Lee Trevino – The Merry Mex

“The older I get, the better I used to be” Lee Trevino.

Lee Trevino

When I first saw Lee Trevino on TV back in the 1980s, I was struck by his putting style. Most golfers, amateur and professional, had a square stance along the line of the putt. Lee Trevino had an open stance when putting. His chipping skills were admired by many of his fellow professionals.

Character

Lee Trevino has earned the reputation as one of the characters of golf. He has a bright, chirpy, chatty, always smiling personality. In a tournament, Tony Jacklin was paired with Trevino, Jacklin says “Lee, I don’t want to talk today.” Trevino shoots back “I don’t want you to talk. I just want you to listen.” Told by Chi Chi Rodriguez and reported in the NZ Herald 2005.

His insightful comments, about the course and the long drivers of the ball, after the third round of the 1984 PGA Championship, showed another side of his character.

Clinic

On a visit to New Zealand, I had the privilege of attending his clinic. While chatting happily to the crowd, Trevino hits a piercing low draw. Still smiling and chatting away, another ball is dropped on the ground, without pausing with the chat, he hits a long high fade. I remember that day with a chuckle, my brother was there, as was Frank Nobilo a Kiwi who played on the PGA Tour and later became a television commentator for the tour. We were all impressed with Trevino’s skills and laughed at his chatter. 

Influence

Watching Trevino putt with an open stance, I thought I would try the same. For short to mid-range putts, I could see the line. It helped me judge the strength of the putt, especially with a break, left to right, right to left, degree of slope, up or down, the open stance built my confidence, sky high on the greens. Further out I stood square to the line of the putt. For years I kept to the open stance, it proved successful for me and was the best part of my game.

Sadly, in my senior years, like my swing, my putting went south, way south. I now use the square to the line method, for all putts, without the level of success of the early, open stance, years.

PGA Career

29 wins on the PGA Tour, includes 6 Majors.

29 wins on the PGA Champions Tour

14 wins non-PGA events

Lee Trevino

Trevino will be remembered as one of the greatest characters in professional golf. Personally, I can attest to that. Trevino also had the golf skills, to match his humorous personality, he is still considered to be one of the best shot-makers of all time. In the recordings of his golf, just listen to the sound of the swish through the strike area, it is the sound of a great shot-maker.