Richard Burton was an English professional golfer. Burton is mainly remembered for winning The Open Championship in 1939, when it was played on the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. His win was achieved in some style, with a birdie down the 18th to win by two shots from Johnny Bulla. He played for Great Britain in the Ryder Cup in 1935, 1937, and 1949, and won two of his five matches. Burton, a former four-loom weaver at Cobden Mill, was born in Darwen, Lancashire. He is remembered for holding the Open title for the longest time ? from 1939 till after World War II. In the spring of 1946, he wrote to the Royal and Ancient, "Dear Sirs, Please find enclosed my fee of five guineas for this year's Open. I will bring the trophy back when I come." Burton was based at Sale Golf Club, on the Manchester Cheshire border, and is still celebrated at the club. Every year the club holds the Richard Burton Trophy on the weekend of the Open Championship, and have a display including the putter he used to win the Open. In later life, he was the club professional at Coombe Hill Golf Club in Kingston, Surrey. He once bet a rival that he could beat him using only a putter. 

October 11th, 1907 in   /  Died:   Dec 31st, 1989