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Tommy Armour


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With none of the other contenders making any impression, Jose Jurado appeared to have the tournament in his grasp at the turn: 36 shots to cover the front nine meant that he could afford to play the back nine in 39 strokes and still take the honours.

With the pressure mounting, mistakes began to creep into the Argentinian's game and he started to drop shots.

By the time he reached the 17th, his cushion had all but gone and he now required to finish 5, 5, just to tie with the "Silver Scot", Armour. Jurado picked the wrong time to hit his worst drive of the week, putting his ball into the burn barely 130 yards off the tee and scrambled his way to a six. Needing a four to finish level with Armour, he missed a ten-foot putt that would have forced the play-off allowing the naturalised American to lift his third Major title.

Armour's achievement was all the more remarkable when you realise that he was handicapped by being partially blind. During the First World War, he had been badly injured by a mustard gas attack. Not only did he require a metal plate to be inserted in his head and arm, but he lost his sight totally. After a period of convalescence, he did regain vision in his right eye but remained blind in his left.


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There is an amusing anecdote told regarding Armour's success. He was notorious for slow play and for taking his time as he lined up his shots. On one occasion his caddie advised aiming for a distant pole, which transpired to be the mast of a ship in the North Sea. By the time Armour hit a perfectly executed strike, the ship had sailed far enough to ensure the shot buried itself in a greenside bunker. It didn't stop him lifting the Claret Jug!

Written by: Dave Low

Page: 12

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