Had a fair amount of fun listening to this pod, as 1995 was right in the prime memory of my youth and distinctively remember watching each one.
@KVV a couple of additive points from St Andrews. First, the Constatino Rocca putt was memorable for so many reasons, but it’s also one of the best Brent Musburger oral orgasms on air you’ll ever hear, simply amazing. Also, the Jack Nicklaus 10 on 14 was caught on video, and after the 4th shot out of Hell Bunker, Jack straight up chucks his club about 20 yards, one of the rare times Jack throwing a club was caught on video.
Also, Bill Glasson looked more like a pro wrestler than golfer
I was 21 and worked the scoreboard at the 15th green for the R&A that year. Followed Rocca/Campbell in on Sunday. Was inside the ropes directly behind w/ an unobstructed view of Rocca when he made that putt. What a fucking scene.
Also, everyday Daly walked off the 15th green he would walk behind the 16th tee and grab a Diet Coke and a muffin. He’d consume both and fire up a dart before he left the tee each time.
Also, on Friday of that Open, my coworkers told me to follow Arnold Palmer in since it was his last Open and I was the only American working the scoreboards that week.
I was once again inside the ropes and within 30 feet of Palmer when he crossed the Swilcan Bridge. Grown men were crying when he turned and took his visor off. I was very close to the photographer that took this photo.
This takes me back to my last semester of college. My last class of the week was a 90 minute Modern Physics lecture and it was awesome. My pre-class routine made it even better: I would roll and smoke a ciggy out on the quad (s/o American Spirit and Zig-Zag) and then hit up the vending machine for a 20 oz Pepsi and a 2 pack of Pop-Tarts. All the nicotine, all the sugar, all the special relativity. 10/10. Big John and I peaked in quite different forums but damn if he isn’t relatable.
You wouldn’t believe the lines Daly was taking off the tee, especially on 16. He was aiming 20-30 yards OB and hit driver over the grandstands and hooking it back into the fairway. You could hear people mutter and then shriek as he aimed at them and smashed it over their heads.
I’ve always regarded him as one of the biggest “What if’s” in golf. Like, what if he could have gotten a handle on the demons? Dude had that talent to win more than 2 majors. He was doing stuff nobody was doing at the time. And, everyone remembers how long he was, but his short game was so underrated.
Awesome pod. Props to the Masters and R&A for showing the entire final round coverage on Youtube.
As it happens, just like in 1995 when JD won, there was also a streaker on the 72nd hole of the 2000 Open at St. Andrews. I remember this vividly because I was there. I was only twelve, and I attended all four days of the tournament with my grandpa. We were in the stands behind the 18th green the entire final round. If I remember correctly, the streaker ran out from the gallery after Tiger his second on the green. She ran through the Valley of Sin and danced around the flag. There was a lot of hooting and hollering from the gallery, but I don’t remember anyone booing.
@KVV starting the michael campbell helicopter story with an attempt at an australian accent, quickly turning scottish, then just vanishing was soooooo good.
