Following the 1961 Open, extensive alterations and additions were made to the clubhouse, and "spectator walkways" were carved out on the course by re-siting tees and re-fashioning holes. It was the perfect setting for Thomson's historic fifth victory of 1965.

In what was the last of the three-day Championships, the 35-year-old Australian overcame the strongest of international fields which included the defending champion Tony Lema, Palmer, Player, Nicklaus, de Vicenzo, plus fellow-countrymen Nagle and Devlin, who was to return the next year and win the Carling World title.

It was a triumph for the shot-maker over the power game. Thomson - and there was none better at it - steered his way round the 72 holes, "playing the course", scorning an opening 74 against Lema's 68 to win eventually by two shots from Huggett and O'Connor. Two behind Lema and Devlin (140) at halfway, he went one in front with a round to go, despite a 5-5-5 start to his third round of 72.

There was probably never such a log-jam as there was on that Friday afternoon when they lined up for the last round. There was Thomson on 214, Lema and Devlin on 215, Palmer, O'Connor and de Vicenzo on 216, Nagle and Huggett on 217. All in all, 13 players had the chance to win.

Thomson won it with his second shot to the 510 yards 17th which hit the flag at a time when he was just a stroke ahead. Afterwards, with the best in the world defeated and a fifth Open title in the record books, Peter described it as "my greatest win".