Tom Watson won a fourth Open title on a fourth different Scottish links as he reigned supreme at Royal Troon – joining an illustrious club in the process.
His triumph saw him match Bobby Jones (twice), Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Lee Trevino in winning both the US Open, where he beat Jack Nicklaus in another thrilling duel at Pebble Beach and The Open in the same summer.
Yet Watson only entered the story late on at Royal Troon, which had received its Royal Charter in its centenary year of 1978.
Bobby Clampett, a 22-year-old American playing in his first Open, had a 67 and then a 66 to lead Zimbabwe’s Nick Price by five strokes at the halfway stage.