Thomas Morris

Scottish golfer
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Also known as: Old Tom
early professional golfers
early professional golfers
Byname:
Old Tom
Born:
June 17/26, 1821, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Died:
May 1908, St. Andrews

Thomas Morris (born June 17/26, 1821, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland—died May 1908, St. Andrews) was a Scottish golfer who won the Open Championship (British Open) tournament four times.

Morris spent most of his life at St. Andrews as a professional player and greenskeeper (1863–1903). During his lifetime he became an almost legendary figure in golf, winning the Open in 1861, 1862, 1864, and 1867 and competing in that annual event continually from 1861 to 1896, when he was 75 years old. A noted golf architect and one of the first supporters of 18-hole courses, Morris developed more than 25 links, including courses at Muirfield and Prestwick in Scotland. He also founded a successful business that designed and sold golf clubs and balls. His son Thomas Morris, Jr., was also an accomplished golfer who won the Open four times as well.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)
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