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1904-Jack-White-Open-Champion-Royal-St-Georges

Jack White

Jack White was from North Berwick and a nephew of the great clubmaker Ben Sayers. For 25 years he was the professional at Sunningdale and he was one of the few players to interrupt the reign of the Great Triumvirate at The Open.
  • Was the pro at the prestigious Sunningdale Golf Club for 25 years

    Did you know?

  • 296

    Open winning score

  • He worked as a caddie from the age of ten and trained as clubmaker

    Fun fact

Jack White was from North Berwick and a nephew of the great clubmaker Ben Sayers. For 25 years he was the professional at Sunningdale and he was one of the few players to interrupt the reign of the Great Triumvirate at The Open.

From 1899, when he was runner-up to Harry Vardon, he then finished fourth, sixth, 18th, third and first. His victory came at Royal St George’s amid record scoring. He was the first to break the 300 barrier for The Open, posting a total of 296.

He was the first Champion to record four scores where each was better than the last. Only three others have achieved the same feat in the history of The Open. He opened with an 80 but followed with 75, 72 and 69.

He was the second player to break 70 in The Open, James Braid having scored a 69 in the third round. Their record only lasted until JH Taylor returned a 68 in the final round.

Both Braid and Taylor came to the last needing a 3 to tie White. However, Braid was told by the gallery that he only needed a 4 and lagged up his long first putt. Taylor knew he needed a 3 but his 30-footer just slipped by.

Once again, anyone who had dared to take the Claret Jug off a member of the Great Triumvirate had to do it with one or more of them breathing down their neck. White, like the Park family, was an exceptional putter and had an idiosyncratic style.

He crouched low over a tiny putter with his hands at the level of his knees. He was described as having an “intense earnestness combined with a lovable optimism”.

Venue
Finish
R1
R2
R3
R4
Total
Par
Royal St George's 1922
Wd
-
-
-
-
-
M/C
St Andrews 1921
57
76
82
81
81
320
-
Muirfield 1912
35
82
81
83
78
324
-
Muirfield 1906
Wd
78
82
-
-
-
M/C
St Andrews 1905
18
86
83
83
83
335
-
Royal St George's 1904
1
80
75
72
69
296
-
Prestwick 1903
3
77
78
74
79
308
-
Royal Liverpool 1902
18
82
75
82
86
325
-
Muirfield 1901
6
82
82
80
82
326
-
St Andrews 1900
4
80
81
82
80
323
-
Royal St George's 1899
2
79
79
82
75
315
-
Prestwick 1898
13
82
81
77
83
323
-
Royal Liverpool 1897
Wd
89
-
-
-
-
M/C
Muirfield 1896
Wd
85
92
88
-
-
-
St Andrews 1895
21
88
86
85
87
346
-
Royal St George's 1894
Wd
86
89
89
-
-
-
Prestwick 1893
10
81
86
80
86
333
-
Muirfield 1892
11
82
78
78
81
319
-
St Andrews 1891
NR
-
-
-
-
-
M/C

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