The Greatest

The illness did take its toll though. He suffered muscle damage to his right hand, which led to poor putting from short range.

In 1910, Vardon designed five courses in the one year alone. His game was coming back and his appetite for winning also returned. In 1911, and despite the poor health of previous years, he fought gallantly and won his fifth Open at Royal St Georges. It was a truly Herculean effort.

In 1914, Vardon won his sixth and final Open Championship at Prestwick. This feat today lies unbeaten. It was a sad year though as his father Philippe passed away aged 86. One can only wonder how proud he must have been of his son, despite his original misgivings.

At the age of 50, Vardon came second in the US Open. He had a four-shot lead with eight to play but the nerve damage in his hand and inclement weather washed away his chances. In 1926 he played his last Open Championship. It was the end of an era.

In his lifetime he wrote numerous books, designed or re-modelled 20 courses and popularised the sport on a global scale. In addition to his six Open wins, he also came second four times and won a total of 62 tournaments, including a staggering run of 14 straight victories.

How many more majors would he have won if it was not for the First World War, which ruled out play at The Open between 1915 and 1919? How many more could trophies could he have lifted if had it not been for the tuberculosis?

Today, the player with the lowest stroke average on the PGA Tour receives the Vardon Trophy. Prior to the introduction of the European Tour's Race to Dubai, winners of the Order of Merit would receive the Harry Vardon Trophy, although the tour continues to herald Vardon by depicting his silhouette on their logo. When the World Golf Hall of Fame opened its doors in 1974, Vardon was one of the first inductees.

In the introduction to his book, The Complete Golfer, Vardon wrote, "I owe so much – everything – to the great game of golf, which I love very dearly, and which I believe is without a superior, for deep human and sporting interest.”

Vardon died on 20 March, 1937 in Totteridge, Hertfordshire aged only 67. The loss was felt right across the golfing world. The legendary writer Bernard Darwin said, “I do not think anyone who saw him play in his prime will disagree as to this, that a greater genius is inconceivable.”

Vardon was truly a golfing great who came from the lowliest of backgrounds and gave his life to the sport. Even when he was weakened in his later years, he wrote inspirational books and continued to give lessons and encourage a younger generation of players.

His record at The Open is truly remarkable and we in golf continue to be in awe of him, just like the young Francis Ouimet, all those years ago.