Five-time British Open winner J.H. Taylor was always a worthy and convincing champion. His smallest winning margin was four strokes and twice he won by as many as eight. Taylor was also runner-up on six occasions, including four years in a row from 1904. Compared to the elegant Harry Vardon, his friend and rival, Taylor was not a great stylist. But his short, punchy swing was extremely accurate and efficient. He had the perfect game
to cope with the windy conditions associated with British links courses.

John Henry Taylor, who was born in Northam, Devon, in March 1871, won the first British Open to be staged outside Scotland. His 1894 triumph came at St George's in Kent. After leaving school at 11, he became a caddie at Westward Ho! where, later, he worked as a greenskeeper. Later he was appointed professional/greenkeeper at Burnham in Somerset. Taylor was a founder-member of the British PGA in 1901 and was non-playing captain of Britain & Ireland's Ryder Cup winning team at Southport & Ainsdale in 1933. He died in 1963 at the grand old age of 91.

Taylor also had a great opportunity to become the first, and so far only, golfer to win six British Open titles. After three rounds of the 1914 Championship at Prestwick, he held a two-stroke lead over Vardon. But in the final round Taylor slumped to an 83, allowing Vardon to wear the crown with a 78. So instead of Taylor holding a record sixth title, the name of Vardon was written into the history books.

Taylor was a founder member of the PGA.

Taylor was not the most graceful of golfers but his technique certainly is effective.