The 1907 Open Championship was the 47th Open Championship, held 20–21 June at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England. Arnaud Massy won his only major title, two strokes ahead of runner-up J.H. Taylor. From France, Massy was the first non-Briton to win the Open Championship.
Qualifying was introduced for the first time, replacing the 36-hole cut. It took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 18–19 June, and the 193 entries were divided into two "sections," with each playing 36 holes on one day; the leading thirty players and ties from each section qualified. On Tuesday, 34 players scoring 165 or better qualified, led by Massy on 147. In windier conditions on Wednesday, 33 players at 170 or better qualified, led by Taylor on 154. There was some feeling that those in the first section would benefit from the day's rest.
In a strong wind on Thursday morning, Massy and Walter Toogood were the co-leaders after the first round at 76, with the next closest score at 79. After the second round that afternoon, Massy led at 157, one stroke over Taylor and Tom Ball, with Tom Williamson and George Pulford a further shot behind.
The strong wind persisted into Friday. In the morning, Massy scored 78 while Taylor's 76 gave him a one shot lead. Harry Vardon's 74 was the best round of the championship and moved him into a tie for third place with Pulford and Ball, five strokes behind Taylor.
In the afternoon, Massy's 77 earned him the title at 312, two strokes ahead of Taylor, who scored 80 for 314. Taylor had some difficulties on the third hole where he sliced his drive into some long grass and took a seven, going out in 41. He came home in 39, but it wasn't enough to make up for his miscues on the front nine. Massy became the first overseas player to win the Open, while Taylor finished runner-up for the fourth successive time. Vardon's brother, Tom, made a powerful move up the leaderboard with a 75 in the final round to secure a tie for third.
Round summaries First round Thursday, 20 June 1907 (morning) PlacePlayerScoreT1 Arnaud Massy 76 Walter Toogood T3 Willie McEwan 79 J.H. Taylor T5 Tom Ball 80 James HepburnT7 George Pulford 81 Tom Vardon T9 James Braid 82 Alfred Matthews Tom Williamson Source:
Second round Thursday, 20 June 1907 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScore1 Arnaud Massy 76-81=157T2 Tom Ball 80-78=158 J.H. Taylor 79-79=158T4 George Pulford 81-78=159 Tom Williamson 82-77=1596 George Duncan 83-78=161T7 Alfred Matthews 82-80=162 Walter Toogood 76-86=162 Tom Vardon 81-81=162T10 Ted Ray 83-80=163 Thomas Renouf 83-80=163 Source:
Third round Friday, 21 June 1907 (morning) PlacePlayerScore1 J.H. Taylor 79-79-76=234 2 Arnaud Massy 76-81-78=235 T3 Tom Ball 80-78-81=239 George Pulford 81-78-80=239 Harry Vardon 84-81-74=2396 Tom Williamson 82-77-82=241T7 James Braid 82-85-75=242 George Duncan 83-78-81=242 Ted Ray 83-80-79=242 Tom Vardon 81-81-80=242 Source:
Final round Friday, 21 June 1907 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScoreMoney (£)1 Arnaud Massy 76-81-78-77=312 502 J.H. Taylor 79-79-76-80=314 25T3 George Pulford 81-78-80-78=317 1210s Tom Vardon 81-81-80-75=317T5 James Braid 82-85-75-76=318 710s Ted Ray 83-80-79-76=318T7 George Duncan 83-78-81-77=319 0 Harry Vardon 84-81-74-80=319 Tom Williamson 82-77-82-78=31910 Tom Ball 80-78-81-81=320 Source:
References
External links Royal Liverpool 1907 (Official site)