Arnaud Massy
In 1906, Arnaud Massy won the first edition of the French Open played at a Paris course. The following year he won it again, defeating a strong contingent of British players including the great Harry Vardon. But Massy wasn't through, he followed up his French national championship by becoming the first non-Brit to win the British Open. His victory raised the profile of the game in his native France, and with three other major players, Massy put on exhibition matches in various European cities that contributed significantly to the increased popularity of golf on the continent.
In 1910, he won the inaugural Belgium Open and in 1911 was the runner-up at the British Open to Harry Vardon. That year, Massy completed his book on golfing that was successfully published in France then translated into English for the British market. In 1912, he won the first Spanish Open ever played and the next season was part of the first international golf competition involving the best players from France and the United States that included the great Bobby Jones.
Massy's golfing career had to be put on hold as a result of World War I. While serving in the French army he was wounded at Verdun but at war's end was able to return to golfing. At age 41, he had lost four prime years and struggled to compete. Remarkably, in 1925 at age 48, he won the French Open for the fourth time and then won back-to-back Spanish Opens in 1927/28. When his career finally wound down he worked as a pro at courses in England, France and Morocco. Married to an English woman, he lived in Edinburgh, Scotland during the Second World War.
Arnaud Massy retired in Etretat in Normandy where he passed away in 1950. He remains the only French golfer to ever have won the British Open.
Major Tournament Wins:
- Belgium Open : 1910
- British Open: 1907
- French Open : 1906, 1907, 1911, 1925
- Spanish Open : 1912, 1927, 1928
