U.S. Masters winner 1973
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The classic swing of Tommy Aaron was filmed by Irv Schloss in the same year Aaron won the Masters. Perhaps the most personal aspect of Aaron's swing was his preference for a fairly narrow stance. A narrow base at the start will result in a higher rather than wider swing circle. For Aaron, it had no negative "knock-on" effect on his balance or centering, and Aaron ended his swing in a perfect "high" finish.
TWO STORIES
The 1968 Masters
The tragedy- story 1
It was only in a recent interview that Tommy Aaron would tell the full story of what happened in 1968, in what was probably the most tragic event in the Master's history.
Aaron told of how, after incorrectly writing a 4 on De Vicenzo`s scorecard instead of the actual 3, he was unable to correct the blunder before he saw it on the final leaderboard.
On realizing it was too late Aaron then had the task of immediately informing De Vicenzo.
He still remembers the discussion like it was yesterday...
The mistake was seriously criticized by the press of the day and both Bob Goalby (The eventual winner) and Tommy Aaron, were subject to much hate mail and bad feelings after the event.
Even though Jack Nicklaus came out in defense of Aaron and said that ultimately the player is responsible for his scorecard and not the marker, Aaron was held personally responsible for the historic miscalculation.
"I work for money I need, but the other money I no care about."
Roberto De Vicenzo.
The 3 times open winner and known for being a great ball striker himself, Henry Cotton claimed "Roberto is one of the best ball strikers I have ever seen."
(Photo) Brilliant golfer, perhaps the best British player of all time. Henry Cotton in 1931.
For more on Cotton see the link below
History and fate may have restricted Roberto De Vicenzo to only one major championship (The 1967 British Open at St. Andrews) but he will be equally remembered as a wonderful character and superb golfer.
The Ecstacy of triumph-1973- story 2
"I can’t tell you the demons I fought through five years later to win a green jacket myself. Ironically, in the final round that year my playing companion, Johnny Miller, recorded an incorrect score for me on one hole. But I checked my card and caught it."
But I checked my card and caught it."Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tommy Aaron
Born February 1937 Aaron turned professional in 1960 at the age of 23 after a brilliant amateur career.
The swing in the sketch depicts the early action of Aaron as an amateur. Amateur records of the time show that he won several titles and was selected to play for the American Walker Cup team. Aaron's characteristic high finish remained the same throughout his entire career.
The story of the 1973 Masters win was told by Tommy Aaron a few years ago and went as follows:
"My win in the 1973 Masters Tournament came as quite a surprise.
My wife had been in the hospital early in the year, had surgery and developed complications, and had two or three subsequent surgeries; she was in the hospital for over a month. So I only played in two or three West Coast tournaments and then drove up to Greensboro to play the week before the Masters and played so-so and finished in the middle of the field.
When I drove to Augusta I wasn't expecting anything. I was just glad that my wife was OK. She was at home resting - the only Masters she's ever missed - so I was there on my own, renting a condo and playing golf.
I didn't do much of anything in the practice rounds. But Thursday as I was warming up, as so often happens, I started feeling my swing. I shot 68 and all of a sudden was leading the Masters after the first round."
"I struggled in the middle rounds, shooting 73-74, but was still in it, only four behind Peter Oosterhuis.
(Photo)Oosterhuis played on the European circuit from 1969 to 1974, winning 10 tournaments and taking the Harry Vardon Trophy for heading the Order of Merit for four consecutive seasons from 1971 to 1974. For an interesting biography and sad story click the link below.
And then I was on the range getting ready for the final round and my swing got back some of the fluidness and freedom I had in the first round. I hit everything right toward the target and birdied 1, 2, and 3. I thought, `Heck, I might be back in the tournament.'
When I birdied 8 and went out in 32 it put me in a position where, boy, if I had ever had a chance to win the Masters, it could happen with a good back nine.
Well, I bogeyed 10 with a three-putt and made bogey on 11 after a no-good iron shot and a pretty indifferent chip.
But I came back with a birdie at 13 and a good up-and-down birdie from behind the green on 15. I parred in and just waited to see if J.C. Snead could catch me. J.C. was one stroke behind and made a great par on 17 and then two-putted 18 from 30 feet."
(photo)Runner-up J.C. Snead and champion Tommy Aaron.