Dick Burton (golfer)

Richard Burton (11 October 1907 – 30 January 1974) was an English professional golfer.

Burton is mainly remembered for winning The Open Championship (British Open) in 1939, when it was played on the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. His win was achieved in some style, with a birdie down the 18th to win by two shots from Johnny Bulla. He played for Great Britain in the Ryder Cup in 1935, 1937, and 1949, and won two of his five matches.

Burton, a former four-loom weaver at Cobden Mill, was born in Darwen, Lancashire. He is remembered for holding the Open title for the longest time – from 1939 till after World War II. In the spring of 1946, he wrote to the Royal and Ancient, "Dear Sirs, Please find enclosed my fee of five guineas for this year's Open. I will bring the trophy back when I come."

Burton was based at Sale Golf Club, on the Manchester Cheshire border, and is still celebrated at the club. Every year the club holds the Richard Burton Trophy on the weekend of the Open Championship, and have a display including the putter he used to win the Open. In later life, he was the club professional at Coombe Hill Golf Club in Kingston, Surrey. He once bet a rival that he could beat him using only a putter. He lost his bet, but only on the 18th hole.

When Burton played fourball with other members, rather than pair up with a member, he would play against all three, and give full handicaps. He still won more often than not.

Also, Burton reputedly hit the 120-yard 17th hole with every club in his bag, including the putter.

Burton died in hospital on 30 January 1974 after a long illness.

Tournament wins (9)

Major championships

Wins (1)

Year	Championship	54 holes	Winning score	Margin	Runner-up
1939	The Open Championship	4 shot deficit	70-72-77-71=290	2 strokes	Johnny Bulla

Results timeline

Tournament	1932	1933	1934	1935	1936	1937	1938	1939
U.S. Open	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP
The Open Championship	T48	CUT	T39	CUT	T12	CUT	T4	1

Tournament	1940	1941	1942	1943	1944	1945	1946	1947	1948	1949
U.S. Open	DNP	DNP	NT	NT	NT	NT	CUT	DNP	DNP	DNP
The Open Championship	NT	NT	NT	NT	NT	NT	12	5	T18	T14

Tournament	1950	1951	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
U.S. Open	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP
The Open Championship	CUT	T12	DNP	T47	DNP	DNP	CUT	CUT	DNP	CUT

Tournament	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968
U.S. Open	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP
The Open Championship	DNP	CUT	DNP	CUT	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	CUT

Note: Burton never played in the Masters Tournament or the PGA Championship.

NT = No tournament
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10

Team appearances