The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Major winner Roberto de Vicenzo remembered for how he lost another
Argentina’s Roberto de Vicenzo, who won one major championship but was best remembered for how he lost another, has died at the age of 94.
The Argentina Golf Association, which confirmed his death, said the 1967 Open Championship winner broke his hip last month at his home in Buenos Aires and had been in deteriorating health since then.
Born on April 14 1923, in Villa Ballester in Greater Buenos Aires, De Vicenzo was one of eight children.
After becoming a caddie at a local club at the age of six, De Vicenzo became fascinated with the game – fishing balls out of ponds in order to practice – and turned professional at the age of 15.
His most famous victory came in the 1967 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, where a third round of 67 gave him a two-shot lead over Gary Player, with defending champion Jack Nicklaus a shot further back.
A closing 70 ensured De Vicenzo won by the same margin over Nicklaus, the Argentinian carding a crucial birdie on the par-five 16th – now the 18th – courtesy of a superb three-wood over the corner of the out-of-bounds to the heart of the green.
However De Vicenzo is perhaps best known for the scorecard error that cost him victory at the Masters the following year.
De Vicenzo had just carded 65 to force a play-off against Bob Goalby but after his error came to light he memorably said: “What a stupid I am”.
He was preparing to take on Goalby when it emerged playing partner Tommy Aaron had inadvertently marked down a four on his card at the 17th when De Vicenzo had actually made a birdie three.
De Vicenzo failed to notice the error when he submitted his scorecard to officials so the higher score stood.