This Day in Open Ch. Golf--July 21

The lore of Seve Ballesteros and the Open Championship began with his runner-up finish to Johnny Miller in 1976 at Royal Birkdale, but his first victory came on this date in 1979. Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus had just won in 1977 and 1978, respectively, but Ballesteros was in command at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. He was the only player to finish under par for 72 holes, at one under, and he finished three ahead of runners-up Nicklaus and Ben Crenshaw. Seve would win twice more, in 1984 and 1988. Other July 21 Open Sundays include 1985, 1991, 1996, 2002 and 2013.