Brian Twite – the only surviving player from the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush – may be 98, but his recollections of the tournament that year are crystal clear.
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BrianTwitemovedtoAustraliain1955whereheremainsaseniorgolfprofessional–RichardAllenBrianTwite–theonlysurvivingplayerfromthe1951OpenChampionshipatRoyalPortrush–maybe98,buthisrecollectionsofthetournamentthatyeararecrystalclear.
“Itwaswindyandwet,andIputtedabominably,”hesays.“Thefirstholewasstraightintothewind,andIplayedadriverandathree-wood.Iendedupshooting81and81andmissedthecutbysixshots.ThefellowIplayedwithinthosetworounds,EricBrown,had59puttsforthe36holeswhileIhad73putts.
“IwasverydisappointedbecauseIwasagoodputter.IhadboughtaGeorgeNicollputteracoupleofweeksearlierfor£2,whichIstilluse.Ericchippedwithafive-ironandhitittothreefeeteverytime.I’llneverforgetthepar-fourfifthholeonthefirstday–webothdrovewell,thenhechippedupandhadabirdiewhileItooksix.”
Twite,dressedinasportsjacket,isspeakingfromtheclubhouseoftheMetropo
