1907 Open Championship


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.

Past champions in the field

Source:
Failed to qualify: Jack White, William Auchterlonie.
Did not enter: Harold Hilton.

Round summaries

First round

Thursday, 20 June 1907
PlacePlayerCountryScore
T1Arnaud Massy76
T1Walter Toogood76
T3Willie McEwan79
T3J.H. Taylor79
T5Tom Ball80
T5James Hepburn80
T7George Pulford81
T7Tom Vardon81
T9James Braid82
T9Alfred Matthews82
T9Tom Williamson82

Source:

Second round

Thursday, 20 June 1907
PlacePlayerCountryScore
1Arnaud Massy76-81=157
T2Tom Ball80-78=158
T2J.H. Taylor79-79=158
T4George Pulford81-78=159
T4Tom Williamson82-77=159
6George Duncan83-78=161
T7Alfred Matthews82-80=162
T7Walter Toogood76-86=162
T7Tom Vardon81-81=162
T10Ted Ray83-80=163
T10Thomas Renouf83-80=163

Source:

Third round

Friday, 21 June 1907
PlacePlayerCountryScore
1J.H. Taylor79-79-76=234
2Arnaud Massy76-81-78=235
T3Tom Ball80-78-81=239
T3George Pulford81-78-80=239
T3Harry Vardon84-81-74=239
6Tom Williamson82-77-82=241
T7James Braid82-85-75=242
T7George Duncan83-78-81=242
T7Ted Ray83-80-79=242
T7Tom Vardon81-81-80=242

Source:

Final round

Friday, 21 June 1907
PlacePlayerCountryScoreMoney
1Arnaud Massy76-81-78-77=31250
2J.H. Taylor79-79-76-80=31425
T3George Pulford81-78-80-78=31712
10s
T3Tom Vardon81-81-80-75=31712
10s
T5James Braid82-85-75-76=3187
10s
T5Ted Ray83-80-79-76=3187
10s
T7George Duncan83-78-81-77=3190
T7Harry Vardon84-81-74-80=3190
T7Tom Williamson82-77-82-78=3190
10Tom Ball80-78-81-81=3200

Source: