This Day in Golf History: August 6

Like Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson didn’t win the PGA Championship, which if they had would have given them each a career Grand Slam. On this date in 1978 at Oakmont C.C., site of this year’s U.S. Open won by J.J. Spaun, John Mahaffey rallied from seven shots back with 14 holes to play to tie Watson and Jerry Pate, and then won on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Watson had been in control during regulation, but his perfect drive on 10 finished in a sand-filled divot hole and he ended up making double bogey, and lost control of the outcome. Also, the 1972 PGA Championship concluded on this date with Gary Player winning at Oakland Hills near Detroit by two shots over Jim Jamieson and Tommy Aaron. The miracle clincher took place on the 16th hole in the final round when Player drove into the right rough behind a large weeping willow. But the South African lofted a 9-iron over the tree and made a four-foot birdie putt to maintain a cushion.