Tom Weiskopf's golf skills went beyond his 16 victories on the PGA Tour and his lone major at Royal Troon in the Open Championship. He was outspoken and accurate in the television booth.
His wife said that Weiskopf died at his home. He was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in December of 2020. He passed away at the age of 78.
Laurie Weiskopf said that Tom was working at The Club at Spanish Peaks and that he was designing a collection of his favorite par 3s.
He worked hard to get something done. She said it was incredible. He had a lot of things.
Weiskopf said he fell in love with the game before he ever started playing. He was enamored with Sam Snead at the 1957 U.S. Open.
At Ohio State, he was known for his pure contact. Weiskopf had a swing that was powerful and rhythmic. His best year was in 1973, when he won seven times around the world, including the claret jug.
He was known equally for the majors he didn't win and the competition he faced, particularly Jack Nicklaus, the star from Ohio who preceded him and cast an enormous shadow over Weiskopf.
Weiskopf had four runner-up finishes in the Masters, more than any other player. In 1975, Weiskopf and Johnny Miller stood on the 16th tee as they watched Nicklaus hole a 40-foot putt up the slope that won him the game.
He said that Jack knew he was going to win. Jack was going to win. He was going to beat you.
Weiskopf told Golf Digest in 2008 that going head to head against Jack Nicklaus in a major was like trying to drain the Pacific Ocean with a teacup. On the first tee, you are aware that your best golf may not be good enough.
Weiskopf was good in a lot of areas, but he didn't make the most of his talent. He blamed drinking for ruining his golf career. He gave up alcohol in 2007, and thought it was his greatest victory.
He said he wasn't passionate about golf. Hunting and fishing were his favorite pastimes. Weiskopf was able to go sheep hunting because he skipped the 1977Ryder Cup.
He was a big part of his personality. He was dubbed the "Towering Inferno" and "Terrible Tom". He had high standards when it came to golfing.
He said after winning the U.S. Senior Open that he wouldn't accept failure if it was his fault. It used to make me cry.
The Western Open was Weiskopf's last win on the tour. His last year on the tour was in 2011. His lone major victory was the Senior Open, which he won by 4 shots over his opponent.
Weiskopf worked at ABC and CBS.
The Troon Country Club was the first project he and Moorish collaborated on. Loch Lomond in Scotland is one of dozens of golf courses that have been renovated.
The par 4 is a standard of his designs. He was inspired by the fact that he could drive four of the par 4s on the Old Course at St. Andrew.
Weiskopf told Golf Digest that he should have done more. I don't pay attention to it anymore. If it wasn't for the fact that I love what I'm doing, I'd be very unhappy.
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