The 1949 Open Championship was the 78th Open Championship, held 6–9 July at Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich, England. Bobby Locke of South Africa won the first of his four Open titles in a 36-hole Saturday playoff, 12 strokes ahead of runner-up Harry Bradshaw of Ireland. It was the first playoff at the Open since 1933.It was planned to play the Championship at Royal Cinque Ports but the course was flooded in early 1949 and the venue was switched to Royal St George's.