Which amateur golfer won The Open Championship in 1890?

John Ball won the 1890 Open Championship as an amateur golfer. He triumphed at Prestwick Golf Club on 11 September with a score of 164, three strokes clear of Willie Fernie and Archie Simpson.

Ball was an English golfer from Hoylake and became the first Englishman to win The Open. His victory also made him the championship’s first amateur winner, a remarkable achievement in an era when professional Scottish golfers dominated the event.

The contest was played over 36 holes, with Ball shooting 82 in both rounds. He began the final round among the leaders and held his nerve while other contenders faded. His performance was especially notable because he also won The Amateur Championship in 1890, becoming the first player to capture both titles in the same year.

Bobby Jones and Harold Hilton are tempting alternatives because both were famous amateur champions, but neither won the 1890 Open. Ball’s later amateur career was also extraordinary: he won The Amateur Championship eight times and remained a leading figure in British golf for decades.