Open Greats

A hugely charismatic and popular figure, Lee Trevino is one of only seven players since World War II to have claimed back-to-back victories at The Open.

Trevino was a relative latecomer to the professional game and did not play in golf’s original Championship until the age of 29, making his debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1969.

However, ‘Supermex’ swiftly adapted to links conditions and he led by two shots heading into the final round at St Andrews the following year, before slipping back into a tie for third behind Jack Nicklaus and Doug Sanders.

Trevino was not to be denied 12 months later as he rounded off a stunning summer of success by winning The Open at Royal Birkdale.

Having won both the U.S. Open and Canadian Open in the previous three weeks, Trevino continued his golden run by edging out playing partner Lu Liang-huan in a thrilling final round.

He then retained the Claret Jug in audacious fashion at Muirfield in 1972, chipping in with remarkable regularity to snatch victory from Tony Jacklin and leave the Englishman disconsolate.

Trevino’s career was disrupted in alarming fashion in 1975 when he was struck by lightning and suffered injuries to his spine. However, although he was hampered by back problems thereafter, Trevino was still able to compete at the very highest level and he finished second to Tom Watson at The Open in 1980 before claiming his sixth and final major title at the 1984 PGA Championship, aged 44.

Even after turning 50, Trevino continued to impress at The Open, finishing tied for 25th at St Andrews in 1990 and joint-17th at Royal Birkdale the following year.

The last of his 26 appearances in the Championship – and he made the cut in 22 of the first 23 - came at the Home of Golf in 2000, 30 years after he had led through 54 holes at the same venue.

Lee Trevino’s Open record

1969 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T34

Score: 296 (75, 72, 71, 78)

1970 | St Andrews

Position: T3

Score: 285 (68, 68, 72, 77)

1971 | Royal Birkdale

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 278 (69, 70, 69, 70)

1972 | Muirfield

Position: Champion Golfer of the Year

Score: 278 (71, 70, 66, 71)

1973 | Royal Troon

Position: T10

Score: 289 (75, 73, 73, 68)

1974 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T31

Score: 301 (79, 70, 78, 74)

1975 | Carnoustie

Position: T40

Score: 293 (76, 69, 73, 75)

1977 | Turnberry

Position: 4th

Score: 280 (68, 70, 72, 70)

1978 | St Andrews

Position: T29

Score: 291 (75, 72, 73, 71)

1979 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: T17

Score: 294 (71, 73, 74, 76)

1980 | Muirfield

Position: 2nd

Score: 275 (68, 67, 71, 69)

1981 | Royal St George’s

Position: T11

Score: 287 (77, 67, 70, 73)

1982 | Royal Troon

Position: T27

Score: 296 (78, 72, 71, 75)

1983 | Royal Birkdale

Position: 5th

Score: 278 (69, 66, 73, 70)

1984 | St Andrews

Position: T14

Score: 285 (70, 67, 75, 73)

1985 | Royal St George’s

Position: T20

Score: 288 (73, 76, 68, 71)

1986 | Turnberry

Position: T59

Score: 301 (80, 71, 75, 75)

1987 | Muirfield

Position: T17

Score: 286 (67, 74, 73, 72)

1988 | Royal Lytham & St Annes

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 149 (75, 74)

1989 | Royal Troon

Position: T42

Score: 288 (68, 73, 73, 74)

1990 | St Andrews

Position: T25

Score: 283 (69, 70, 73, 71)

1991 | Royal Birkdale

Position: T17

Score: 281 (71, 72, 71, 67)

1992 | Muirfield

Position: T39

Score: 287 (69, 71, 73, 74)

1994 | Turnberry

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 147 (75, 72)

1995 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 152 (75, 77)

2000 | St Andrews

Position: Missed Cut

Score: 157 (80, 77)