By 1962, Arnold Palmer was in the process of single-handedly reinvigorating the Open Championship. It was his presence at the tournament that set an example to his American peers and it is not overstating the case to suggest that the Open would not be the sporting institution that it is today without the Pennsylvanian’s immense contribution in the 1960s.
Palmer was at his absolute peak as a golfer saying afterwards: “I have never, I mean never, played better golf.” Already two strokes clear at the halfway stage, over a baked and scorched Troon links, Palmer simply scattered the field with a third round of 67 with none of his challengers able to break 70.
Cruising home with a closing 69 meant that he beat the Australian Nagle by six strokes with Rodgers and Brian Huggett a further seven adrift in third place.
