| Lee Trevino added the 1981 MONY Tournament of Champions to his list of
victories and later that year he performed splendidly in the Ryder Cup
as the Europeans were brushed aside 18 1/2-9 1/2. Trevino won each of
his four matches,incuding a 5&3 drubbing of Scotsman Sam Torrance in
the final day singles. Thereafter followed something of a barren spell
but,just when it seemed that the glory days were over,Trevino stunned
the golfing world by winning the 1984 PGA Championship a full ten years
after he had won his last major championship. He produced some quite
magical golf and carded rounds of 69-68-67 & 69 to finish on 15
under par and four strokes clear of his nearest challengers Gary Player
and Lanny Wadkins. Trevino was 44 years of age and,not suprisingly,he
rated this as his finest hour. The next year he made a fine attempt at
defending his crown,finishing second behind Hubert Green whose six under
par total was four strokes clear of Trevino. Lee was handed the Ryder
Cup captaincy for the 1985 match at the Belfry but it was not a happy
experience as the Americans went down to their first defeat for 28
years. In 1986 he challenged in the US Open before Ray Floyd shot a
wonderful last round 66 to take the title with a one under par total.
Trevino finished three shots back in a tie for fourth place and he was
never a threat in a major again. Lee Trevino will be remembered not only
for his many accomplishments on the golf course but also as something
of a 'peoples favourite'. Always ready to share a laugh and a joke the
little man from Dallas,Texas was a huge favourite with crowds wherever
he went. (David Scranage) |