MASSACRE AT WINGED FOOT: Minute by Minute Through the U.S. Open

The U.S. Open -- the most prestigious tournament on the pro golf tour and often one of the most dramatic -- was held in June of 1974 at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. A tough, long, narrow-fairwayed course, it is made downright devilish by its deep rough and lightning fast greens. Schaap (The Masters; Quarterbacks Have All the Fun, KR, p. 1050) follows the action, pivotal putt by putt, as the relatively unknown Hale Irwin overtakes Palmer, Player and 147 others to forge his name besides those of Horace Rawlins (1895), Laurie Auchterlonie (1902) and Orville Moody (1969). Winged Foot so dominated (demoralized) the golfers that their frustration makes for lively reading -- whether it's the wisecracking Trevino or the snappish Hubert Green. Schaap knows the various pros and their bag -- ""Unlike most athletes, Palmer's sex appeal will probably be the last part of his game to go. . . ."" ""Just as Monroe could be interesting even when she was bad, Nicklaus at his worst is fascinating."" What's a nightmarish experience for them is swell for the vicarious duffer.