1888: St Andrews

52 competitors entered for the 1888 championship on a bright and cold October day with high wind.

The early players were sent on their way by Old Tom Morris who later played his own round. You don't get that from Ivor Robson! Willie Park, Willie Fernie, Archie Simpson and Jamie Anderson all disappointed and the best early score posted was an 85 from Ben Sayers. The great amateur J E Laidlay was paired with Willie Campbell and these two apparently drew the largest share of spectators. Despite the wind, Campbell went out in 45. His inward nine was steadier still, the first four holes in four each, with a 39 giving him the best morning store of 84.

Local lad, Jack Burns, returning to his home course from Warwick was totalled as an 87 by his marker, three off the lead.

In the afternoon session Willie Campbell started badly with a six at the 1st and then, bunkered, a seven on The Dyke. The result of his travails was an outward 48 and although coming back in 42, 174 was always a beatable total.

David Anderson jnr, son of Old Da’ completed his second round in 86 again and an 87 from Ben Sayers left these two tied. Jack Burns went round in 85 seemingly leaving three tied in first place. It was then discovered that Burns’ morning round had been incorrectly totalled and he had, in fact, taken 86 strokes. Roberto de Vicenzo should have played his golf eighty years earlier as, ‘The mistake, however unfortunate it was for his two rivals, was one that could not be disputed, and it was ultimately decided that Jack Burns was the champion golfer for the year'.

Although David Anderson and Ben Sayers are shown tied for second they played off for the £6 prize the next day with Sayers shooting an 87. A bad day at the office for Anderson with a round of 100.