Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 12, 1993 TAG: 9307120112
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ENGLEWOOD, COLO. LENGTH: Medium
Not to Tom Weiskopf.
Nicklaus sank a 12-foot birdie putt at the 16th hole to inch ahead of Weiskopf, and he maintained his one-stroke advantage to the 18th. When Nicklaus hit the green, Weiskopf knew his bid for victory was over.
"Who can tell me when Jack Nicklaus has ever three-putted to lose a major championship or missed a putt under pressure?" Weiskopf said. "The guy is the greatest putter under pressure of all time, bar none."
Nicklaus got his par, making a 2 1/2-footer to earn his first title since winning this event two years ago.
Asked if he remembered three-putting to lose a tournament, Nicklaus paused and said, "I don't recall one. I've blown a few tournaments, but I don't think I've blown too many of them that way. Actually, I didn't three-putt a green all week. I three-putted once or twice from the fringe, but not from on the green."
Nicklaus, 53, finished with a 1-under-par 70 for a 72-hole total of 6-under 278. Weiskopf, who closed with a 67, wound up at 279. Kermit Zarley was third, another stroke back, and Dale Douglass tied Chi Chi Rodriguez at 281.
Afterward, Nicklaus disclosed he has been battling a shoulder injury that threatened to end his season, and possibly his competitive career.
"I haven't been able to lift my arm for six months," Nicklaus said, suspecting he may have a torn rotator cuff.
"But it didn't hurt me all week. It's funny - I started swinging better and the hurt went away."
Nicklaus, the winner of the U.S. Senior Open, will head for the British Open today.
Nicklaus, who entered the final round leading Douglass by one shot and Weiskopf by four, saw his advantage dissipate in the face of Weiskopf's five birdies on the first eight holes.
Weiskopf's 5-under 30 on the front nine tied a Senior Open record.
Nicklaus, however, drew back into a tie for the lead with a two-foot birdie putt at the seventh hole.
While Douglass slipped back with bogeys at the 10th and 12th holes, Nicklaus and Weiskopf, both former Ohio State University golfers, stayed within a stroke of each other.
Weiskopf, a two-time runner-up to Nicklaus in the Masters who continually has played in Nicklaus' shadow, reclaimed the lead at No. 13 with his sixth birdie of the day. But he fell back into a tie when his tee shot at the par-3 15th stopped on the edge of the green and he three-putted for bogey.
Weiskopf failed to take advantage of a birdie opportunity at the par-5 17th hole when his tee shot sailed into the right rough and his second shot to the island green was partially blocked by trees. He had to lay up and settle for par.
Nicklaus then went ahead, hitting an 8-iron 12 feet behind the hole at No. 16 and making the putt.
"I gave it the best run I possibly could," Weiskopf said. "I played the best four rounds of golf I have ever played under these types of conditions. I know in my mind no one played better than I did from tee to green. I just didn't putt as well as some of the other guys. Jack was just one stroke better than I was. Sure, I'm disappointed, but this has happened to me before."
by CNB