At the 2008 British Open Golf Championship, rank outsider Greg Norman came close to a sensational victory that would have made him the oldest player ever to win a major. Whilst Norman's run at the record set by Julius Boros at the 1968 PGA Championship did not succeed and eventually floundered, it reminded sports fans that age and experience can sometimes prevail over strength and youth in the world of professional sport.
Here's a look back at some of the oldest players to win some of sport's most prestigious tournaments:
Julius Boros – 1968 PGA Championship, Age: 48
Julius Boros entered the 1968 PGA Championship during an unusual late-career peak in form, which had taken him to 3 PGA Tour titles the previous season. However, at age 48, it was generally thought that Boros' best days were behind him, and few rated his chances of winning the year's final major at the Pecan Valley Country Club very highly.
Boros had a different opinion on the matter, and over the course of 4 rounds in the sweltering Texan heat, the 48 year old re-wrote the history books with a masterful performance. The title was decided at the final hole, where Boros took the title from Arnold Palmer by holding his nerve and putting a long chip within 2 feet of the cup.
Boros duly sank the ensuing putt, becoming the oldest major winner in history.
Martina Navratilova – 2003 Australian Open, Age: 46
Martina Navratilova was no stranger to record breaking feats by the time she entered the 2003 Australian Open tournament. The former world number one held the record for most singles titles in the open era (176), most doubles titles (177), and most singles titles at the Wimbledon Open Championships (9).
Navratilova had one more record up her sleeve. The Czech born player entered the 2003 Australian Open as the playing partner of Leander Paes in the mixed doubles tournament, and went on to reach her first Grand Slam final in eight years. Navratilova and her partner defeated Todd Woodbridge and Eleni Daniilidou by straight sets in the final, as Navratilova broke the record for the oldest Grand Slam winner, set by Norman Brookes at the 1924 Australian Open.
Peter Simple – 1853 Grand National, Age: 15
Not all the great sporting champions are human. National hunt racing is famous for the long careers its racehorses enjoy, with many starting off as 4 year olds in hurdles races and retiring at the age of 11 or 12 as seasoned steeplechase campaigners.
The oldest horse ever to win national hunt racing's toughest, most dangerous race was Peter Simple. Peter Simple already had one Grand National title when he travelled to the 1853 Grand National, having won the race in 1849.
Nobody gave the grizzled veteran a chance over the gruelling fences of Aintree, yet Peter Simple showed the spirit for which national hunt champions are renowned, winning the race for the second time and setting a record for oldest Grand National champion that's likely to stand the test of time.
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