Tom Weiskopf

Few players have come so frustratingly close so many times to winning the USGA championship as Tom Weiskopf. This fact is one of the major reasons why his triumph at this year's Senior Open, played at venerable Congressional Country Club, in Bethesda, Md., seemed particularly fitting.

Only the second Senior Open champion to record four rounds in the 60s (69-69-69-68-275), Weiskopf employed a laser-like iron game that caused him to miss only 16 greens in regulation all week, and a putting stroke that permitted him to drop birdie putts when he needed them most. His victory was also particularly sweet because he bested longtime nemesis and friend Jack Nicklaus by four strokes.

Weiskopf, obviously, played consistently well all week. He was tied with Tommy Armour at 6-under-par 138 entering the final two rounds. The players patiently waited through long rain delays on Saturday, with Aaron and Weiskopf able to complete on 14 holes that day. Aaron eventually faded from contention, while Weiskopf fought off a determined Sunday run by Isao Aoki of Japan.

Aoki finally caught Weiskopf at the seventh during the final round, but then stalled. Weiskopf, meanwhile, birdied the 13th hole to fall 13 under. He completed a string of pars to the clubhouse, and the Francis D. Ouimet Trophy and a USGA championship medal were his at last.