Bill Rogers won his only major championship, four strokes ahead of runner-up Bernhard Langer.

[2] The Open returned to Royal St. George's for the first time since 1949, making it a new venue for all; no former champions finished in the top ten.

[3] Thursday, 16 July 1981 Friday, 17 July 1981 Amateurs: Godwin (+6), Evans (+8), Sutton (+8), Chapman (+10), Keppler (+10), Walton (+10), Young (+10), Brand (+12), R. Mitchell (+12), Sherborne (+12), Ploujoux (+14), Thomas (+14), Blakeman (+15), Planchin (+15), Seamer (+15), Ling (+17), C. Mitchell (+18), Pook (+19), Ambridge (+20), Heib (+22), Lawrence (+23), Hall (+24), Sviland (+24).

Saturday, 18 July 1981 Amateurs: Godwin (+8), Sutton (+11), Keppler (+13), Evans (+15), Young (+15), Chapman (+16), Walton (+16).

Sunday, 19 July 1981 Amateurs: Sutton (+15), Godwin (+19)Source:[4]