As Adam Scott, Jason Day and several other Australians set out to claim their first Claret Jug at the British Open at Royal Liverpool starting tonight, the National Sports Museum at the MCG recognises the achievements of another Australian golfing great whose success at the British Open saw him become arguably Australia’s greatest ever golfer.
From today until August 26, Blazing a trail: Peter Thomson at the British Open features the seven medals won by Thomson at the British Open:
- Five Open Championship winner’s medals (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1965)
- Two Ryle Memorial medals as winner of the Open Championship and a member of the Professional Golfers Association (1955, 1958)
Unable to keep the perpetual Claret Jug, winners of the British Open are presented with a medal. In 1954, at the tender age of 24, Thomson claimed his maiden British Open title by a single stroke to become the first Australian golfer to claim the coveted Claret Jug.
Thomson won the major championship another four times over the next 11 years, firmly cementing his place as an Australian trailblazer and international golfing legend.
Thomson remains one of only five players in the tournament’s history to have won it five times.
Sixty years on from his momentous victory, Thomson is allowing himself to reflect on his extraordinary career.
“It’s quite special to think that my achievements all those years ago are still meaningful to Australians today,” said Thomson. “Seeing my Open Championship medals among hundreds of other treasured items in the National Sports Museum certainly evokes a strong sense of pride.”
The National Sports Museum is located at Gate 3 at the MCG, and is open daily from 10am (check www.nsm.org.au for details). Access to Blazing a trail: Peter Thomson at the British Open is included in standard museum entry.
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