The 1903 Open Championship was the 43rd Open Championship, held 10–11 June at Prestwick Golf Club in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Harry Vardon won the Championship for the fourth time, six strokes ahead of runner-up Tom Vardon, his younger brother.
All entries played 36 holes on the first day with all those within 19 strokes of the leader making the cut and playing 36 holes on the final day, with the additional provision that the final day's field had to contain at least 32 professionals.
After the opening round on Wednesday morning, Harry Vardon and defending champion Sandy Herd co-led at 73, three strokes ahead of the rest of the field. In the afternoon, Herd had a poor 83 and Harry Vardon's 77 gave him a four shot lead on 150 ahead of Andrew Scott, despite a seven at the 17th hole. The cut was at 169 and 59 advanced to the final two rounds. Rowland Jones was initially disqualified but later reinstated.
In the third round on Thursday morning, Harry Vardon scored 72, having reached the turn in 34. This gave him a seven-stroke lead over Jack White, with Herd and Tom Vardon ten shots behind. In the afternoon, White took a seven at the third hole which effectively gave Harry Vardon the title. Playing cautiously, he eventually finished with a 78. Tom Vardon had the best final round score of 74 and moved into second place ahead of White.
Round summaries First round Wednesday, 10 June 1903 (morning) PlacePlayerScoreT1 Sandy Herd 73 Harry Vardon T3 Tom Vardon 76 Tom Williamson T5 James Braid 77 Ernest Gray John Hunter Andrew Scott Jack White T10 Robert Andrew (a) 78 Willie Fernie James Hepburn James Kinnell Willie Park Jr. Source:
Second round Wednesday, 10 June 1903 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScore1 Harry Vardon 73-77=1502 Andrew Scott 77-77=154T3 Willie Hunter Sr. 81-74=155 Jack White 77-78=155T5 James Braid 77-79=156 Sandy Herd 73-83=156 John Hunter 77-79=156 Tom Williamson 76-80=1569 Tom Vardon 76-81=157T10 George Cawsey 80-78=158 Bill Leaver 79-79=158 Source:
Third round Thursday, 11 June 1903 (morning) PlacePlayerScore1 Harry Vardon 73-77-72=222 2 Jack White 77-78-74=229 T3 Tom Vardon 76-81-75=232 Sandy Herd 73-83-76=232T5 George Cawsey 80-78-76=234 Willie Hunter Sr. 81-74-79=234T7 James Braid 77-79-79=235 Willie Fernie 78-81-76=235 Bill Leaver 79-79-77=235 Tom Williamson 76-80-79=235 Source:
Final round Thursday, 11 June 1903 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScoreMoney (£)1 Harry Vardon 73-77-72-78=300 502 Tom Vardon 76-81-75-74=306 253 Jack White 77-78-74-79=308 154 Sandy Herd 73-83-76-77=309 105 James Braid 77-79-79-75=310 7 10sT6 Andrew Scott 77-77-83-77=314 3 15s Robert Thomson 83-78-77-76=3148 Bill Leaver 79-79-77-80=315 0T9 George Cawsey 80-78-76-82=316 J.H. Taylor 80-82-78-76=316 Source:
References
External links Prestwick 1903 (Official site)