“PRO” File – Touring Professional Tom Weiskopf

He never really escaped the shadow of another Ohio State alum, but Tom Weiskopf was able to forge a very good career nevertheless. Weiskopf was always compared to his fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus, but any comparison to the greatest major champion of all time wouldn’t be fair to anyone not named Woods, Hogan or Jones, or to a few more select individuals.

Weiskopf turned professional in 1964 and won his first tour event in 1968. Starting in 1969, he was a fixture on Masters leaderboards, four times finishing as a runner-up – twice to Nicklaus. He never really seemed able to break through to win the big ones as much as what was expected, but he did win The Open in 1973 at Royal Troon. Weiskopf later commented that he loved to practice full shots but not putting and the short game, and he believed that cost him numerous victories in his prime. Weiskopf is one of only 51 players in history to win 16 PGA Tour events with one or more being a major, but so far his resume has not landed him a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame

He went on to become a noted architect, with one of his most famous designs being the TPC Scottsdale course in Arizona, which is home to the rowdy Waste Management Open.