This Day in Open Ch. History: July 22

On this date in 1984, the iconic moment in Seve Ballesteros’ career took place at the Open Championship at St. Andrews when he birdied the 18th hole and won the title by two shots over Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer. Watson was trying for a third straight victory but left it out on the greens with an off putting day, and a bogey on the Road Hole 17th after a good drive dashed his chances. It was a remarkable battle of titans, and some speculate the outcome contributed to Watson’s inability to win another major in his prime years. On another moment, on this date in 1971, Arnold Palmer opened with a 64 at the Westchester Cl., and would go on to win the $50,000 top prize.