The best of the Voice of Golf

BEST GOLFER?

Undoubtedly Jack Nicklaus (below). The most exciting was Arnold Palmer, then Seve Ballesteros, while Lee Trevino was a genius. There was also a long period where Tiger Woods played shots and achieved things that previously had seemed impossible.

BEST SWING?

I like simple swings, like Gene Littler, Peter Thomson and Luke Donald. Of today’s lot, Rory McIlroy has wonderful tempo. I’ve never seen Rory off-balance, which is simply amazing given he hits it so far.

BEST EVENT?

It’s difficult to make our Open No1, because it’s been beaten at least 10 times in my life by the weather. It’s awful when you get the wind and rain. But it is majestic when you get up on a hill and look around. The smoke and mirrors of the Masters is extraordinary. I don’t like everything they do, but their presentation is fantastic.

BEST COMMENTATOR?

Peter O’Sullevan on horse racing. He had the most difficult job of all of us, and he was quite masterly, the way he seemed to know the colours of all the jockeys’ silks. I loved Bill McLaren on rugby because even when Scotland were winning he never got carried away — unlike dear old Murray Walker!

BEST GOLF COURSE?

I’ve always liked courses with heather, pine and silver birch. Places like Ferndown, Swinley Forest, Sunningdale, Formby, and Blairgowrie. They have a sublime look in the spring and summer.

BEST BE PERFORMANCE?

Th There have been so many from th the Big Three and Tiger. But Tony Ja Jacklin winning the Open at Royal Lytham in 1969 was a great moment. We were desperate for a champion, and he came alon along and for a few years he did wonder wonderfully. He was such a bright star. I liked him.

BEST DINNER COMPANION?

I got to know Lee Trevino very well during the days of the BBC celebrity pro-am series and he was fascinating. He always wanted to learn things, from how to play cricket to what was happening in Northern Ireland. I also think Jack Nicklaus has come out of his shell in the last 15 years. He’s brilliant when explaining his approach and how he got things done. Every young player should listen to him.

DREAM FOURBALL?

I would love to have seen Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones play. I never saw my father play in his prime, either, although Sir Henry Cotton told me he was a beautiful golfer. Those old players were the most talented the game has seen, going round the likes of Hoylake and Deal in 72 and 73, playing in Norfolk jackets with balls that were not even round and the equipment they had. Bloody wonderful!