British Open: Ranking the 25 most dominant performances of all time
By Bill Felber
17. Tom Weiskopf, 1973, -2.90
By July of 1973, Weiskopf was an eight-time tour winner enjoying the best season of his career. He came in having already won at Colonial, Kemper and Philadelphia, and two weeks later would add the Canadian Open title.
Weiskopf was a younger version of Jack Nicklaus, both having graduated from Ohio State before developing profiles as consistent tour challengers. So it was not surprising when Weiskopf and Nicklaus emerged as the chief contenders for the 1973 British Open title.
Weiskopf’s 68 gave him a one-stroke lead over Nicklaus and Bert Yancey. He followed with a 67 on Friday, opening that lead to three over Yancey and Johnny Miller, Nicklaus sitting four strokes off the pace.
Miller’s 69 moved him within one entering the final round, Nicklaus still four behind. On Sunday, Weiskopf took some of the pressure off himself by converting three birdie opportunities on the first 11 holes.
Miller ended up three behind in a tie with Neil Coles. Nicklaus posted a closing 65 to wind up solo fourth.
The thing that struck observers about Weiskopf’s play that week was his stoicism. He had until that week been famous for his volatility.
"“I made very few mistakes and nothing bothered me, which was unusual,” Weiskopf said later. “I was at the top of my game. I was so confident, everything seemed in slow motion — my thinking, my preparations.”"
He credited his fellow alumni, Nicklaus, with helping him concentrate through Sunday’s head-to-head with Miller. “Whatever you do, don’t play Miller; play the course,” Weiskopf said Nicklaus told him. “And that’s what I did, concentrate and play the course.”