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A
Spectacular Life Cut Short |
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By
Drea Braxmeier
Manager of Media Relations
During
his short life, Young Tom Morris shared his many talents with
those who knew him and the many generations that followed. Beginning
his career at a very young age, Morris went on to win four major
championships before his life tragically came to an end.
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Young
Tom Morris |
Born in St. Andrew’s, Scotland, in 1851, Morris was the
son of Old Tom Morris, a world-class golfer in his time. Young
Tom followed in his father’s footsteps and began golfing
as soon as he was able to pick up a club.
At 13, Morris won his first local exhibition, after which his
career began to flourish. Three years later, he won the Open
Professional Tournament at Carnoustie, competing against some
of the greatest golfers in Scotland. After this event, word
of Morris’ talent began to grow throughout the golfing
community.
Morris’ first run at the British Open came in 1868 when
he was 17. He won this event, taking the title from his father
who had won it the previous year. The win also made him the
youngest in the championship’s history. Young Tom won
the Open again the following year while his father finished
runner-up. It is the only time in tournament history when a
father-son duo has finished 1-2. After three consecutive wins
at the Open, Morris earned the right to maintain the “Championship
Belt,” which was awarded to the winner each year.
The Open was not held in 1871 so the committee could decide
how to deal with Morris’ dominance of the event. They
came up with the system of rotating the championship between
three courses and awarding the winner with the famous “Claret
Jug.” In 1872 when the Open was once again held, Morris
shocked everyone coming away with his fourth consecutive Open
title, the last before his death.
Young Tom is known for more than just his golfing career. He
was regarded by those who knew him best as “endearingly
modest.” His disposition was kind and gentle.
“Golfers may come and golfers may go, but it is very much
open to doubt whether any golfers will be quite the idol of
the day as Young Tom was during his brilliant career,”
wrote Harold Hutchinson.
In 1875, Morris’ wife and young child died during childbirth.
The shock of it was too much for Morris to handle and he died
just a few months later on Christmas Day due to what some call
a “broken heart.” He was 24.
A plaque commemorating the life of Young Tom sits in St. Andrew’s
Cathedral. The inscription reads: “Deeply regretted by
numerous friends and all golfers, he thrice in succession won
the championship belt and held it without rivalry and yet without
envy, his many amiable golfing qualities being no less acknowledged
than his golfing achievements.” |
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