Sam Snead won his only Open title, four strokes ahead of runners-up Johnny Bulla and Bobby Locke.

[11] In his second Open Championship appearance and first since 1937, Snead did not endear himself to the St Andrews crowd on arrival.

[1][16] Snead, Bulla, and Rees were tied for the lead at 215 (−4) going into the final round on Friday afternoon, with Cotton one behind.

Snead's win here was his only Open Championship title and he played the tournament only three more times, not returning until 1962.

Dick Burton, the defending champion from 1939, relinquished the trophy after seven years and finished in twelfth place.