https://www.pgatour.com/news/2018/06/20/hubert-green-dies-age-71-world-golf-hall-of-fame-member.html
Hubert was one of those guys I followed as a kid. If I remember correctly, he was first married to a local chick whose family was friends with my family.
Oral cancer can’t be an easy way to go. He had nerves of steel by all reports...
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Green, who passed away last night at the age of 71 following a lengthy battle with throat cancer, was at the height of his career when he entered the ’77 Open at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The winner of 11 tournaments over the previous six years, Green was clinging to a one-stroke lead after three rounds, but also saw another 10 players within three shots.
That he still led by one through 14 holes Sunday and would win by playing the final four holes in even par was one thing. It was quite another that Green, upon completing the 14th hole, was notified by tournament officials of a death threat they had received, saying Green would be shot when he reached the 15th green.
He was presented with three options: continue as is, wait for officials to clear the course of fans before continuing, or suspend play until Monday and finish without a gallery. Green chose to continue playing. Despite the pressure and uncertainly of the threat, not to mention the intense pressure of competing for his first major title, Green did what he needed to. With a birdie on No. 16 and bogey on No. 18, Green managed to win by one stroke over 1975 U.S. Open champion Lou Graham.
Hubert was one of those guys I followed as a kid. If I remember correctly, he was first married to a local chick whose family was friends with my family.
Oral cancer can’t be an easy way to go. He had nerves of steel by all reports...
——————
Green, who passed away last night at the age of 71 following a lengthy battle with throat cancer, was at the height of his career when he entered the ’77 Open at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The winner of 11 tournaments over the previous six years, Green was clinging to a one-stroke lead after three rounds, but also saw another 10 players within three shots.
That he still led by one through 14 holes Sunday and would win by playing the final four holes in even par was one thing. It was quite another that Green, upon completing the 14th hole, was notified by tournament officials of a death threat they had received, saying Green would be shot when he reached the 15th green.
He was presented with three options: continue as is, wait for officials to clear the course of fans before continuing, or suspend play until Monday and finish without a gallery. Green chose to continue playing. Despite the pressure and uncertainly of the threat, not to mention the intense pressure of competing for his first major title, Green did what he needed to. With a birdie on No. 16 and bogey on No. 18, Green managed to win by one stroke over 1975 U.S. Open champion Lou Graham.
