James Ferdinand Douglas Paxton (24 December 1830 – 5 August 1891) was a Scottish professional golfer who played in the mid-19th century. Paxton placed tenth in the 1863 Open Championship.[1]

James Paxton
Personal information
Full nameJames Ferdinand Douglas Paxton
Born24 December 1830
Inveresk, Scotland
Died5 August 1891 (aged 60)
Eastbourne, Sussex
Sporting nationality Scotland
Career
StatusProfessional
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenDNP
The Open Championship10th: 1863

Early life

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Paxton was born in Scotland in 1830 to James Paxton and Margaret Currie.[2]

Golf career

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1863 Open Championship

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The 1863 Open Championship was the fourth Open Championship and was again held at Prestwick Golf Club. Eight professionals and six amateurs contested the event in wet and windy weather, with Willie Park, Sr. winning the championship for the second time, by two shots from Tom Morris, Sr.[3] Paxton had steady rounds of 65-65-66=196 and finished in tenth place.[1]

Death

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Paxton was employed by the golf club in Eastbourne, Sussex. He struggled with alcoholism and died by suicide after overdosing on laudanum.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Brenner, Morgan G. (2009). The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008. Vol. 1. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  2. ^ Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564–1950
  3. ^ "The Open - 4th Open - Prestwick 1863". Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  4. ^ "Suicide by Poisoning". Eastbourne Chronicle. 8 August 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Death". Golf. 14 August 1891. p. 5. Retrieved 11 April 2024.