The 1978 Open

Ben Crenshaw looking accusingly at his putt during the 1978 Open Championship.

The 1978 Open Championship marks a watershed for the University's Golf Photography Collection. It was the last St Andrews Open covered in the Cowie Collection and the first covered (albeit very briefly) in the Levy Collection. 

The Championship saw Isao Aoki take an opening 68 to lead on day one, a position that he maintained at the end of dat two; alongside Ben Crenshaw and Seve Ballesteros. It was all change on day three with Peter Oosterhuis and Tom Watson atop the leader board although Jack Nicklaus was beginning to look in ominous form with a third round 69. Nicklaus repeated this score on the final day to close out a two shot victory over Ben Crenshaw, Raymond Floyd, Mario Napoleoni and Simon Owen.

Perhaps the most absorbing story of the 1978 Open Championship occurred on the third day when Tommy Nakajima, in the lead on four under par, putted into the Road Hole bunker on 17 and proceeded to take four shots to escape. He carded a nine and his chance was gone.