1977 British Open (8 of 8)

1977 British Open

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• golf

[Fairandjust]

To me, this heart-stopping match between 2 great players called 'Duel in the Sun' remains the greatest round of golf in history until today. Anyone out there disagrees?

[J700JAM]

I was in the granstand and watched the Nicklaus putt roll in, I was 14 at the time and the atmosphere was electric. Had been to Troon a few years earler to see Weiskopf lift the claret jug and have been to many more British opens since.

[112sje]

@RegionRatForever Unfortunately this film doesn't capture the sound of the fellow in the gallery who shouted "it's oreight" as the ball was on it's way

[DAsh62281]

Even when he was finishing 2nd, Nicklaus showed how much of a winner he was. The combination shot out of the gorse and made putt is unparalleled in the game.

[cain2335]

as nicklaus was lining up the put, watson's catty turned to him and said that jack wouldn't make it and that watson won. watson said "watch. he'll make it." and true enough, he did.

[RegionRatForever]

"one of the most powerful, animalistic golf shots I've ever seen"

[templedown]

wow. never knew watson hit first (second shot) on 18. just shows the incredible genius and resolve on nicklaus to fight that ball onto the green from a bad lie and then making a three! think it was the 86 open and these two were doing an interview +watching highlights of this duel. jack said all i could do was force him to make his putt. look at the look watson gives him after he makes it. are you kidding me!? great sportmanship after it was over, golf is also still just a game.

[duckwrangler]

Still the greatest head to head paring in the final round of golf in history. My favourite story of this event comes from Hubert Green who finished in third place - 10 shots behind Nicklaus. He maintains to this day that he won the golf tournament he was playing in !!!- Both Nicklaus and Watson were playing a entirely different game on another level.

[Gonzoidz]

Massive crowd. I recall watching this on TV as a child. Amazing.

[MisterEvasion]

Watson's putt from off the green made the difference. Also, his decision to go with a one iron on the 18th is something you rarely see nowadays with the pros. I am not sure exactly why the one iron went out of fashion with the top players, but I used to have one in my bag in case it came in handy for par 5 second shots or other situations, because I didn't feel comfortable using woods on the fairway.

[stevepising]

What sportsmanship Jack showed with his words at the end and walking off the 18th green with his arm round Tom, congratulating him. This must have been a heart breaking loss for Jack but still he said well played to the victor - and meant it.

We won't see his kind again.

[SwingItLikeMoe]

Tom Watson said later that he believed Jack was going to make that 50ft putt. Yeah right, lol. Such a BS'er. Did you see the stone look on Tom's face when that putt sank? That 2ft putt he had no longer felt like a tap in.The fact that Jack hacked that ball out the junk and sank a 50ft putt proved he's the greatest ever. He gave you nothing. You had to bring your A-game if you were gona beat Jack. And lets not forget the19 runner ups in Majors! That tells me there was only one guy to beat: Jack.