Billy Casper's Other Great Come-from-Behind Win

Most serious golf fans know that Billy Casper came from seven shots back of Arnold Palmer with nine holes to play in the 1966 U.S. Open to win the tournament in a playoff. But that's not the only remarkable come-from-behind win for Casper. No, he once caught Lee Trevino after trailing by six strokes with just three holes to play.

The tournament was the 1969 Alcan Open played at Portland Golf Club in Oregon. With nine holes to go, Casper was five strokes off the lead of Trevino, who, at that time (1968-71 era), was at the peak of his own great game.

On the 15th hole, Casper sank a 20-foot birdie putt. Yet, he was actually farther behind the he was with nine to play. Now, with only three holes to go, Casper was six shots off Trevino's lead. How did Casper make up that difference? As with any such lead that disappears, he had to play well himself and get some help from Trevino.

Casper made birdies putts on each of the final three holes. Trevino, meanwhile, bogeyed the 16th hole and triple-bogeyed the par-3 17th hole. In the end, Casper had recorded a 66 for the round and Trevino a 69, scores that by themselves give no indication of Casper's comeback effort. But after being down six with just three holes to go, Casper wound up winning the tournament by a stroke.

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