Lee Trevino

Lee Trevino is a folk hero. He came from the humblest background and, although he played golf during his service in the marines, he started as a hustler playing with one club, a 3-iron. He is reputed to have said of this time: "Pressure is when you are playing for $10 and you only have $3 in your pocket". He started playing full time on the US Tour in 1967 when he was named "Rookie of the Year". In 1968 he astonished the world by winning the US Open, beating Jack Nicklaus by four shots and breaking 70 in every round, the first time this had been done. He won the Open, Canadian Open and US Open in 1971, all within the space of a memorable 21 days, and the USPGA title in 1974 and 1984. His second Open title came in 1972 at Muirfield when he shattered the British champion Tony Jacklin by chipping in twice from off the green and holing a bunker shot. "God," remarked Trevino, "is Mexican". Trevino was known for his constant good humour and wisecracks, which at times could be distracting to the players he was paired with. One British professional asked not to be paired with him and when Tony Jacklin asked whether their match at Wentworth could be played with a degree of silence, Trevino replied, "Sure, you don't have to say a word - you just have to listen". The only major title that eluded him was the Masters because his game, with a pronounced fade, did not really suit the course at Augusta. Trevino has continued playing on the Seniors Tour with great success and his talents as a communicator are now heard on television.