Ted Ray

With a career in golf that began at the age of 17 as club maker, England’s Ted Ray went on to enjoy a remarkable tournament career highlighted by his outstanding performance in golf’s major championships. He won the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1912, leading after every round, finishing four strokes ahead of Harry Vardon and eight clear of James Braid. He was also runner-up, in 1913 and 1925, and had nine other Open finishes in the top-10. His last top-10 finish was in 1925 when, at the age of 48, he finished second, one shot behind Jim Barnes. In all, Ray competed in a remarkable 29 consecutive Open Championships from 1899 and 1932. Ray's last appearance was in 1937, just after his 60th birthday.

A fine club maker who turned professional at age 17 in 1894, Ray also competed in three U.S. Opens, and is best known for being in a playoff for the U.S. Open in 1913 with Harry Vardon and American amateur Francis Ouimet, who completed a remarkable upset over the two established major champions. Ray joined Vardon on an extensive tour of North America in 1913 and 1920, partnering in exhibition matches against the top players in each area they visited to promote growth and interest in the game.

Ray won the U.S. Open at Inverness in 1920, his second appearances in the championship. That victory, at 43 years, 129 days, made Ray the oldest U.S. Open champion, a record he held until Raymond Floyd, a few months older, won in 1986. At age 50 he was selected to compete for Great Britain in the inaugural Ryder Cup in 1927 in Worcester, Mass. When captain Abe Mitchell fell ill and was unable to travel, Ray served as playing captain.

Born: April 6, 1877 (Bailiwick of Jersey, England)
Died: August 26,1943 (Watford, England; age 66)

Professional Wins: 46

Best Results in Major Championships
• Masters: DNP
• U.S. Open: Won (1920) Inverness Club (Toledo, Ohio)
• The Open Championship: Won (1912) Muirfield (Gullane, Scotland); runner-up (1913, 1925)
• PGA Championship: DNP

Achievements and Awards
• Captain of the British team in the inaugural Ryder Cup in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts.
• Won the U.S. Open at Inverness in 1920 and held the record as the oldest U.S. Open champion for 66 years (aged 43 years, 129 days).
• Selected for the England team every year in the England-Scotland Professional Match, the most important professional team competition prior to World War I.