What was the winning score in the 1977 Open, known as the Duel in the Sun? Tom Watson won with a total score of 268.
The 1977 Open Championship was played at the Ailsa Course at Turnberry from 6 to 9 July. Watson finished at twelve under par, one stroke ahead of Jack Nicklaus, whose 269 made the contest one of golf’s most celebrated head-to-head battles.
Watson and Nicklaus were paired together for both the third and final rounds. They separated themselves from the field under bright skies, trading birdies and repeatedly changing the lead. On the final hole, Nicklaus made an extraordinary long birdie putt to keep the pressure on, but Watson holed his short birdie putt to secure the championship.
Watson’s rounds were 68, 70, 65 and 65, adding to 268. The victory was his second Open title and his second major championship of 1977. The famous duel later inspired Turnberry to rename its 18th hole “Duel in the Sun.”