately closed with a triple-bogey.

A play-off with Justin Leonard and Paul Lawrie followed, and Lawrie was ready to grasp the opportunity with both hands. Having started the final round ten shots off the lead, the Scot carded a magnificent closing round 67 and was triumphant in the play-off with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.

Victory meant Lawrie became the first Scottish-born player to win The Open in Scotland since Armour, also at Carnoustie, in 1931.

Harrington's major breakthrough

A play-off was again required as Padraig Harrington won a thrilling contest when The Open returned to the venue eight years later.

The Barry Burn would prove a factor once more as the Irishman twice found it during his final hole, but recovered brilliantly to finish with double-bogey and remain in contention.

A missed par putt for Sergio Garcia on the final hole saw a play-off between both players confirmed, and Harrington would go on to triumph and become the first Irish winner of The Open since Fred Daly in 1947.

Harrington would retain the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale the following year, and then won the PGA Championship just a few weeks later during an outstanding run of form in the majors.

Molinari's moment of history

Francesco Molinari made history as the first Italian winner of The Open with a stunning showing in 2018.

In the Championship’s most recent visit to Carnoustie, Molinari didn’t drop a single shot all weekend, delivering one of the most consistent performances in Open history.

His flawless, bogey-free final round of 68 saw him come from three shots back, and hold off a star-studded list of contenders including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, to claim the Claret Jug.

Molinari, who was paired with Woods on Sunday, completed his wonderful week with a birdie on the 72nd hole to win by two strokes.