In terms of {golfing} legacies, it’s onerous to get extra iconic than Lee Trevino. Of Mexican-American descent, Trevino is often known as ‘The Merry Mex’ and ‘Supermex’.
When taking a look at sports betting lines, realizing who beforehand dominated the tournaments is a good way of understanding the chances.
Early Life
Born in 1939 on December 1st, Lee Trevino is from Garland, Texas, and has Mexican ancestry. He was raised by his mom and grandfather and started working within the cotton fields at age 5 to earn cash.
Trevino was launched to golf by his uncle and later grew to become a caddie for the Dallas Athletic Membership. After work, he would hit pictures into the holes behind the shack as follow.
Many of those holes had onerous floor and little grass, many say that is what helped Trevino develop his signature shot fashion. Along with his self-taught performs, Trevino’s compact swing and managed ‘fade’ has been described as unorthodox however efficient.
On the age of 17, Trevino joined the USA Marine Corps and served for 4 years till 1960. Throughout his service, Trevino performed golf with fellow Marine officers and took part in Armed Forces golf occasions in Asia.
Skilled Profession
After discharge from the navy, Trevino labored as an expert in El Paso, Texas. In 1966 he certified for his first US Open and completed tied for 54th. The following yr he certified once more and completed fifth. That 1967 season had Trevino be awarded the PGA tour rookie of the yr.
He gained his first US Open the following yr in 1968, simply 4 strokes forward of Jack Nicklaus. Trevino and Nicklaus continued to be rivals all through the early Seventies. In 1970 Trevino was within the lead for prize cash.
In 1971, Trevino had a formidable streak of wins. He beat Nicklaus within the 1971 US Open, 2 weeks later he gained the Canadian Open, and the week after he gained The Open Championship. Trevino is the primary participant to win all 3 of these titles in the identical yr.
He grew to become the primary particular person to defend The Open Championship since Arnold Palmer a decade prior in 1962.
Trevino made historical past in 1974 as the primary particular person to win a PGA Tour particular person occasion with out hitting any bogeys, he did this on the Better New Orleans Open. This wouldn’t be completed once more till 2019 with J. T. Poston on the Wyndham Championship.
In 1975 he was sadly struck by lightning and suffered accidents to his backbone. He required a number of surgical procedures, one in every of which was to take away a broken spinal disk. These surgical procedures precipitated him to have again issues.
Regardless of his accidents hindering his play, he gained 3 PGA Excursions in 1980. He gained his sixth and last PGA Championship in 1984 after which retired from the Tour resulting from again accidents.
Because of his spectacular profession Trevino grew to become a shade analyst for the NBC PGA Tour protection from 1983 to 1989.
Legacy
All through his profession, Trevino gained 6 main championships and 29 PGA Tour occasions. The one championship that escaped him was the Masters Match which he positioned within the high 10 in 1975 and 1985.
He’s one in every of solely 4 gamers to twice win the US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Corridor of Fame in 1981.
Being from a poverty background, Trevino understands the significance of serving to others. This has led to him establishing scholarships and monetary help to different Mexican-Individuals.
Trevino additionally has a road named after him, that being Lee Trevino Drive in El Paso, Texas. There are additionally streets in Rio Rancho and Belen named in his honor.
Within the 2000 challenge of Golf Digest, Trevino was named the 14th best golfer of all time.
Conclusion
Not solely was Lee Trevino identified for his spectacular golf sport, however he was additionally an approachable and humorous particular person. He has been continuously quoted by the press for his witty and memorable traces. His most iconic line was, “I’ve been hit by lightning and been within the Marine Corps for 4 years. I’ve traveled the world and been about in every single place you’ll be able to think about. There’s not something I’m petrified of besides my spouse.” This perspective additionally led to him having a cameo within the 1996 comedy movie ‘Joyful Gilmore’.
Trevino has turn out to be an icon to many Mexican-Individuals due to his down-to-earth persona and hard-working perspective. He’s self-taught and gained his expertise via dedication and a love for golf.
