Despite the 18th hole on the Old Course at St Andrews being the easiest par 4, it has been the sight of countless tension, hushed crowds, agonizing misses and joyful victories. It is nicknamed “Tom Morris” in honor of Thomas Mitchell Morris. In the mid-19th century, he was the youthful apprentice to Allan Robertson, perhaps the world’s first professional golfer. When he returned as the groundkeeper in 1865, a job he kept for 39 years, he recreated the first and 18th greens. A white flag is still flown over the 18th cup in honor of Old Tom Morris. When Tom Kidd was the first to win The Open Championship here in 1873, his prize was the equivalent of $17.00. In the background is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
