1977 Open Championship 1977 Open Championship The 1977 Open Championship was the 106th Open Championship, held 6–9 July on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, Scotland. Tom Watson won the second of his five Open titles by one stroke over runner-up Jack Nicklaus. The two played together in the final two rounds and had separated themselves from the field under clear skies, leading this Open to be remembered as the "Duel in the Sun." This was the first Open ever held at Turnberry, which renamed its 18th hole after the duel. Three months earlier, Watson had held off Nicklaus to win his first green
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),