Royal Birkdale provided a fitting venue for the 100th Open Championship and with the sun shining on Merseyside, two equally bright characters battled it out for the Claret Jug. Lee Trevino, reigning two-time US Open champion was known around the world as one of the best players and most colourful personalities in the game.

Unknown quantity

But the man who duelled with him down the stretch for the title in the final round, Thailand’s Lu Liang Huan, was an unknown quantity. With his unusual pork pie hat, which he doffed with a smile to all he met, and his unerring talent, “Mr Lu” quickly became a favourite of the galleries. Trevino led by one from Tony Jacklin and Lu going into the final round and went out like a rocket, with four birdies over the first four holes. By the turn he had opened up a six stroke lead but Lu began picking up shots and when the American made seven at the 17th, there was only one shot in it heading down the last.

Uncomfortable

Both players made birdie but Lu’s was an uncomfortable one, coming via knocking out a female spectator with his second shot. A first Open Championship victory went to Trevino, who went on to retain the Claret Jug at Muirfield the following year.