'He had a big life' - American Tom Weiskopf, Open champion in 1973, dies at the age of 79 in Arizona

The 1973 Open champion Tom Weiskopf has died at the age of 79. Weiskopf was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020, and died in Arizona on Saturday. Ad «He worked to the end.

It was amazing,» Weiskopf's wife Laurie told ESPN. «He had a big life.» Golf‘I can’t believe it, amazing' — Kieffer overjoyed to claim maiden title at Czech Masters25 MINUTES AGO As well as being a giant of the game, Weiskopf was a revered course architect and an acclaimed broadcaster. Weiskopf helped in the design of a host of classic courses, including TPC Scottsdale and Loch Lomond.

Known for his rhythmical swing, Weiskopf was a fierce competitor and won 16 times on the PGA Tour in the era of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. Watson, who won the Open on five occasions, paid his own tribute on social media: «I send my deepest sympathies to the family of Tom Weiskopf. »Will miss you and your stories.

RIP my friend." Weiskopf’s career highlight came in the Open at Troon in 1973, as he defeated Johnny Miller and Neil Coles by three strokes. His commentary at the Masters in the 1980s and 1990s became the stuff of legend, but Augusta was where he suffered heartbreak on the course as he finished second on four occasions. Nicklaus was one of his biggest on-course rivals and Weiskopf famously said of the Golden Bear in an interview with Golf Digest in 2008: «Going head-to-head against Jack Nicklaus in a major was like trying to drain the Pacific Ocean with a teacup.