Tranlate this title Silver Medal, other Open Championship trophy in spanish

Speaking of the Open Championship, the first thing that comes to mind is its trophy, the iconic Claret Jug.

Destined for the Champion Golfer of the Year (recently returned to Royal Birkdale, as is tradition, by Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion), it occupies the thoughts of the professionals who will take to the course today to earn it.

But the Open Championship also awards another trophy, the Silver Medal, for the best amateur who makes the cut and completes 72 holes.

The award was established in 1949, on the occasion of the 78th edition of the tournament held at Royal St. George’s Golf Club.

The first amateur to receive it was Frank Stranahan, an American player who became fond of it, winning it four times in five consecutive editions, including the first time the Open was held at Royal Portrush in 1951.

Silver Medal, results

Seen from today, Stranahan represents an anomalous case in the history of the Silver Medal, as it has become an award that marks the winner’s almost immediate transition to professional golf (the only other example of a multiple winner is Peter McEvoy, who won it in 1978 and 1979).

Beginning in the 1980s, in addition to christening new pros, the Silver Medal has also begun to serve as a solid indicator of its winner’s future success.

In 1981, Hal Sutton won, going on to win the 1983 PGA Championship.

In 1985, at Royal Sandwich, it was José María Olazábal’s turn, who would then embark on his journey to the Green Jacket title in 1994.

In 1988, it was Tiger Woods’s turn, about whom I don’t think I need to say anything else.

Justin Rose was the low amateur in 1990 at Royal Birkdale, with a magnificent performance that placed him tied for fourth with two strokes over par, demonstrating the class that would lead him to win the U.S. Open in 2013 and become a true Ryder man.

In 2007, it was the turn of another champion whose list of achievements I don’t need to recount.

An 18-year-old Rory McIlroy tied for 42nd, but it was enough to secure the medal and pave the way for his pro career, which came immediately after that year’s Walker Cup.

Statistically, Woods and McIlroy are the only two to have both the Silver Medal and the Career Grand Slam.

Seven years later, the Northern Irishman also added the Claret Jug to the top amateur trophy, beating Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia by two shots. And guess who won the Silver Medal?

A certain Matt Fitzpatrick, who eight years later would win the U.S. Open in Brookline.

Italian golf is also present in the Silver Medal Hall of Fame: in 2009 it was Matteo Manassero who was the low amateur at Turnberry with 284 strokes, while in 2022 it was Filippo Celli’s turn, who wore the medal at St. Andrews, with 283 strokes.