The Best and Worst Shots in the History of The Open Championship

The 151st Open Championship has kicked off at Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake as 156 players from the around the world attempt to take home the final major of the year.

To be the one lifting the Claret Jug aloft on Sunday afternoon requires any player to produce some of their best golf. Therefore, over the years, The Open has witnessed some of the most memorable shots in the history of the game...both good and bad!

From the simply sublime to the embarrassingly awful, let's check out some of the best and worst shots in the history of The Open Championship.

The Best from The Open

Constantino Rocca from the Valley of Sin (1995)

Italian Constantino Rocca duffed his chip shot into the Valley of Sin on the famous last hole at St Andrews. He'd need to sink a 65-footer from there to force a playoff with American John Daly. He did and although Daly won the playoff, Rocca's shot went down in history.

Jordan Spieth produces superb recovery (2017)

Standing on the 13th at Royal Birkdale, Spieth sliced his ball way right and needed a drop that took some 20 mins to work out. The tournament looked to be Matt Kuchar's before Spieth hit a stunning recovery shot. He'd go on to claim his maiden title.

Tiger Woods hole-out (2006)

The GOAT fired a 4-iron straight into the hole at the par-4 14th during the second round at Royal Liverpool. He went on to claim his 3rd Open title that week.

The Worst from The Open

Doug Sanders misses from 30in on the 18th (1970) Just 30 inches stood between American Doug Sanders and Claret Jug. He'd miss and go on to lose to Jack Nicklaus in a playoff at St Andrews.

Jean van de Velde blows three-shot lead (1999)

Down the 18th at Carnoustie, a par, bogey or even a double-bogey would have been enough for Frenchman Jean van de Velde to clinch the Open Championship. What followed was one of the biggest sporting collapses ever. He'd triple bogey and lose in the playoff to Paul Laurie.

Thomas Bjorn leaves it in the bunker (2003) With just three holes to play and a three shot lead, Dane Thomas Bjorn got stuck in the greenside bunker at the par-3 16th at Royal St. George’s. He'd spend those three shots getting out and American Ben Curtis took the 'W'.