Jack Nicklaus Tom Watson 1977 Open Championship Duel in the Sun
The “Duel in the Sun” has gone down in folklore as the all time best head-to-head contest within a major golf championship. Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus slugged it out over the final round of the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry, arriving at the 72nd hole with Watson leading by one. He hit a perfect 1 iron tee shot down the centre of the fairway but Nicklaus blocked his Driver down the right into an awful lie near gorse bushes. Tom played first from the fairway hitting an excellent shot to within 2 feet of the hole leaving Jack in trouble. It was doubtful he could get the ball out succesfully never mind onto the green but he smashed an incredible 8 iron onto the front corner of the green. Listen for the commentator describe it as “…one of the most powerful animalistic golf shots I have ever seen.” Of course Watson was still very much in the driving seat but somehow Nicklaus dredged up the most amazing golf shot I have ever seen as he holed the putt across the green to put the pressure back on Watson. Of course as we all know Tom knocked in the short putt to win the Claret Jug but Jack’s putt really is my favourite golf shot ever and I’m thrilled to have found footage online for it.
Actually the whole video is on youtube starting here.
