A Round with a Legend: Peter Thomson

Thomson takes an enormous interest in the state of the game in his home country, which is not surprising given that he was president of the Australian PGA for 32 years (from 1962 to 1994). And the prognosis isn’t positive.
“I have mixed feelings about the development of professional golf in Asia,” says the Victorian, who was instrumental in the foundation of the Asian professional circuit in the 1960s. “I’m delighted that the tournaments have increased in stature, but the Australian Tour has suffered as a direct result. We used to have at least 15 events played during October, November and December, but now we really only have three big weeks. Still, the competition for players and sponsors is huge, which, generally speaking, is healthy for the game. Australia will take care of its problems in its own way.”
Listening to professional golfers talking about other professional golfers is always insightful, and Thomson doesn’t disappoint. After complimenting Brown on yet another long, straight drive (although we’re playing them off the stick, both Brown and Mailer are making a mockery of their seven handicaps and have extended their lead in the match to 5-up), he starts talking on the importance of rhythm. “[Sam] Snead was the best. I used to love watching him play,” he says. “He was incredibly fit, too. People talk about how fit Tiger Woods is, but Snead was just as fit and incredibly flexible as well.”