Tom Kerrigan

Thomas Francis Kerrigan (October 10, 1895 – May 6, 1964) was an American professional golfer who played in the early 20th century. Kerrigan's best performance in the Open Championship came in the 1921 Open Championship when after enduring an Atlantic voyage aboard the RMS Aquitania he quickly acclimated himself to the Open Championship course at St Andrews on arrival in Britain and finished in third place. He was a frequent competitor in the PGA Championship in which his best results were quarter-final losses (in match play) in 1916, 1922, and 1925.

Like nearly all professionals from his era, he first learned the game of golf as a caddie in his youth. He joined the Siwanoy Country Club in 1914 and served as professional for a year at the Dedham Country and Polo Club in Massachusetts; however, he later returned to Siwanoy and would spend the majority of his career there.

Kerrigan served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He played in charity matches, sometimes wearing his Navy uniform, to raise money for the American Red Cross. His driving was described as "long and straight". His iron shots were effectively executed and he was able to handle the treacherous greens when the other players could not. His putting was said to be "wellnigh faultless." Arthur Reid, playing out of Ardsley Country Club, was second on 149 and Jack Dowling came in third on 150.

Kerrigan was twice the runner-up in the Canadian Open championship. in Toronto, Ontario, and once again finished in the second spot, this time losing to Clarence Hackney by the score of 295 to 300.

The 1921 Open Championship was the 56th Open Championship, held 23–25 June at the Old Course at St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland. Former local Jock Hutchison won his only Open Championship, in a 36-hole playoff over amateur Roger Wethered. It was Hutchison's second and final major title. Kerrigan finished in third place, carding rounds of 74-80-72-72=298, and won £40.

Kerrigan taught many golfers who went on to success in their own right in golf. Among them was Jess Sweetser, the first American-born amateur golfer to win the British Amateur championship which in 1926 was contested at Muirfield.

Results in major championships

NYF = tournament not yet founded NT = no tournament CUT = missed the half-way cut R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place