Braid, James

James Braid, (born February 6, 1870, Earlsferry, Fife, Scotland—died November 27, 1950, London, England), one of the greatest golfers of his time, winner of the Open Championship (British Open) five times in the first decade of the 20th century. Braid, together with Harry Vardon and John Henry Taylor, formed what was known as the “Great Triumvirate” of British golf prior to World War I.

Braid learned golf as a caddie but did not become a professional player until 1896. He won the Open Championship in 1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, and 1910; the French championship in 1910; and the News of the World tournament (retrospectively considered the British professional match-play championship competition) in 1903, 1905, 1907, and 1911. In his later years he designed several golf courses.