Heritage 1932

The Open Championship 1932

Prince's has a proud and long standing association with the oldest and most international championship in professional golf.

Qualifying was held on Monday and Tuesday, 13th and 14th June with competitors playing one round each at both Prince’s and Royal St George’s. Early starters on the Monday had to contend with a strong, bitingly cold wind, which abated in the afternoon. Conditions for the Tuesday and for the Championship proper on the following three days were ideal for low scoring. Probably the most notable player who failed to qualify was James Braid, by then 62 years old, and the winner of five Opens between 1901 and 1910.

Gene Sarazen led the Championship after every round to finish in a record low score of 283, five shots ahead of Macdonald Smith and six ahead of Arthur Havers. Two rounds were played on the Friday and with a course record 68 in the third round, Arthur Havers moved to within four shots of Sarazen, but he was unable to repeat the performance in the afternoon when he carded a 76. Percy Alliss was one of three players tied for fourth place, following his third place the year before at Carnoustie. On nine occasions he finished in the top ten in the Open.

Despite a high fever, Henry Cotton fortified by champagne, made a good start to his first round only to slip down the field with a third round 77 to a total of 295. He had to wait two more years to record his first Open victory across the fence at George’s.

POS	PLAYER	1	2	3	4	TOTAL
1	Gene Sarazen	70	69	70	74	283
2	Macdonald Smith	71	76	71	70	288
3	Arthur Havers	74	71	68	76	289
4	Percy Alliss	71	71	78	72	292
=	Alf Padgham	76	72	74	70	292
=	Charles Whitcombe	71	73	73	75	292