8 Lee Trevino
Loved by the galleries for his on-course jocularity, Trevino wasn’t so popular with his fellow pros, some of whom felt his almost nonstop jabbering was a deliberate form of gamesmanship. Although others claimed Trevino’s antics were a result of a Turettes-type nervous affliction, there’s little doubt that the multiple major champion was capable of intentionally putting his opponents off.
Greg Norman tells a story of playing against the “Merry Mex” in the 1986 US Open, when both had tricky downhill birdie putts on their first hole of the day. Trevino putted first and put the ball a foot past the hole, and turned to his caddie and said, “Wow, that is the fastest putt I’ve seen all year long.” Needless to say, Norman left his putt over five feet short and a smiling Lee left the green.
Less subtle and still unbelievable even after so many years was the “Stretchy Serpent” incident. In 1971 he and Jack Nicklaus had tied after 4 rounds of the US Open and the following day went to the first tee to start the 18 hole playoff. Before a ball had been struck, Trevino pulled a rubber snake from his bag and threw it at Nicklaus. Jack laughed and it was reported as an incident that “broke the ice”. Many would say it also broke Nicklaus, and Trevino prevailed by three shots.
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