BLAZING A TRAIL

Argentinian Roberto De Vicenzo was a pioneering professional who won more than 200 times in his career, with his greatest triumph of all coming at Hoylake in the summer of 1967...

- Fergus Bisset

If it wasn't to be a British champion in The Open Championship of 1967, then second best for the brimful galleries at Royal Liverpool was for it to be the charming, powerful and skilful Argentinian, Roberto De Vicenzo.

The South American was one of the most popular players on the start sheet, and one of the most deserving of a Major, having come close on multiple occasions.

De Vicenzo had been a professional for nearly 30 years by the time of the 1967 Open at Hoylake and was 44 years old.

He grew up in a suburb north of Buenos Aires and took up golf while working as a caddie. He quickly realised that he had an aptitude for the game and turned professional at the age of 15, winning his first tournament when he was just 19 years old.

The Argentine was a big man possessing that most desirable golfing attribute - effortless power. His swing was described as rhythmical, even drowsy by some commentators. But he was always an exceptional and consistent ball-striker.

He was a prolific winner on the international scene and first played in The Open way back in 1948, finishing in a tie for 3rd.

Over the next 16 years, he recorded four more 3rd-place finishes and was runner-up to Bobby Locke in 1950.

At Troon in 1950, De Vicenzo was tied for the lead with South Africa's Locke and Welshman Dai Rees with just 18 holes to play.

He played an excellent closing round other than dropping four shots between the 10th and 13th holes. He shot a 70 but was outplayed by Locke who managed a 68. The Argentinian was left to rue that short stretch after the turn.

In 1953, De Vicenzo was tied with Ben Hogan with a round to play at Carnoustie but, once again, was outplayed over the final 18 holes. Hogan claimed his only Open title on his only outing in the great old championship. De Vicenzo had his work cut out to beat 'The Hawk' that year.