Henry Cotton, age 41, won his third and final Open title, five strokes ahead of runner-up and defending champion Fred Daly.

[5][6] Cotton had led the qualification in 1935, the previous time the Open had been held at Muirfield.

Charlie Ward, Sam King, and Flory Van Donck shot 69 to share the first round lead.

The maximum number of players making the cut after 36 holes was again set at 40, and ties for 40th place were not included.

[2][3] Roberto De Vicenzo made his Open Championship debut and finished in third place.