By Dr. Tony Parker, World Golf Hall of Fame Historian
With The Open just around the corner, we take a look back at one of the most popular wins in the history of the game. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of his solo victory in The Open in 1967 at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), we celebrate the life and the legacy of Argentina’s greatest golfer and World Golf Hall of Fame Member, Roberto De Vicenzo.
As one of the winningest professional golfers in history, De Vicenzo claimed more than 230 worldwide victories, including 45 national Open titles throughout Europe, South America and the Caribbean. He was one of the most respected gentlemen in the game, and fans adored him for his humility and generous spirit. De Vicenzo was truly a global ambassador for the game of golf.
Many people remember him for his near win at the 1968 Masters when he signed an incorrect scorecard. His playing partner, Tommy Aaron had inadvertently marked a score for 4 instead of the correct score of 3 on the 17th hole. That would have forced a playoff with eventual winner Bob Goalby. De Vicenzo afterwards made his most-often quoted statement, “. . .What a stupid I am . . .never have I ever done such a thing.”
However, it was the 1967 Open that was the crowning moment of his illustrious career. De Vicenzo had come close so many times before that the fans almost willed his win at Hoylake. In his first Open Championship at Muirfield in 1948 and again at Royal St. George’s in 1949 he finished third. In 1950, he came in second place at Royal Troon. During De Vicenzo’s 20 appearances at The Open, he would finish in the top-10 eleven times and in third place no less than six times.
Hoylake would be different. Going against a field that included a number of past Open champions, such as five-time winner Peter Thomson, Gary Player, and defending champion Jack Nicklaus, De Vicenzo never faltered. By the third round, he had a two-shot lead over Player and a three-shot lead over Nicklaus.
De Vicenzo was quoted as saying the night before the final round, “I think maybe I win this time.” A friend told him that everyone would be happy if he did, to which he replied, “Sure… except man who finish second.”
Though Player fell back due to trouble with his putter during the final round, Nicklaus kept the pressure on. The Golden Bear was playing well but he, too, had some difficulty holing putts. De Vicenzo played steady golf.
Nicklaus birdied the final two holes while De Vicenzo was in the group behind. It would be the 16th hole that would seal the deal for Roberto De Vicenzo. On the 529-yard, par-5 hole he hit his drive close to a small hill and an out-of-bounds line on the right side of the fairway. He hit a magnificent shot with his wood over the hill to the center of the green. His two-putt birdie on 16 would close out Nicklaus if he could finish the round with pars.
He did just that and claimed his long-awaited Claret Jug, much to the crowd’s delight.
When asked afterwards about the result of the game, Nicklaus responded, “He made the birdie on 16 and I didn’t. He won.”
Sadly, we lost Roberto De Vicenzo earlier this year. He is sorely missed, but his legacy lives on in the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum.
