That’s what legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind nicknamed Jack Fleck after he stunned Ben Hogan in the 1955 U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Jack won the 18-hole playoff, 69-72.
We had an enjoyable conversation. Jack told me he will soon visit Walker Inman Jr., a longtime golf pro and friend, in Memphis. It so happens that Inman played the first 36 holes with Jack at the ’55 Open.
“Hey Jack,” I said. “You’ll be glad to know I got out and hit some balls this past weekend. All short irons, plus I practiced putting.”
Jack said, “You know as you get older you lose about a half shot a year. You’ll have to give me strokes.”
(Jack is 85 and still plays tournaments.)
I laughed. “I’m not the smartest guy, but I’m not dumb enough to give shots to a U.S. Open champion.”
I heard a soft chuckle on the other end.
The Armchair Golfer
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(Photo: Golf Digest)