2007 Open Championship - History of The Open Championship at Carnoustie

History of The Open Championship At Carnoustie

Carnoustie hosted its first Open Championship in 1931 and the 2007 Open was the seventh to be held at Carnoustie, and third consecutive to end in a playoff. Carnoustie's prestige in the golf community is irrefutable as the list of champions includes Tommy Armour (1931), Henry Cotton (1937), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1968), Tom Watson (1975) and Paul Lawrie (1999). The 1999 championship was nicknamed "Carnastie" due to how difficult the course and conditions were. Frenchman Jean van de Velde went into the 18th hole needing only a double-bogey to win the championship. He triple-bogeyed the hole and went to a playoff with Lawrie and Justin Leonard of the United States. Lawrie won the Open after a four hole playoff. Watson's win in 1975, his first of five Open Championships (and eight majors), came after a full-round playoff with Jack Newton of Australia.

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