Hamilton's Shock Victory at Royal Troon

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

ROYAL TROON has hosted The Open Championship eight times and produced some great champions, including Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Locke. And when Tom Weiskopf won there way back in 1973 he was one of the best golfers in the world.

But it has also produced some surprise champions - Arthur Havers in 1923, Mark Calcavecchia in 1989, Justin Leonard in 1997 and Todd Hamilton, who took the title the last time it was played there, back in 2004. Hamilton beat Ernie Els in a four-hole playoff during a week when he mastered the course thanks to his ability to keep the ball in play and his remarkable chipping skills from off the greens with a fairway wood. Phil Mickelson was third with Lee Westwood fourth.

Paul Casey and Thomas Levet both opened with rounds of 66, five under par, and led by two over a group of nine players. Defending champion Ben Curtis stumbled to a 75, but there were 39 rounds under par, 25 of those being in the 60s. Home favourite Colin Montgomerie, who played much of his golf at Royal Troon, where his father had been secretary, began with a 69.

Skip Kendall was the surprise 36-hole leader after a 66 took him to 135. Casey had a 77, while Levet shot a 70 to drop down into second. KJ Choi was tied for third with England's Barry Lane. Hamilton finished the round with a 67 to move up into a tie for fifth place.

Hamilton surged up the leaderboard with a second consecutive 67 to finish the third day at 205 (−8), one ahead of Els, the 2002 champion. One shot behind were Mickelson, Retief Goosen and Levet on 207. A 68 saw Tiger Woods move within four shots of the lead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF4ETDoHsvY

The final round ended in a playoff over four holes between Hamilton and Els. Hamilton, playing in only his eighth major, led by two after chipping in for birdie on the par-3 14th to get to 10 under. Then he holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 16th. Els birdied the 16th and 17th and when Hamilton came to the last he was still leading by one. He pushed his tee shot into the rough, then chopped it across the fairway next to a guard railing that restricted his swing. Els hit his approach to 12 feet, while Hamilton chipped to 20 feet and missed to take bogey. Els left his putt to win short of the hole. 

After 72 holes, they were tied for the lead at 274 (−10), and headed off for a playoff over the 1st, 2nd, 17th, and 18th holes. Both men parred the first two holes, and Hamilton got his par on the 222-yard 17th, while Els dropped a shot after going through the green. Both players parred the 18th and, against all the odds, Hamilton was crowned Open champion.

For the second time in his life, Els played all four rounds in the 60s without winning - the same thing happened to him  at Royal St. George's in 1993. 

If you are looking for a form guide this time, the past six champions at Troon have all been from America.

Havers, from England, won £75 with his victory in 1923, Hamilton £720,000 and this year's champion will pocket a cheque for £1.175m.