1974 Open Championship

The 1974 Open Championship was the 103rd Open Championship, held from 10 to 13 July at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England. Gary Player won his third Open Championship, four strokes ahead of runner-up Peter Oosterhuis. It was the eighth of his nine major titles and second of the year; he won the Masters in April. In the other two majors in 1974, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, Player had top ten finishes.

The use of the larger "American ball" (diameter 1.68 in) was made compulsory. In previous Opens, players could use the smaller "British ball" (1.62 in).

Course layout
Source: Previous lengths of the course for The Open Championship (since 1950):
 * 1969: 6848 yd
 * 1963: 6836 yd
 * 1958: 6635 yd
 * 1952: 6657 yd

First round
Wednesday, 10 July 1974 Source:

Second round
Thursday, 11 July 1974

Amateurs: Lyle (+10), James (+16), Clark (+21), Burch (+22), Homer (+23), Shaw (+31).

Third round
Friday, 12 July 1974 Source: Amateurs: Lyle (+23), James (+24).

Final round
Saturday, 13 July 1974 Source:
 * The exchange rate at the time was approximately 2.39 dollars (US) per pound sterling.