Tom Weiskopf: Tributes paid to 1973 Open champion

Weiskopf, who had been battling pancreatic cancer, passed away at his home in Montana on Saturday. 

The Ohio-born pro won 16 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1973 Open Championship at Royal Troon. He carded a final round of 70 to win by three shots from Neil Coles and Johnny Miller.

That was Weiskopf’s only major victory, although he did finish runner-up in The Masters on four occasions. He was also second in the 1976 US Open at the Atlanta Athletic Club. 

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Weiskopf was a member of two US Ryder Cup teams, in 1973 and 1975. He qualified for the team again in 1977 but famously opted to skip the match to go hunting instead. 

In addition to having one of the most admired swings in the game, Weiskopf was also famous for his bursts of temper on the course, which earned him the nickname ‘The Towering Inferno’. 

As his playing career wound down, he turned his attentions to golf course design, forming a formidable partnership with Jay Morrish before setting up on his own.

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He was involved in the design or re-design of more than 40 courses, including the acclaimed course…