Peter Thomson was the pre-Championship favourite as he sought a remarkable fourth win in succession, but the Australian finished three shots behind fellow Open great Bobby Locke.

An aggregate total of 279 saw Locke match the record score he had posted at Troon seven years earlier, albeit his win was not without controversy.

After he had putted out for a 70 in the final round, officials received notice that Locke had failed to return his marker to the correct spot after he moved it out of the way of his playing partner on the 18th green.

He had holed the four-footer for a three but the Championship Committee decreed that no advantage had been gained, meaning the result, and his three-stroke victory, stood.