This Day in Open Ch. History: July 18

Louis Oosthuizen got off to a slow start in the first round of the Open at Royal Portrush yesterday with a 77. On this date 15 years ago he won The Open at St. Andrews by seven shots. Also on this date in 1982, Tom Watson won his fourth Open Championship, by one shot over a faltering Nick Price and Peter Oosterhuis, at Royal Troon. On this date in 1988, Seve Ballesteros won his third Open Championship, edging Nick Price by two at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. Seve shot 65 to beat the 54-hole leader Price. The championship was forced to finish on a Monday for the first time ever due to heavy rain on Saturday.