In addition to his three Open Championship titles, Ferguson was especially noted for his putting, not only on the green but off.

Ferguson's home town of Musselburgh was one of the three venues in the Open Championship rotation.

He sometimes partnered with fellow Musselburgh top player Willie Park Sr., a four-time Open champion, in stakes matches, facing opponents such as the father-and-son team of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, of St. Andrews, between the mid-1860s and mid-1870s.

He also faced Young Tom Morris in singles play during this era.

[3] His playing career was cut short by a bout of typhoid, and he became the custodian of the Links at Musselburgh.