Thursday, Jun. 18, 2009
Lee Trevino vs. Jack Nicklaus (1971)
Before Trevino, golf's most talented class clown, and Nicklaus, the deadly serious victory machine, started their playoff at the Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia, the tension choked at the first tee. Nicklaus sat under a tree with his head down. Super Mex pulled out a toy snake and tossed it at Nicklaus, sending the legend scrambling like a frightened fifth grader. "I need all the help I can get," Trevino shouted. Everyone had a good chuckle, but Trevino laughed loudest at the end: he matched Nicklaus birdie for birdie, and wound up winning by three strokes. "I am a lucky dog," Trevino said afterward. "You gotta be lucky to beat Jack Nicklaus because he's the greatest golfer to ever hold a club."