[Tom Zeni]

...for the 4th time at the Senior Open. I haven't seen anyone flitter away 6 shots on the final nine like that since Arnie at Olympic in '66. Palmer had the U.S. Open in his pocket only to let Billy Casper walk through the door as Casper gained 7 strokes on the final nine holes to tie and send it into a playoff.

Arnie was trying to break Hogan's record, and forgot to win the Open. Arnie, took the lead in the playoff, but Casper sank a 50ft putt and won his 2nd title by building his lead on the back nine.

BTW, do you know who finished 3rd?

Who else - Jack Nicklaus.

And low Amateur?

Johnny Miller. Tied for 8th.

[Matt_Cohn]

It also reminds me of Tom Lehman's run at the U.S. Open in the mid-90's. I think he was in the final group four years in a row and didn't win. Eventually you realized he simply wouldn't get any more chances.

Question: Has anyone had such a run of heartbreak in a single tournament like Watson at the Senior Open, Mickelson at the US Open, Lehman at the US Open, Norman at the Masters, etc. - and then eventually won the tournament?

[PThomas]

Hogan had 2 tough defeats at Augusta before breaking thru:  a playoff loss to Nelson and he three-jacked 18 to miss a playoff in 46 I believe, won by Herman Keiser, I think

Watson, of course, had a big reputation as a choker which only went away after his 1977 wins against Jack at Augusta and Turnberry...even his 75 win at Carnoustie didn't totally shake them as I believe he blew some tournaments after that

[mike_beene]

I have trouble putting this on the same level as the real majors.I am sure Watson is disappointed,but would he trade one of his eight majors for a senior open?I wouldn't think so.The closest I can come on missed opportunities is Tom Kite,but he really only let one open(Oak Hill) get away.Lehman is the best example ,especially because his window was fairly compressed.Parnevik really let two opens get away and I think it affected his career.

[Tommy Williamsen]

It was  painful to watch.  I'm gald I DVR'd it.  I watched the last few hole double time just to get it over.

[Tom Zeni]

How many chances did Seve have at the Masters after his initial wins?  '86 and the 4 iron at the 15th come to mind. And Seve's last harrah in '87 and the long walk back up the 10th hole after missing a par putt in the first playoff hole with Norman and Mize.

We all know what happened on the 11th.

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