His victory came with a record score of 149 (for 36 holes of golf), which was twelve shots better than runners-up Davie Strath and Bob Kirk, and thirteen strokes better than his illustrious father, ‘Old’ Tom.
Young Tom’s first round of 47 was a new Championship record, and began in spectacular style, his ball finding the hole from some 182 metres aways with his third shot to the 520-metre first.
His total of 149 would not be bettered for as long as the tournament was played over three round of 12 holes.
With the championship belt now Tom’s personal property, there was no trophy available for 1871, and the event wasn’t held as a result.
Only the following year, when the Claret Jug was commissioned, was another event staged.
Source: GolfToday.co.uk
