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spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Champions","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2008","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/g-080720-cvr-harrington-11a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Adrian Dennis", "AFP - Getty Images", "270", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Padraig Harrington (2008)
Padraig Harrington won his second straight British Open, overtaking 53-year-old Greg Norman and fending off Ian Poulter. Harrington, who beat Sergio Garcia in a playoff in 2007, won by four strokes with a 3-over 283 total.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2007","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PadraigHarrington_2007_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Andrew Redington", "Getty Images", "358", "266", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Padraig Harrington (2007)
By capturing the Claret Jug in 2007 at Carnoustie Golf Club, Padraig Harrington became the first Irishman to win The Open Championship in 60 years. He earned his victory by besting Sergio Garcia by one stroke in a four-hole playoff. The extra holes were necessary because Harrington recorded a double bogey on the 18th hole, and Garcia subsequently bogeyed the final hole too.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2006","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_WilliamsWoods_2006_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Andy Lyons", "Getty Images", "358", "263", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tiger Woods (2006)
Just over a month after Tiger Woods missed the cut at the U.S. Open and snapped his record-tying streak of 39 consecutive cuts made at majors, he stormed back at The Open Championship to post a winning score of 18 under. It was an extremely emotional win for Woods, whose father and mentor had died just months earlier.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2005","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TigerWoods_2005_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Richard Heathcote", "Getty Images", "273", "357", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tiger Woods (2005)
Finishing with the only round under par among the final 14 golfers in 2005, Tiger Woods won his second Open Championship and second at the famed Old Course at St. Andrews. The victory was also his 10th career title at a major.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2004","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_ToddHamilton_2004_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "243", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Todd Hamilton (2004)
Todd Hamilton had been playing professional golf for 17 years before he finally earned his first PGA Card, and he made his first year on the tour a memorable one. Hamilton outlasted Ernie Els in a four-hole playoff at Royal Troon Golf Club.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2003","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BenCurtis_2003_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Sven Nackstrand", "AFP/Getty Images", "273", "371", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Ben Curtis (2003)
American golfer Ben Curtis qualified for the 2003 British Open just two weeks before the Open started, but he looked right at home at Royal St. George's Golf Club. Curtis, who trailed by two strokes heading into the final round, shot a 69 in Sunday play to surprise the field and earn a one-stroke victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2002","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_ErnieEls_2002_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Andrew Redington", "Getty Images", "358", "242", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Ernie Els (2002)
It took two playoffs, but Ernie Els finally captured the 2002 British Open title. Tied with Thomas Levet, Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington at the end of four rounds, Els and Levet went into a sudden death playoff after eliminating Elkington and Levet in the four-hole playoff. Els had finished in the top 10 at The Open Championship six times in 10 years prior to winning the Claret Jug.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2001","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_DavidDuval_2001_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Stephen Munday", "Getty Images", "273", "356", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "David Duval (2001)
David Duval earned his first and only career major at The Open Championship in 2001, shooting a third-round 65 and final-round 67 to finish at 10-under and win by three strokes. His career went into a downward spiral soon after his victory at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","2000","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TigerWoods_2000_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Adrian Dennis", "AFP/Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tiger Woods (2000)
Tiger Woods won the 2000 Open Championship by a commanding eight strokes, shooting rounds of 67, 66, 67 and 69 to finish at a record 19-under-par. The victory gave him a career Grand Slam at the age of 24, as he became the youngest golfer ever to achieve that career feat.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1999","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PaulLawrie_1999_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Stephen Munday", "Getty Images", "273", "373", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Paul Lawrie (1999)
Facing a daunting 10-stroke deficit heading into the final round, Paul Lawrie engineered an impressive comeback -- and had a little help. He shot a 67, the day's best score, while leader Jean Van de Velde imploded with a 77. Lawrie hadn't led throughout the tournament, but he won a four-hole playoff against Van de Velde and Justin Leonard.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1998","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_MarkOMeara_1998_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Andrew Redington", "Getty Images", "358", "272", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Mark O'Meara (1998)
Mark O'Meara went eight years playing professional golf without winning a major and then won two major tournaments in a single year. With a Masters title already under his belt in 1998, O'Meara claimed a playoff win over Brian Watts in The Open Championship.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1997","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_JustinLeonard_1997_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "268", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Justin Leonard (1997)
In 1997, Justin Leonard transformed a five-stroke deficit heading into the final round into a three-stroke victory when the final 18 holes had been played. His final-round 65 proved to be the difference at Royal Troon Golf Club, as Leonard earned his first major championship.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1996","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomLehman_1996_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Stephen Munday", "Getty Images", "358", "251", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Lehman (1996)
Since Bobby Jones won at Royal Lythan and St. Annes in 1926, no American golfer had been able to win the British Open on that course. That changed in 1996, when Tom Lehman, playing in just his third Open Championship, survived final-round charges by Mark McCumber and Ernie Els to capture the win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1995","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_JohnDaly_1995_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Stephen Munday", "Getty Images", "358", "274", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "John Daly (1995)
A miracle shot earned Costantino Rocca a playoff against John Daly in the 1995 British Open, but it was the American who prevailed. Daly took an advantage he would not relinquish with a birdie on the first playoff hole (Rocca three putted).";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1994","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_NickPrice_1994_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Stephen Munday", "Getty Images", "273", "364", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Nick Price (1994)
Although he was tied with Jesper Parnevik heading into the final round at Turnberry in 1994, Nick Price fell one stroke behind with eight holes to go. Price kept his eye on Parnevik (who was in the group ahead of him), and his birdie on the 16th and eagle on the 17th kept him within striking distance. On the 18th hole, Parnevik thought he needed a birdie to win (he actually needed just a par), and his aggressive putt resulted in a bogey. A par putt by Price on 18 earned him the victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1993","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_GregNorman_1993_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Denis Paquin", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "267", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Greg Norman (1993)
A clutch performance in the final round propelled Greg Norman to his 1993 Open Championship win. He shot a 64 to overtake defending champion Nick Faldo and earn a two-stroke victory at Royal St. George's.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1992","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_NickFaldo_1992_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "273", "383", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Nick Faldo (1992)
Nick Faldo led the 1992 Open Championship by four strokes with just nine holes remaining, but he faded on the first four holes of the back nine. Fortunately for Faldo, that cushion meant his collapse wasn't as destructive. A par on the final hole gave Faldo his third Open Championship win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1991","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_IanBakerFinch_1991_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Ian Baker-Finch (1991)
Although his first two rounds at Royal Birkdale in 1991 didn't garner much attention, Ian Baker-Finch jumped into the spotlight with a third-round 64. That score -- which included an eagle-birdie finish -- helped him take a share of the lead. With a 29 on the front nine and a fourth-round total of 66, Baker-Finch took control the final day and earned his first and only major championship win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1990","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_NickFaldo_1990_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "271", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Nick Faldo (1990)
Playing inspired golf all four rounds at the Old Course at St. Andrews in 1990, Nick Faldo earned top honors at The Open Championship. He finished with a five-stroke victory, holding off Payne Stewart and Mark McNulty for the win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1989","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_MarkCalcavecchia_1989_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "232", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Mark Calcavecchia (1989)
For the first time in 1989, The Open Championship was decided in a four-hole playoff (previously the playoff was an extra 18 holes), as Mark Calcavecchia, Greg Norman and Wayne Grady were tied following 72 holes. On the playoff's final hole, Calcavecchia salvaged a tee shot that had found the right rough and earned his first and only major championship win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1988","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_SeveBallesteros_1988_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "246", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Seve Ballesteros (1988)
Seve Ballesteros earned his third Open Championship win at the same course where he won his first -- Royal Lytham and St. Annes. The Spaniard had to wait an extra day to hoist the Claret Jug, as rain washed out the third round. It was in the fourth round that he excelled, however, shooting a 65 and claiming a two-stroke victory over Nick Price.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1987","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_NickFaldo_1987_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Simon Bruty", "Getty Images", "358", "254", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Nick Faldo (1987)
Nick Faldo parred every single hole in his final round at Muirfield in 1987, but that was all he needed to do for his first major victory. He battled the bad weather and claimed the win by one stroke.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1986","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_GregNorman_1986_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "251", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Greg Norman (1986)
Greg Norman's second round at Turnberry in 1986 included one eagle and eight birdies and resulted in a 63. That score helped him surge to the top of the leaderboard. Norman held on to that lead through the next two rounds to claim his first major victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1985","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_SandyLyle_1985_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "207", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Sandy Lyle (1985)
Scottish golfer Sandy Lyle delighted the fans at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in 1985, becoming the first British player to win the Open Championship in 16 years. Lyle finished with a final-round 70 to hold off Payne Stewart by one stroke.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1984","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_SeveBallesteros_1984_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "272", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Seve Ballesteros (1984)
Playing in the final-round pairing ahead of Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros put tremendous pressure on the five-time Open Championship victor at St. Andrews in 1984. Ballesteros made par on the 17th and birdied the 18th, and the only way Watson could win was an eagle on the 72nd hole. He couldn't hole his second shot, and Ballesteros claimed the Claret Jug.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1983","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomWatson_1983_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Cannon", "Getty Images", "358", "232", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Watson (1983)
A birdie on the 16th hole of the final round proved to be the decisive stroke for Tom Watson at Royal Birkdale in 1983, as it gave him a one-shot advantage. He parred the final two holes to defend his title and capture his fifth British Open victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1982","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomWatson_1982_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Bob Martin", "Getty Images", "358", "245", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Watson (1982)
At Royal Troon in 1982, Tom Watson slowly and methodically worked his way through four rounds of golf -- and sometimes less than ideal conditions -- to earn a one-stroke victory. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1981","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BillRogers_1981_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Getty Images", "Getty Images", "358", "243", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bill Rogers (1981)
If not for the encouragement of good friend Ben Crenshaw, American golfer Bill Rogers never would have competed in the 1981 British Open. Once he took to the course at Royal St. Georges, however, Rogers was glad he came. He had a five-stroke lead heading into the final round and finished with a four-stroke victory, claiming his first and only major championship win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1980","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomWatson_1980_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Steve Powell", "Getty Images", "358", "271", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Watson (1980)
With a third-round 64 in 1980, Tom Watson surged up the leaderboard at Muirfield and opened a four-stroke advantage. With a final-round 69, he won by that same margin and earned the Claret Jug for the third time.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1979","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_SeveBallesteros_1979_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "347", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Seve Ballesteros (1979)
When Spaniard Seve Ballesteros captured the Claret Jug in 1979, he was just 22 years old. He became the youngest Open Championship winner in the 20th century, topping runners-up Jack Nicklaus and Ben Crenshaw by three strokes despite hitting just one fairway in the final round.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1978","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_JackNicklaus_1978_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Steve Powell", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Jack Nicklaus (1978)
With his British Open win in 1978, Jack Nicklaus became the only golfer in history to have won each major championship at least three times (Tiger Woods has subsequently tied this record). The victory came 16 years after his first Open Championship win and eight years after his most recent Open triumph. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1977","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomWatson_1977_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Express Newspapers", "Getty Images", "358", "231", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Watson (1977)
With both shooting first-round 68s, second-round 70s and third-round 65s, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus were about as equally matched as possible at Turnberry in 1977. Paired up with a three-stroke advantage heading into the final round, they continued to match each other's blistering pace and were tied after 16 holes. Watson took his first lead with a birdie on the 17th hole and then clinched a one-stroke victory with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole. He finished with a 65 for the second straight day. Third-place finisher Hubert Green was 11 strokes behind Watson.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1976","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_JohnnyMiller_1976_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Getty Images", "Getty Images", "358", "274", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Johnny Miller (1976)
Playing his third round at Royal Birkdale in some of the day's worst weather, Johnny Miller still managed to finish with one of the day's lower scores -- a 73. In nicer weather the following day he recorded the day's lowest score (and a course record). His 66 helped him cruise to a six-stroke victory and claim his first and only British Open win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1975","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomWatson_1975_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Evening Standard", "Getty Images", "273", "410", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Watson (1975)
Four birdies in the first six holes of Tom Watson's third round at Carnoustie in 1975 put him just three strokes off the lead heading into the final round. On a windy final day, Watson's 72 was good enough to carry him into a tie for the lead with Jack Newton. They were also tied after 17 holes in the 18-hole playoff. Watson managed to par the final hole, however, and captured The Open Championship win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1974","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_GaryPlayer_1974_v.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "209", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Gary Player (1974)
In 1974 for the third straight decade, Gary Player earned the right to have his name engraved on the Claret Jug. He extended his 54-hole lead of three strokes to four strokes by the end of play on the final day to win his third Open Championship.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1973","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TomWeiskopf_1973_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "273", "359", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Weiskopf (1973)
Tom Weiskopf triumphed on the rain-soaked grounds of Royal Troon in 1973, posting an aggregate score of 276 and earning a three-stroke victory. It was his first and only major championship win, although he finished tied for second once at the U.S. Open and four times at The Masters.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1972","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_LeeTrevino_1972_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Evening Standard", "Getty Images", "358", "250", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Lee Trevino (1972)
Jack Nicklaus had won the first two majors of 1972, but Lee Trevino prevented him from winning the third. Trevino successfully defended his Open Championship victory, holding off Nicklaus with pars on the final two holes.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1971","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_LeeTrevino_1971_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "273", "371", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Lee Trevino (1971)
Just weeks after outlasting Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open, Lee Trevino survived a late final-round scare to capture the Open Championship win as well. Trevino had a three-stroke lead at Royal Birkdale on the 17th hole but recorded a double bogey 7 to slip to just one shot ahead of the field. He rebounded to birdie the final hole, however, and earn a one-stroke victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1970","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_JackNicklaus_1970_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Express Newspapers", "Getty Images", "358", "268", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Jack Nicklaus (1970)
Jack Nicklaus was in the midst of a three-year downturn when he came to the British Open in 1970, but his performance at St. Andrews snapped him out of his major championship slump. Nicklaus topped Doug Sanders in a playoff for the victory, which was made even more emotional by the death of Nicklaus' father earlier that year.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1969","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TonyJacklin_1969_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "358", "231", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tony Jacklin (1969)
Snapping an 18-year Open Championship drought of British champions, Tony Jacklin earned a two-stroke victory at Lytham and St. Annes in 1969. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1968","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_GaryPlayer_1968_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "251", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Gary Player (1968)
Gary Player finished the 1968 Open Championship at Carnoustie with an aggregate of 289 -- a 1-over-par score -- but that was still two strokes better than anyone else in the field. The shot that keyed Player's victory came on the 14th hole the final day, when he hit a 3 wood to within inches of the hole and earned a birdie.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1967","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_RobertoDeVicenzo_1967_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Central Press", "Getty Images", "358", "230", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Roberto DeVicenzo (1967)
Mounting a charge in the third round, Roberto DeVicenzo took a two-stroke lead after 54 holes at Hoylake in 1967. He held off such notables as Jack Nicklaus (the runner-up) and Gary Player (who tied for third) to win The Open Championship by that same two-stroke margin. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1966","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_JackNicklaus_1966_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "AP", "273", "383", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Jack Nicklaus (1966)
Jack Nicklaus needed a birdie four and a par four on the final two holes of the 1966 Open Championship to claim the one major championship title that had eluded him four years into his professional career. It's exactly what he got, finishing with a final-round 70 and a one-stroke win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1965","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PeterThomson_1965_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Hulton Getty", "Getty Images", "358", "234", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Peter Thomson (1965)
While frontrunners like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player struggled at Birkdale in 1965, four-time champion Peter Thomson rose to the top. Eleven years after his first British Open title and seven years after his fourth, Thomson claimed a two-stroke victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1964","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_TonyLema_1968_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "358", "216", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tony Lema (1964)
In just his first trip to St. Andrews, American golfer Tony Lema left with an Open Championship victory. Lema used the same caddie that Arnold Palmer had employed for his two Open wins and cruised to a five-stroke victory on the famed Scottish course.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1963","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BobCharles_1963_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Evening Standard", "Getty Images", "273", "377", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bob Charles (1963)
Outlasting Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff at Lytham and St. Annes in 1963, New Zealand's Bob Charles became the first left-handed golfer to win a major. After shooting rounds of 68, 72, 66 and 71, his 72-hole aggregate of 277 was the same as Rodgers', but Charles took charge in the extra holes. He finished eight strokes ahead in the playoff.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1962","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_ArnoldPalmer_1962_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Anonymous", "AP", "273", "355", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Arnold Palmer (1962)
Fans at Troon flocked to see Arnold Palmer play in 1962, often knocking down their fellow spectators in an attempt to get the best view of the defending champion. Because of their enthusiasm, fan boundaries were enacted and fairways were roped off. Palmer didn't disappoint those who watched him play, earning a six-stroke victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1961","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_ArnoldPalmer_1961_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "268", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Arnold Palmer (1961)
Arnold Palmer overcame poor weather, a challenging field and a second-round penalty to win his first Open Championship in 1961. Palmer earned his victory by holding off Dai Rees by one stroke.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1960","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_KelNagle_1960_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Evening Standard", "Getty Images", "358", "240", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Kel Nagle (1960)
All eyes were on Arnold Palmer at the start of the 1960 Open Championship at St. Andrews, as there had been a dearth of American players at the tournament in recent years, but Kel Nagle stole the spotlight as the tournament progressed. He claimed a one-stroke victory over Palmer. Nagle was 39 years old at the time of his Open win and had never previously recorded a top-10 finish at a major.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1959","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_GaryPlayer_1959_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "236", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Gary Player (1959)
Six years into his professional golf career -- and just two years into his tenure on the PGA Tour -- South African golfer Gary Player earned his first major championship win. He rallied from eight strokes back after 36 holes at Muirfield with the fifth-best third-round score (70) and second-best fourth-round score (68).";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1958","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PeterThomson_1958_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "271", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Peter Thomson (1958)
Out of all Australian golfer Peter Thomson's five British Open wins, his victory in 1958 was the most challenging. Thomson prevailed in a 36-hole playoff against good friend and protege Dave Thomas to win by four strokes.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1957","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BobbyLocke_1957_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Central Press", "Getty Images", "358", "255", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bobby Locke (1957)
Bobby Locke almost didn't get to keep his Open Championship victory in 1957, as he broke one of the tournament's rules on the 18th hole of the final round. He failed to put his marker on the right spot before draining his putt for a three-stroke victory, an error that was pointed out after the tournament had ended. Still, the officials decided that no advantage was gained by the mistake, and Locke claimed his fourth British Open win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1956","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PeterThomson_1956_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Keystone", "Getty Images", "358", "260", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Peter Thomson (1956)
With his win at Hoylake in 1956, Peter Thomson became the first golfer in the 20th century to win the Open Championship for three consecutive years. Thomson led by one stroke after 36 holes, two strokes after 54 holes and three strokes at the end of play.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1955","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PeterThomson_2004_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Torsten Blackwood", "AFP/Getty Images", "273", "387", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Peter Thomson (1955)
Playing an extremely controlled game at St. Andrews in 1955, Peter Thomson defended his Open Championship title with a two-stroke victory. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1954","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_PeterThomson_1954_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Central Press", "Getty Images", "358", "255", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Peter Thomson (1954)
A first-time winner claimed the Claret Jug the first time The Open Championship was played at Birkdale. Australian golfer Peter Thomson, who finished as the runner-up the previous year, moved into a share of the lead at the end of 54 holes, then took a one-stroke clubhouse lead with just two golfers remaining on the course. Neither was able to match his performance, and Thomson earned the victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1953","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BenHogan_1953_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Ben Hogan (1953)
Ben Hogan already had wins at The Masters and the U.S. Open in 1953, and he traveled to play the British Open for the first time with hopes of continuing his impressive major championship streak. Hogan quickly adjusted to the style of play, improving his scores each day and ultimately claiming a four-stroke victory at Carnoustie. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1952","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BobbyLocke_1952_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "273", "382", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bobby Locke (1952)
South African Bobby Locke recorded rounds of 74 and 73 on the final day at Lytham and St. Annes in 1952 to earn a one-stroke victory over Peter Thomson and a two-stroke victory over Fred Daly.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1951","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_MaxFaulkner_1967_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Aubrey Hart", "Getty Images", "358", "270", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Max Faulkner (1951)
In 1951 The Open Championship was played away from mainland Britain for the first time, but an English golfer emerged victorious. Max Faulkner took a two-stroke lead after two rounds and a six-stroke lead after three rounds. Although his lead had been whittled away to just two strokes at the end of the final round, that was all he needed to claim the championship.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1950","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BobbyLocke_1949_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Keystone", "Getty Images", "358", "227", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bobby Locke (1950)
Bobby Locke counted on his putting skills to distinguish him from the rest of the field at The Open Championship, and the impeccable condition of the greens at Troon in 1950 helped him achieve that goal. He claimed a two-stroke victory to defend his title.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1949","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_BobbyLocke2_1949_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Keystone", "Getty Images", "358", "205", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bobby Locke (1949)
Bobby Locke won his first major title in 1949 at The Open Championship in a 36-hole playoff against Harry Bradshaw, but the tournament is better known for Bradshaw's shot that flew into a broken beer bottle in the second round. With no referees available to make a rules judgment about what Bradshaw was able to do when faced with such an obstacle, he chose to shatter the bottle to get the ball out. It took him six shots to put his ball in the cup.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1948","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_HenryCotton_1940_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Fox Photos", "Getty Images", "273", "352", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Henry Cotton (1948)
A two-time British Open champion prior to World War II (with wins in 1934 and 1937), Henry Cotton raised money for the Red Cross during the war by playing exhibition matches while serving with the Royal Air Force. In 1948 -- the third year of resumed Open Championship competition -- Cotton equalled the margin by which he had won his first Open title and earned a five-stroke victory.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1947","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_FredDaly_1947_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Keystone", "Getty Images", "358", "250", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Fred Daly (1947)
Until 2007, Fred Daly had the honor of being the only Irishman to win The Open Championship. He achieved his victory in 1947, weathering checkered play throughout his four rounds to claim a one-stroke win.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","1946","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080711_SamSnead_1946_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Anonymous", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "237", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Sam Snead (1946)
Sam Snead weathered a blustery final round at St. Andrews in 1946 better than any of his opponents and earned his first and only Open Championship victory. The win came in the first year the British Open was played following a six-year hiatus for World War II.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Winners prior to World War II","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Densmore Shute","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_DennyShute_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "242", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Densmore Shute (1933)
A fourth-round 73 -- his fourth 73 of the tournament -- gave American Denny Shute a share of the clubhouse lead with fellow Ryder Cup participant Craig Wood. No other golfer was able to match or better their aggregate score of 292, and they went into a 36-hole playoff to decide the champion. Shute came out on top by five strokes.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Gene Sarazen","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_GeneSarazen_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Central Press", "Getty Images", "273", "341", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Gene Sarazen (1932)
Gene Sarazen won the only Open Championship of his career in 1932, taking a four-stroke lead into the final round and ultimately winning by five. Sarazen, who would later go out to claim a career Grand Slam, also turned heads at the British Open 41 years later at the age of 71 when he hit a hole-in-one at the tournament.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Tommy Armour","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_TommyArmour_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Central Press", "Getty Images", "273", "353", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tommy Armour (1931)
As a soldier during World War I, Scotland's Tommy Armour (left) lost his sight to a mustard gas explosion. He regained use of his right eye during his recovery and turned to golf. Despite his sight limitation, Armour won three of the four major championships, including a British Open victory in 1931.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Bobby Jones","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_BobbyJones_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kirby", "Getty Images", "273", "350", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Bobby Jones (1926, 1927, 1930)
Although he got off to a rough start with the town of St. Andrews, he later embraced the town and was likewise embraced by its inhabitants. He won the second of his three British Open titles on the Old Course and was later named a Freeman of the City in 1958, becoming just the second American to receive that honor (the first was Benjamin Franklin). Jones, who also won in 1926, achieved a calendar-year Grand Slam in 1930 by winning all four majors.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Walter Hagen","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_WalterHagen_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kirby", "Getty Images", "273", "359", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Walter Hagen (1922, 1924, 1928, 1929)
When Walter Hagen captured the Claret Jug in 1922, he became the first American-born player to win the British Open. He later added three more Open Championship victories to his resume and finished his golfing career with 11 major titles in total.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Jim Barnes","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_JimBarnes_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "General Photographic Agency", "Getty Images", "358", "127", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Jim Barnes (1925)
Jim Barnes was born in England but had become a naturalized American citizen by the time of his British Open victory in 1925. He rallied from a five-stroke deficit after 54 holes to claim a one-stroke win at Prestwick.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Harry Vardon","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_HarryVardon_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Central Press", "Getty Images", "273", "359", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Harry Vardon (1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, 1914)
Throughout his lengthy golfing career, Harry Vardon captured a record six Open Championship wins. Those six wins were stretched out over the course of three decades, with his first win in 1896 coming at the age of 26 and his final win in 1914 occurring at the age of 44.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","John H. Taylor","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_JohnHTaylor_h.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Topical Press Agency", "Getty Images", "273", "351", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "John Henry Taylor (1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913
In his five Open Championship wins (which stretched from 1894 to 1913), English golfer J.H. Taylor's smallest margin of victory was four strokes. He also won by five strokes, by six strokes and twice by eight strokes.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","James Braid","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_JamesBraid_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Reinhold Thiele", "Getty Images", "358", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "James Braid (1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910)
One third of the \"Great Triumvirate\" of British golfers who were the dominant forces in the sport in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (the other two were Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor), James Braid won five Open Championships. In addition to his on-course achievements, Braid is also often credited with inventing the \"dogleg\" style in golf course design.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Arnaud Massy","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_ArnaudMassy_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Topical Press Agency", "Getty Images", "358", "232", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Arnaud Massy (1907)
When French golfer Arnaud Massy claimed the Claret Jug in 1907, he became the first non-Brit to win The Open Championship. ";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Harold Hilton","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_HaroldHilton_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "358", "237", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Harold Hilton
For the first time in 1892, The Open Championship was played over 72 holes as opposed to 39 holes. Amateur golfer Harold Hilton captured the win at Muirfield, becoming just the second amateur to earn a British Open victory. At Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 1897, Hilton added his second Open Championship win to his resume.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","John Ball Jr. ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_JohnBall_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "358", "225", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "John Ball Jr. (1890)
English golfer John Ball Jr. became the first amateur to win The Open Championship with his three-stroke victory in 1890. He also won the British Amateur Championship in 1890, becoming the first player to take top honors in both of those events in the same year.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Tom Morris Jr.","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_TomMorrisJr_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "James Hardie", "Getty Images", "358", "246", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Morris Jr. (1868, 1869, 1870, 1872)
Born in St. Andrews to the greenskeeper of St. Andrews Links -- and eventual four-time Open Championship winner -- golfing was in Young Tom Morris' blood. His three-straight victories from 1868-1870 forced Open Championship officials to retire the original Championship Belt and give it to Morris in recognition of his accomplishments. He then became the first golfer to have his name engraved on the Claret Jug with his win in 1872.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Tom Morris Sr.","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Fiss%2C%20Stirling/Images/British%20Open/Champions/080714_TomMorrisSr_v.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Hulton Archive", "Getty Images", "358", "246", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "Tom Morris Sr. (1861, 1862, 1864, 1867)
After earning runner-up honors in the first Open Championship in which he played, Old Tom Morris went on to win the tournament four times. He became the oldest British Open champion in 1867 when he won at the age of 46. Morris finished as the runner-up the following year to his son, the only time in Open Championship history where a son and father finished in first and second place.";
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i++] = new Array("","Other","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_BritishOpen_champions[i-1].body = "• Willie Park (1860, 1863, 1875)
• Andrew Strath (1865)
• Tom Kidd (1873)
• Mungo Park (1874)
• Robert Martin (1876, 1885)
• Jamie Anderson (1876-1879)
• Robert Ferguson (1880-1882)
• Willie Fernie (1883)
• Jack Simpson (1884)
• David Brown (1886)
• Willie Park Jr. (1887, 1889)
• Jack Burns (1888)
• Hugh Kirkaldy (1891)
• William Auchterlonie (1893)
• Alexander Herd (1902)
• Jack White (1904)
• Edward Ray (1912)
• George Duncan (1920)
• Jock Hutchison (1921)
• Arthur Havers (1923)
• Alfred Perry (1935)
• Alfred Padgham (1936)
• Reginald Whitcombe (1938)
• Richard Burton (1939)";
// END editorial data