"I Don't Know If I'm For Real"⛳
"I Hope This Never Ends"
Johnny Miller won eight titles and a record $353,021 in 1974. How would he follow that year up in 1975? The answer quickly materialized at the first tournament, the $150,000 Phoenix Open, where he was the defending champion. The Tour usually started out in California but the thought was that there would be better weather for all the West Coast swing if the proceedings began in Phoenix.
Miller came out in the first round at Phoenix Country Club and posted a four-under-par 67 despite a double bogey late in the round. He was tied at the top of the leader board with Leonard Thompson and John Mahaffey. It was in the second round, though, that Miller made a statement. With an eagle (his second of the tournament) and eight birdies, he posted a 10-under 61 and held a six shot lead over Mike Hill. He eagled the 1st hole, birdied the 4th with a two-foot putt and then chipped in for a birdie on the fifth hole. He followed up with birdie putts on the 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 16th, and 18th holes. His longest made birdie putt was from 15 feet at the 16th hole.
His eagle at the first hole was the result of a crisply struck one-iron second shot that ended up 15 feet from the hole.
"I had a feeling then," he told reporters, "that things could be going my way."
He tied the course record which he himself set in 1970. Miller had a knack for being able to go low once he was "feeling it" as he did at the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club where he finished with a final round 63 to win. His 63 is still tied for the lowest round shot in a U.S.Open.
He told reporters in Phoenix after his round that he expected to shoot 59 any day now.
"I've been thinking about it," he said, "and one of these days maybe I'll do it. It's always been a goal of mine to shoot in the 50s."
Miller finished with rounds of 68 and 64 to win the Phoenix Open by 14 shots. That ranks number four on the all-time list of largest margin of victory on the PGA Tour.
Maybe some people were turned off by Miller's arrogance or confidence when he worked in the television booth, but it was that attitude that allowed him the courage to go low during his playing days.
NEW THIS WEEK: Check out the 1975 Phoenix Open Mix Tape in conjunction with this week's tournament throwback story. Listen on Spotify.
How could you miss the sweet spot on this week's vintage ad?
HELP US OUT AND FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO A GOLFING FRIEND. THEY CAN SIGN UP HERE.
Don't forget that we will be featuring guest posts every third Thursday of the month in the WHAT HOLE IS IT? contest. Send your pictures of your favorite golf holes to larry@9acespublishing.com. If we use your pic, you'll win a prize.
Enjoy!
Larry Baush
Click to listen on Spotify
WHAT HOLE IS IT?
Send us your picture of your favorite hole and if we feature it, you win a 2021 WHAT HOLE IS IT? Wall Calendar.
Email to larry@9acespublishing.com
We'll post guest submissions on the third Thursday of the month.
