Burr Trivia #2: Did you know Burr is related to a former PGA tour professional?

That's right. In 1977 the world's two greatest players went tooth-and-nail on the scenic links of Turnberry that overlooks Ailsa Craig on the west coast of Scotland. At the time Jack Nicklaus was still the greatest player ever to have made a divot on the hallowed turf of the British course whereas Tom Watson was the young pretender set to take on Nicklaus' mantle. Drama and excitement were inevitable.

Things looked good for Watson, who had already captured his first Open Championship in 1975. Nicklaus hadn't won the event since 1970 but the Golden Bear was far from finished with major titles.

At the end of four enthralling days in Scotland, Watson had blown away the rest of the field by 11 shots, but it had taken a magnificent birdie on the last to beat his playing partner of the weekend, Nicklaus, by a single shot. This particular championship became known ever-after as the 'Duel in the Sun.'

Tom Watson -12
Jack Nicklaus -11
Hubert Green -1
Lee Trevino E

Nicklaus and Watson may have stolen the headlines but on Saturday afternoon one young American would mount a small charge of his own at the title. This was little known Gaylord Burrows, a native of Monroe, Louisianna. Burrows may not have won the Open, but he certainly won our hearts.

I like to think there is (or has been) a little bit of Gaylord in our very own Burrows.

*Jack Nicklaus went on to win a record total of 18 major championships, a record he still holds by 5 over Tiger Woods.
Tom Watson dominated golf over the next decade winning 5 Opens in total.
Gaylord Burrows never played in another major but developed an impressive portfolio nontheless.