Open anniversaries: Peter Thomson wins fourth Claret Jug 60 years ago
Last Updated: 16/07/18 3:34pm
Peter Thomson won his fourth Claret Jug at Royal Lytham and St Annes in the 1958 Open Championship.
The Australian legend, who passed away last month, had dominated The Open throughout the mid-1950s, winning the title three times in a row between 1954-56.
A year earlier in 1957 he could only finish second, but stormed back to reclaim his title and make it seven years in a row of finishing either first or second.
Thomson started in ominous fashion as he shot an opening-round 66 to take a one-stroke lead, but a 72 the following day saw him drop back into a tie for third, three shots off the Irish leader Christy O'Connor Sr.
The third round on the Friday morning saw Thomson retake the lead as he moved two shots clear of Dave Thomson, but the Welshman fought back to secure a play-off as both players finished on 12 under.
For the first time in nine years The Open was forced into a Saturday 36-hole play-off. Thomson shot a 68 over the first 18 to take a narrow one-shot lead, but Thomson wilted over the next round as he could only make 74 to Thomson's 71, as the Australian secured a four-shot win.
Thomson's dominance would slip slightly in the following years, although he still finished in the top 10 from 1960-63, but he would triumph again at The Open as he secured a fifth and final title in 1965.
