1983 Open Championship 1983 Open Championship The 1983 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 112th Open Championship, held from 14–17 July at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. It was the sixth time the course had hosted, with the first in 1954. Defending champion Tom Watson won his fifth Open Championship, one stroke ahead of runners-up Andy Bean and Hale Irwin. It was his second consecutive Open win and third in the last four, but was helped by Irwin "whiffing" a one-inch putt on the 14th hole on the third day, which cost him a chance of a
1975 Open Championship for par, Newton's putt to save par and extend the match missed left and Watson won the title. This was the second and final 18-hole playoff at the Open; the first was in 1970, won by Jack Nicklaus. The format was changed to a four-hole aggregate playoff in 1985, first used in 1989. Prior to 1964, the playoff at the Open was 36 holes. Carnoustie Golf Links – Championship Course ^ The 6th hole was renamed "Hogan's Alley" in 2003 Lengths of the course for previous Opens: "Wednesday, 9 July 1975" "Thursday, 10 July 1975" Amateurs: "Stephen (+1), Poxon (+5),