BIRMINGHAM, Mich. --- A $250 telephone call gave Gary Player enough incentive to win the $225,000 PGA Championship Sunday at water-logged Oakland Hills Country club.

Player called his 73-year-old father Sunday morning in Johannsburg, South Africa. After the conversation, the younger Player was pumped up enough to hold onto his third round lead with a 37035---72 to win the first place check, worth $45,000 with a four-round total of one over par 281.

PLAYER FINISHED TWO SHOTS AHEAD of Jim Jamieson and Tommy Aaron, who tied for second with a 72-hole score of 283. Ray Floyd, Billy Casper and 60-year-old Sam Snead were another shot back at 284.

Casper, Jamieson and Floyd either had or shared the top spot on the final day, but each was hit by the bogeyman and the scars should remain for a long time.

Jamieson, the roly-poly pro who uses a mixed bag of clubs, wrested the lead from Player on the 12th hole, but was shot down by bogeys on the final three holes.

"I have a sore throat, but it got real sore on those last three holes," laughed Jimmy afterwards.

PLAYER, HOWEVER, WAS NOT TO BE denied, especially after taking to his father. "my father was all choked up when I talked to him," said Gary, "and I wanted to win this tournament for him.

"My father had an over draft at the bank to give me my first set of golf clubs and I’ll never forget that. This tournament was for him and I was optimistic all day.

"My father worked 31 years in a gold mine and never made more then $500 in any one month and was crying he wanted me to win this so badly," continued the emotion-struck new champion.

"It’s late now in South Africa, but I’m going to call him anyway and give him the good news."

THE PGA CROWN WAS PLAYER’S sixth major title and the second time he won this event. He captured his first PGA in 1962 in Philadelphia. He also had legitimate opportunities. Aaron, however, always trailed and would have won only if Player had faltered.

Casper bogied on the back side four times and Floyd bogied three of the last four holes. Aaron had bogey trouble on 10 an d11, but he was trailing the leaders at that time.

Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer actually played the final round for exercise. Nicklaus, the dethroned king, finished with 37-35---72 and a four round total of 287. Trevino had his third straight 71 after an opening round 73 and he finished at 286 while Palmer was at 289 after a closing 73.

SNEAD AND GEORGE ARCHER WERE the only players to break par Sunday, each with a 69. Slammin’ Sam, however, had the 24,000 fans excited when he made the turn in 32 to be just one shot back of the leader. Sam also bogied a bunch on the incoming nine.

Player opened with a bogie on the first hole when his second shot found a bunker. He birdied the second and than proceeded to bogey when he put an eight iron to ran off a string of six strait pars.

Gary birdied the 11th when he put an eight-iron within five feet. He bogied 14 and 15 and then made what he called his greatest shot ever on the lake-laden 16th. He put a nice iron four feet from the flag and holed the put. "That shot won the tournament for me," Player declared.

"I was optimistic even when I missed short puts on 13 and 15," said Gary.

"IT REALLY MEANS SO MUCH when you win a major championship I was determined not to get discouraged. I knew the other fellows were having trouble and you never know until the final putt drops."

"This is the toughest golf course in America and this is the toughest field of any tournament anywhere.

"When Ben Hogan said this was the Monster he knew what he was talking about," added Gary. "Only Carnoustie in Scotland is tougher."

The victory was Gary’s second of the year. He won the New Orleans Open and was second at Atlanta. He has been in the top 10 in eight times in the 14 tournaments he’s played in this year.

THE VICTORY ALSO QUALIFIES Player for the World Series of Golf Sept. 9-10 at Firestone Country Club when he’ll face Nicklaus, Trevino and Gay Brewer for the $50,000 first prizes.

Gary Player covets major titles dearly. He now has six and wants someday to own more than anyone. That’s some order since he trials Nicklaus and the late Bobby Jones by seven.

This article first appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer August 7, 1972.
Reproduced with permission.