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The next few years saw Hale performing with the consistency that had
come to be expected from him but he did not seriously challenge for
another major until his victory in the 1979 US Open at Inverness. In
between times he enjoyed success at the Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open
and Florida Citrus Open in 1976 and the Atlanta Classic,Colgate Hall of
Fame Golf Classic and San Antonio Texas Open the following year. Irwin
opened that '79 US Open with rounds of 74 and 68 followed by a 67 on the
third day to put himself three strokes clear of his nearest challenger
Tom Weiskopf. His disappointing final round 75 included a double
bogey,bogey finish but as those around him struggled he held on for a
two shot victory at level par to take his second US Open title.
Hale
later admitted that he had been "choking from the first tee" and it
certainly showed on the back nine where,after reaching the turn six
strokes clear,he was particularly wayward off the tee. Hale continued
where he had left off in the 1975 Ryder Cup with fine performances in
both the '77 and '79 matches. In 1977 he partnered Lanny Wadkins and Lou
Graham to victories before being defeated by Brian Barnes in the
singles as the Americans triumphed 12-7. Two years later Hale notched a
further three points from four,including a 7&6 thrashing that he and
Tom Kite handed out to Ken Brown and Des Smyth,in a comfortable 17-11
success. (David Scranage)
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