INTRO From The Sports Time Traveler™
Welcome, this is Len Ferman, The Sports Time Traveler, bringing you the excitement of great sporting events from the past as if they’re happening now.
Today we have a special episode about the 1973 British Open.
This is a tournament I don’t remember watching as a kid and I have never known much about.
I immensely enjoyed the experience of following this tournament day by day in the newspaper archives over the past week
And as you’re about to hear it unfolds in a Hollywood type story.
And now here is the article.
1973 British Open - The Game's Greatest Natural Talent
TROON, SCOTLAND - July 15, 1973
I’m finishing up my 2nd virtual trip to Scotland in a week. I came here to the Troon Golf Club, exactly 50 years ago, to experience the 1973 British Open. This is a tournament I knew little about, so I have been eagerly looking forward to see how it unfolded here in 1973.
11 years ago on this course, in 1962, Arnold Palmer set the all-time British Open record score of 276. Sports Illustrated wrote about that performance, “Everybody departed saying that Palmer was God and Troon was a beast.”
Now Palmer is back, but at age 43, he is not one of the favorites.
The Favorites to Win
Some oddsmakers picked Lee Trevino to win his 3rd consecutive British Open.
33 year old Jack Nicklaus, very much in his prime, was the favorite to win among most others. Nicklaus has captured 4 majors in the last 3 years, and is the man to beat in every major.
26 year old Johnny Miller, who recently stunned the golf world with a major championship record final round of 63 to win last month’s U.S. Open, was another obvious favorite.
And there is also 30 year old Tom Weiskopf. Weiskopf may hold the dubious title of best player in the game to never have won a major.
The Pre-Tournament Odds
Here is how the London Sunday Mirror called the odds to win the 1973 British Open a few days before the start of the tournament:
Jack Nicklaus, USA 4 to 1
Lee Trevino, USA 6 to 1
Tom Weiskopf, USA 10 to 1
Johnny Miller, USA 14 to 1
Bruce Crampton, Australia 14 to 1
Gary Player, South Africa 14 to 1
And Then There’s Chi Chi…
Another player who was not considered among the top favorites, but is perhaps the most entertaining player in the game, is Chi Chi Rodriguez.
One oddsmaker put Chi Chi at 66 - 1 to which Chi Chi took offense saying in the Miami Herald, “Who do they think I am, Jose Feliciano (a famous singer of this time).”
Any way you look at it, the Open was expected to be dominated by Americans.
The Oldest Man in the Field
The domination however wasn’t expected to extend to the oldest man in the field, who was also an American.
Gene Sarazen, at age 71, was competing in the British Open at Troon exactly 50 years after he competed here in 1923. In that year he failed to qualify for the “competition proper” (in those days qualifying rounds were played immediately prior to the official opening of the tournament).
In the 1st round this week, Sarazen did something he hadn’t done in 40 years.
He hit a hole-in-one.
Sarazen knocked it in the cup at the famous “postage stamp” hole, the 126 yard par 3 8th. The hole derives its name from it’s tiny green.
Gene was quoted in the Liverpool Daily Post saying, “It was the biggest thrill of my life. I’m delighted it’s been recorded on film. And I’m going to take the film with me when I go up to see (Walter) Hagen, (Bobby) Jones and (Tommy) Armour, otherwise they are not going to believe me.”
Hagen, Jones and Armour also wouldn’t believe that Sarazen shot a 1 under par 35 on the front 9. The London Daily Telegraph wrote, “Indeed, for a few priceless moments the leaderboards actually had Sarazen’s name them.”
ROUND 1 - July 11, 1973
Gene Sarazen, of the USA, was unable to dial back the magic on the back 9 and finished with a 79. Although, that was still good enough to put him ahead of 34 of the best golfers in the world.
While Sarazen was deep in the middle of the field, several of his American counterparts dominated the top of the leaderboard.
The best score of the day was posted by Tom Weiskopf with a 4 under 68. Weiskopf benefited from a late tee time for the wind abated in the afternoon.
Right behind Weiskopf were 2 other Americans at 69 - Jack Nicklaus and Bert Yancey. And Johnny Miller was just 1 shot further back at 70.
In a tie for 10th place at even par 72, was Arnold Palmer, and 66 - 1 shot Chi Chi Rodriguez.
Playing early in the day, in heavy winds, Lee Trevino, could only manage a 75. A low ball hitter, it was thought that Trevino would have the advantage in the wind. But his low balls were subject to the whims of all the little bumps on the fairways. Trevino told the London Daily Telegraph, “Unless the wind changes, I have no chance.”
ROUND 2 - July 12, 1973
The wind was not a factor in round 2. And a light rain made the greens easier.
Weiskopf continued to play at a torrid pace. Michael Williams of the London Daily Telegraph followed Tom Weiskopf and reported, “No one, not even Sam Snead at his best, has possessed a slower rhythm with such fantastic clubhead speed at impact. He appears to be enjoying a leisurely practice swing when he is delivering the ball the most almighty wallop.”
Weiskopf shot a 5 under 67 to take a 3 shot lead and a 2 round score of 135. Williams wrote, “His 67 yesterday was near perfection.”
Johnny Miller didn’t get his 1st birdie until the 7th hole, but played magnificent after that. His round of 68 put him in a tie for 2nd with American Bert Yancey.
And looming 1 shot further back was Jack Nicklaus who followed up his opening round 69 with a 70.
No one else was under 140.
Chi Chi was in a tie for 12th at 145.
Trevino made the cut with a 73. He was at 148, and tied with Arnold Palmer after 2 rounds. However, both of them were out of contention now, 13 shots behind Tall Tom Weiskopf.
Gene Sarazen could only manage an 81 for a 2 round score of 160. He missed the cut by 7 shots.
ROUND 3 - July 13, 1973
Johnny Miller was paired with Tom Weiskopf for round 3 in the final group. Williams wrote in the London Daily Telegraph, “It was an absorbing struggle between Weiskopf and Miller. At once they became locked in close combat.”
The early advantage went to Miller who is prone to go on hot stretches and produce ridiculously low scores as he did at Oakmont 4 weeks ago. Miller birdied 6, 7 and 8 on his way to a front 9 of 32.
Weiskopf got off to a shaky start with bogeys on 1 and 3. He recovered with birdies at 5, 7 and 8.
And then came the 9th hole in which Weiskopf had a Scottish adventure. Williams described his hole, “Weiskopf hit an appalling duck hook off the 9th tee. He had to drop under penalty, retired onto a disused tee, knocked a 1 iron short and took 6.”
This gave Weiskopf a 37 for the front 9 and suddenly his 3 shot lead at the start of the round was now a 2 stroke deficit to the U.S. Open champion Johnny Miller.
But Weiskopf remained unfazed by his wayward tee shot on 9 and took out his driver on 10 and blasted it long and straight to restore his confidence. He went on to shoot a 34 on the back 9.
Miller, meanwhile, struggled with his putter and ballooned to a 37 on the back 9.
The lead changed hands again and Weiskopf finished the round with a 1 shot lead.
The pair were now all alone, well ahead of the field.
Nicklaus, reportedly suffering with a strained back, could only manage 76 and dropped well back into a tie for 8th at 215, leaving him 9 shots behind Weiskopf.
Leading Scorers after Round 3
Tom Weiskopf, USA 206
Johnny Miller, USA 207
Bert Yancey, USA 211
B.W. Barnes, England 213
Neil Coles, England 213
Lanny Wadkins, USA 214
Christy O’Connor, Ireland 215
Jack Nicklaus, USA 215
==========================
13th place tie - Arnold Palmer and Chi Chi Rodriguez 218
ROUND 4 - July 14, 1973
Jack Nicklaus starting 9 shots behind the leader, opened the final round with a birdie at the 1st and another at the 3rd. Before Weiskopf had teed off Jack was now 7 shots behind and seemingly ready to mount a Nicklaus charge.
Britain’s Neil Coles, a 38 year old top European professional, who rarely plays in America, also made a charge. Starting 7 shots back he birdied 2, 4 and 5 to pull within 4 shots of the lead.
Weiskopf got off to a good start. He parred 1 and 2 and birdied 3. Miller bogeyed the 2nd, missing a short putt.
Then on the 3rd hole, after both players hit brilliant approach shots, Weiskopf drained his 20 foot birdie putt, while Miller on the the same line as Weiskopf missed his slightly shorter birdie.
Weiskopf now led by 3 after 3 holes.
The gap remained 3 shots after the leaders finished the front 9.
Leaderboard After Weiskopf and Miller Finished the 9th
Weiskopf -12
Miller - 9
Coles - 7
Nicklaus - 7
Yancey - 7
The Back 9
Several holes ahead of the leaders, Nicklaus chipped in on the 13th hole to go to 8 under for the tournament. He was now just 4 shots off the lead.
The gap between Weiskopf and Miller remained at 3 when they arrived at the 13th. Weiskopf hit a wayward 2nd shot and then missed a 10 foot par putt to drop a stroke.
Weiskopf’s lead was now down to 2 over Miller and 4 over Nicklaus and Coles.
Leaderboard with 5 holes to play for Weiskopf and Miller
Weiskopf - 12
Miller - 10
Nicklaus - 8
Coles - 8
Yancey - 6
Weiskopf came to the 14th hole needing to hit an iron shot off the tee on the par 3 hole. It was a critical moment as his last iron shot on 13 had sailed miserably to the right.
He struck a great shot. Although he missed the birdie putt he had steadied his ship and retained a 2 shot lead with just 4 to play.
Nicklaus Takes the Clubhouse Lead
Up ahead, Jack Nicklaus was the first of the leaders to reach the final hole. He drained a putt for a final round of 65, a course record, and one of the greatest rounds in British Open history.
This made Nicklaus the clubhouse leader at - 8.
Coles Surpasses Nicklaus
Next came Neil Coles to the final hole. He was tied with Nicklaus at - 8. Neil had a 6 foot putt in front of him. If he made it he would be the clubhouse leader moving a shot of ahead of the legendary Nicklaus.
Coles, who looks more like Albert Einstein than a top golfer, with his wild graying hair, drained the putt for a final round of 66, capping the best round of golf in his life.
Coles was now the clubhouse leader at 9 under.
The Roar Heard Around the Course
The roar of the crowd for Coles birdie at 18 was so enormous that back on the 15th green Johnny Miller was rattled while he was standing over a 2 foot par putt. Miller faltered. He missed the 2 footer, giving Weiskopf, who was still at 12 under par, a 3 shot lead with 3 to play.
Miller’s missed putt also vaulted Coles into a 2nd place tie with the U.S. Open champ.
Now with a 3 shot lead, it was elementary for Weiskopf, who was playing steady after his mishit on 13. He parred 14 through 17. When he reached 18, he hit his 2nd shot safely onto the green and that wrapped up his 1st major championship with 2 putts.
When he sank his final putt he tied Arnold Palmer’s British Open record of 276.
Final Leaderboard
Weiskopf - 12
Miller - 9
Coles - 9
Nicklaus - 8
Yancey - 7
All others at least 5 shots further back
4 of the top 5 players were Americans.
Lee Trevino, with a final round 68, finished in a tie for 10th, 13 shots behind Weiskopf
Arnold Palmer and Gary Player tied for 14th, 14 shots behind Weiskopf.
Chi Chi finished 29th with a closing 75, 17 behind Weiskopf.
The Key to Weiskopf’s Win
Weiskopf’s victory might just be the result of an act of sportsmanship he displayed 3 years earlier. In the 3rd round of the 1970 U.S. Open, Weiskopf played himself completely out of the tournament with a 78. That left him 16 shots behind the leader, Britain’s Tony Jacklin.
Tony Jacklin finished round 3 of that 1970 U.S Open with a 4 shot lead.
Tom Weiskopf, who was known as a hot headed player, frequently displaying visible anger on the golf course, showed another side to him when he left a note inside Jacklin’s locker on the morning of the final round.
As reported in the London Sunday Mirror today, that note delivered 3 years ago simply read, “stay cool.”
The London Daily Telegraph indicated that the note read one word, “tempo.”
Either way, Jacklin acknowledged that it was incredibly helpful for him that day in 1970.
Jacklin stayed cool and shot his 3rd consecutive round of 70 to win the 1970 U.S. Open by 7 shots.
It was a magnificent win for Jacklin. Following his British Open victory in 1969, he was now considered one of the game’s top players, especially after defeating the entire big 3 of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus by over 20 shots.
Jacklin Repays the Favor
Flash forward to this week and Tony Jacklin decided to repay the favor.
Tony was 14 shots back after the 3rd round, here at Troon, and out of contention to win. Bill Clark of the London Sunday Mirror reported today that Jacklin placed a phone call to Weiskopf on the morning of the final round yesterday.
Tony told Tom, “Keep your head and swing it slowly,” according to the Sunday Mirror.
According to the Daily Telepraph, Jacklin told Weiskopf, “Play 1 shot at a time and be patient.”
Whatever version Jacklin said to Weiskopf, Tom acknowledged after the round that Jacklin’s advice had been instrumental at the most critical time of the final round, when Weiskopf had hit the atrocious approach shot into the 13th hole and bogeyed it.
Weiskopf Uses Jacklin’s Advice at the Most Critical Moment
Weiskopf later said, “I remembered Tony’s words when I took my only bogey in the last round. I said to myself, you’ve made a mistake Tom, now forget it, and swing easy.”
Nicklaus’ Advice Helps Too
Weiskopf also received some advice before the final round from fellow Ohio State alumnus Jack Nicklaus.
Tom said that Jack told him before the round, “Don’t play Johnny (Miller), play the course. And that’s what I did.”
After the final round, Nicklaus told Fred Tupper of the New York Times that Weiskopf, “has more natural talent and more shots than anybody in the game today.”
And that is how the game’s greatest natural talent won the 1973 British Open.
POSTSCRIPT From The Sports Time Traveler™
After the 1973 British Open a highlights film of the tournament was produced.
Click on this link below to watch the highlights of the 1973 British Open
LINK: 1973 British Open Highlights
GUIDE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO:
At the 1:20 mark on the video watch 71 year old Gene Sarazen’s hole-in-one in the 1st round. Sarazen was a winner of 7 major championships, the 1st of which was the 1922 U.S. Open 51 years earlier. Sarazen had 1st played at Troon exactly 50 years ago.
At the 19:25 mark see Jack Nicklaus in the most uncharacteristic outfit you’ll ever see him wear, hit a brilliant approach shot during the 3rd round.
At 34:20, Nicklaus opens the final round, wearing more Nicklaus type attire, with a birdie at the 1st hole.
At 35:05 Nicklaus birdies the 2nd hole of the final round. He is now 7 shots behind Weiskopf who has yet to start play.
At 37:00 Nicklaus chips in on the 13th to go 8 under for the tournament. At this point Nicklaus is 4 shots off the lead.
At 37:35 Nicklaus putts on the 18th green. He drains it for a final round of 65, a course record, and one of the greatest rounds in British Open history.
At 38:05 watch Neil Coles putt out for birdie, for his brilliant round of 66, to take the clubhouse lead from Nicklaus at 9 under, capping the best round of his life and thrilling the crowd.
At 39:40 Miller misses a short putt on the 2nd to fall 2 behind Weiskopf after 2 holes.
At 41:10 - after both players hit brilliant approach shots into the 3rd hole, Weiskopf drains his 20 foot birdie putt, while Miller, on the the same line as Weiskopf, misses his birdie. Weiskopf leads by 3 after 3.
At 43:00 Weiskopf misses a short putt and falls back to 11 under, just 2 shots ahead of Miller after 4 holes.
At 44:00 Weiskopf sinks a 20 footer for a birdie at 6 to get back to 12 under and take a 3 shot lead over Miller.
At 45:35, Weiskopf has missed the green far to the right of the 13th hole. He hits a fine pitch shot from the high rough but it still leaves him over 10 feet short of the hole and he takes a bogey. Miller is now just 2 shots back with 5 to play.
At 46:00 you can see the leaderboard with Weiskopf ahead by 2 after 67 holes in the tournament. He then hits a brilliant tee shot on the par 3 14th. He misses the putt, but maintains his 2 shot lead with 4 to play and restores his confidence.
At 46:30, Miller is on the 15th green. He is rattled by the roar of the crowd for Coles final birdie putt up at 18, and Miller misses the 2 footer to fall 3 shots back with 3 to play. The tournament is effectively over as Weiskopf is playing steady.
At 47:05 Weiskopf calmly hits his approach shot safely onto the green at 18 to end any doubt about his 3 shot advantage.
At 48:58, Weiskopf sinks the final putt to tie the British Open record of 276 set by Arnold Palmer.
At 50:40 Weiskopf receives the championship trophy and delivers a short, gracious speech.
Share this post