Since making his debut as an amateur at Royal Troon in 1989, Ernie has compiled an impressive Open record. Among the highlights…
- Ernie has played in The Open 25 times (including once as an amateur in 1989), registering two wins and 13 career top-10s: 1992 (T5th), 1993 (T6th), 1996 (T2nd), 1997 (T10th), 2000 (T2nd), 2003 (T3rd), 2002 (Won), 2004 (2nd), 2006 (3rd), 2007 (T4th), 2008 (T7th), 2009 (T8th), 2012 (Won).
- On his way to victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012, Ernie established a new record for Open rounds in the 60s, reaching a career total of 39, two more than previous leader Sir Nick Faldo. After the 2015 Open his tally reached 40 rounds in the 60s.
- Ernie was the first man in history to shoot all four rounds in the 60s in an Open, a feat he achieved at Royal St George’s in 1993. He did it again at Troon in 2004.
- Ernie has finished the Open on an under par aggregate on 14 occasions (tied best with Jack Nicklaus and Sir Nick Faldo).
- Ernie shot 29 for the front nine at Muirfield in 2002, one off the all-time Open Championship record.
- Ernie holds the all-time Open record for the most consecutive rounds under 70 (7, from first round 1993 to third round 1994).
- Ernie’s gap of ten years between wins (2002 to 2012) is the second longest gap between victories in Open history. Sir Henry Cotton holds the record with 11 years (1937 to 1948).
