The world’s oldest major has thrown up some miracles and meltdowns. And is it time for a reappraisal of Jean van de Velde?
Allan Robertson was the champion golfer of his age, his status in the 1840s and 1850s unofficial but widely accepted. Top players from all across Scotland came to take a swing at the king, in challenge matches funded by wealthy lairds and businessmen, but nobody beat him in singles. When jaundice did for him in 1859, the champion-golfer void needed to be filled.
Ben Hogan crosses a small bridge on his way to the first green of the Burnside course for his last practice session before the 1953 Open.Roberto De Vicenzo is mainly remembered these days for the scorecard snafu that cost him a playoff place at the 1968 Masters: “What a stupid I am!” So by way of balance, here’s his feelgood story.
Jack Nicklaus embraces Doug Sanders after beating him in their 18-hole play-off at St Andrews in 1970.It’s fair to say Doug Sanders was jittery coming down the stretch at St Andrews in 1970. On the 17th tee, he looked down the fairway 13 times before pulling out of his drive. He finally let fly after another eight glances. Then he took 36 seconds to pull the trigger on his approach, taking 16 nervous peeks towards the green. So perhaps the most famous missed putt of all time had been coming.
Jean van de Velde wades into Barry Burn by the 18th green at Carnoustie after his 3rd shot went astray in 1999.We all remember what happened to the poor man on the 72nd at Carnoustie. There’s no need to revisit his grandstand-bothering, trouser-rolling pain shot by injudicious shot. But let’s get it straight. He might have ballsed things up royally, but the one thing Jean van de Velde did not do was bottle it.
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