The 16th Open Championship at the iconic Old Course in St Andrews descended into chaos due to a significant oversight by the organizers, who failed to secure the course for the tournament. This oversight forced competitors to navigate their rounds amidst members of the public enjoying the course, creating a scene of delightful bedlam that ultimately marred the Championship.

Early favorites included Young Tom Morris and David Strath, with Morris having narrowly beaten Strath in the previous Opens. Tragically, Morris passed away in 1875, leading many to believe it was Strath's time to shine.

As the tournament progressed, Strath found himself in a promising position with just two holes left in his second round. With Bob Martin already in the clubhouse after a score of 90, Strath needed to finish his round in 10 strokes to secure the title. However, during his approach shot on the Road Hole, Strath's patience wore thin as he clipped his ball just as the group ahead was leaving the green, hitting one of the players and stopping near the hole instead of rolling through.

Despite this setback, Strath managed to finish with a five on the hole but faltered on the final hole, taking six strokes and signing for another 90, tying with Martin at a total of 176. A play-off was scheduled, but complaints about the incident on the 17th led to a delay in ruling from the R&A committee. Frustrated by the uncertainty, Strath withdrew, leaving Martin to compete alone for the championship.

Strath returned to the Open the following year but finished fifth, marking the end of his Open career. He later traveled to Australia seeking treatment for tuberculosis, tragically passing away shortly after his arrival. Despite the heartbreak, Strath left behind a commendable legacy with seven top-10 finishes in eight attempts, including three second-place finishes.