Lot Essay
Willie Fernie (1858-1924) was one of the great St. Andrews professionals. In 1882 he was runner up in the open to Robert Ferguson and the following year, at Musselburgh, he foiled Ferguson's attempt to win the Open for a fourth successive year. Always a good player, he was runner-up in the Open four times, 1882, 1884, 1890 and 1891.