Golf Majors Lookup

Complete Major Championship History

Bob Martin headshot

Bob Martin

2 Major Championships • 48th All-Time

2 Wins
1 2nd Place
23 First Win Age

Major Championship Wins

About Bob Martin

Bob Martin won 2 major championships during a 9-year span, with the first coming in 1876.

Career Highlights

  • 1876 Open Championship — Won first Open at St Andrews via walkover after David Strath refused to play the playoff due to a rules controversy over whether Strath's ball had struck a spectator
  • 1885 Open Championship — Won second Open at St Andrews, becoming the first player in history to win two Opens at the Old Course
  • 1875 — Finished runner-up at The Open Championship at Prestwick
  • Career — Ten top-10 finishes in The Open Championship during the late 19th century
  • St Andrews Native — Journeyman professional from St Andrews, Fife, who competed at his home club throughout his career

Did You Know?

  • Historic Controversy: Martin's 1876 Open victory remains one of golf's most controversial — he won via walkover when Strath refused to play the playoff until officials ruled on whether Strath's ball had struck a spectator, but the committee insisted the playoff happen first
  • St Andrews Pioneer: By winning Opens in both 1876 and 1885, Martin became the first player to win The Open Championship twice at St Andrews — a feat later matched only by legends J.H. Taylor, James Braid, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods
  • Home Course Specialist: Both of Martin's Open victories came on the Old Course at St Andrews, his home club, showcasing his intimate knowledge of one of golf's most famous and challenging courses