Who's who: Dick Burton

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Who's who: Dick Burton

  • Name:

    Richard "Dick" Burton
  • Country:

    Scotland
  • Lived:

    [1907-1974]. Born on Oct 11, 1907 in Darwen, nr Blackburn, Lancs. Died on Jan 30, 1974 Kingston upon Thames, Greater London (aged 66).
  • Original/Home Club:

    Darwen GC
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; golf instructor and writer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1929

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): The Open (1939). Several wins on the British professional circuit.

Did you know?

Burton won the 1939 edition of The Open Championship, which, due to the Second World War, was not played again until 1946. This allowed Burton to set an unlikely record, holding the Championship title for the longest period of time ... six years. In 1946, as defending champion, he finished 12th, 12 shots behind winner Sam Snead.

Top tournaments won by Dick Burton

1949
Europe
281
£300
Silvertown Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Burton, Dick

Score

281

Prize money

£300

Title sponsor

Silvertown Co.

Played as the Silver King Tournament. Second-placed and defending champion Charlie Ward (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Burton (Eng). [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].

1940
Europe
280
£100
Daily Mail

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Burton, Dick

Score

280

Prize money

£100

Title sponsor

Daily Mail

Played as the Daily Mail £500 Tournament (for the last time until 1945, due to WW2). Second-placed and defending champion Henry Cotton (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Burton (Eng). [East course, Sundridge Park GC, nr Bromley, Kent].

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Burton, Dick

Score

290 (+2)

Prize money

£100

Title sponsor

R&A

The Open Championship (74th) (July 5-7). Second-placed Johnny Bulla (USA) finished 2 shots behind Burton (Eng), who became the player to hold the famous Claret Jug for the longest period of time - seven years. Due to World War II, The Open was not played again until 1946. [The Old Course, St Andrews, Fife].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Burton, Dick

Venue

Hesketh

Score

280

Prize money

£315

Title sponsor

Dunlop

Played as the Dunlop-Southport £1600 Tournament. Second-placed Charles Whitcomb (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Burton (Eng). [Hesketh GC, Southport, Merseyside].

1936
Europe
Temple Newsam
3 & 2
£150
Yorkshire Eve. News

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Burton, Dick

Venue

Temple Newsam

Score

3 & 2

Prize money

£150

Title sponsor

Yorkshire Eve. News

Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £750 Tournament (June 11-13). Dick Burton (Eng) beat A.G. Matthews (Eng) 3 and 2 in the final. Burton recovered from being four down after the first 18 holes in the 36-hole final. [Temple Newsam GC, Leeds, West Yorkshire].

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Tournaments

Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.

Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.

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Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.

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The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.

Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.

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Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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