The 1931 Open Championship was the 66th Open Championship, held 3–5 June at Carnoustie Golf Links in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. Tommy Armour outlasted José Jurado by a single stroke to win his only Open title, and his third and final major championship. This was the first time Carnoustie hosted the championship.

Qualifying took place on 1–2 June, Monday and Tuesday, with 18 holes at Carnoustie and 18 holes at Panmure Golf Club in nearby and the top 100 players and ties qualified. Macdonald Smith led the qualifiers on 141; the qualifying score was 160 and 109 players advanced. Prize money for the championship was increased to £500 with £100 for the champion, £75 for second place, £50 for third, £30 for fourth, £25 for fifth, £20 for sixth and seventh, £15 for eighth and ninth and £10 for the next 15 players.

Johnny Farrell, Henry Cotton, and Bill Twine led after the first round on Wednesday at even-par 72. Cotton shared the lead with Jurado after the second round at 147 (+3), with Armour a stroke behind. The top 60 and ties would make the cut; it was at 159 (+15) and 66 players advanced to the final rounds.

Cotton slipped back with a 79 in the third round on Friday morning, while Jurado shot 73 to open up a three-shot lead over Smith and Arthur Havers. Farrell and Reg Whitcombe were a stroke back in a tie for fourth and Armour, Percy Alliss, and Gene Sarazen were tied for sixth. Despite a shaky finish which saw him take eleven strokes on the last two holes, Alliss shot 73 and took the clubhouse lead at 298. Armour surpassed that total after a course-record 71, finishing at 296. Still on the course when Armour finished, Jurado needed a 75 to win the title. After making the turn in 36, he found trouble on the back-nine. Jurado arrived at the 17th needing to finish with fives on the last two holes to tie Armour, but his drive found the burn and he carded a six. Now needing a four on the last, he hit his approach to , but his putt to tie just missed, securing the championship for Armour.

Armour, age 36 and a U.S. citizen, played the Open Championship just once more; he returned to Britain to defend his title in 1932 and finished in 17th place.

Defending champion Bobby Jones won the amateur grand slam in 1930 at age 28 and retired from competition; he did not compete again at the Open.

Course

Championship Course HoleNameYardsPar HoleNameYardsPar1Cup4014 10South America40642Gulley418411Dyke35243Jockie's Burn321412Southward Ho46744Hillocks365413Whins13535Brae3634 14Spectacles47356Long ^5215 15Lucky Slap42447Plantation3764 16Barry Burn23538Short1463 17Island42849Railway417418Home4535Out3,32836In3,37336Source: Total6,70172 ^ The 6th hole was renamed Hogan's Alley in 2003

Round summaries First round Wednesday, 3 June 1931 PlacePlayerScoreTo parT1 Henry Cotton 72 E Johnny Farrell Bill Twine4 Tommy Armour 73 +1 T5 Percy Alliss 74 +2 Marcel Dallemagne Arthur Lacey Bill Large Sr. George Oke Gene Sarazen Source:

Second round Thursday, 4 June 1931 PlacePlayerScoreTo parT1 Henry Cotton 72-75=147 +3 José Jurado 76-71=1473 Tommy Armour 73-75=148 +4 4 Johnny Farrell 72-77=149 +5 T5 Joe Kirkwood Sr. 75-75=150 +6 Gene Sarazen 74-76=150 Bill Twine 72-78=150T8 Marcos Churio 76-75=151 +7 Marcel Dallemagne 74-77=151 Arthur Havers 75-76=151 Willie Hunter 76-75=151 Abe Mitchell 77-74=151 Alf Perry 77-74=151 Philip Rodgers 77-74=151 Source:

Third round Friday, 5 June 1931 (morning) PlacePlayerScoreTo par1 José Jurado 76-71-73=220 +4 T2 Arthur Havers 75-76-72=223 +7 Macdonald Smith 75-77-71=223T4 Johnny Farrell 72-77-75=224 +8 Reg Whitcombe 75-78-71=224T6 Percy Alliss 74-78-73=225 +9 Tommy Armour 73-75-77=225 Bill Davies 76-78-71=225 Willie Hunter 76-75-74=225 Gene Sarazen 74-76-75=225 Source:

Final round Friday, 5 June 1931 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScoreTo parMoney (£)1 Tommy Armour 73-75-77-71=296 +8 1002 José Jurado 76-71-73-77=297 +9 75T3 Percy Alliss 74-78-73-73=298 +10 40 Gene Sarazen 74-76-75-73=298T5 Johnny Farrell 72-77-75-75=299 +11 2210s Macdonald Smith 75-77-71-76=299T7 Marcos Churio 76-75-78-71=300 +12 1710s Bill Davies 76-78-71-75=3009 Arthur Lacey 74-80-74-73=301 +13 15T10 Henry Cotton 72-75-79-76=302 +14 10 Arthur Havers 75-76-72-79=302 Source:

Amateurs: McRuvie (+24), L. Hartley (+25), Bookless (+31), Burge (+31),Sutton (+32), R. Hartley (+33), Shankland (+34), Tulloch (+34).

References

External links Carnoustie (1931) (Official site)