Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day 40: De Vicenzo signs for wrong card to miss play-off in 1968
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Welcome to Day 40 of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.
Roberto De Vicenzo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and only spoke a little English. And although he won more than 230 tournaments worldwide (including the 1967 Open Championship) it was the troubles he encountered during the 1968 Masters which he will always be remembered for.
On April 14th 1968, the day of his 45th birthday, De Vicenzo entered the final round two shots off the lead; but then shot a 7-under 65 to finish tied in the lead with Bob Goalby. Or, at least that’s what he thought.
Rewind to the par-4 17th hole, where De Vicenzo made a great birdie, but his playing partner Tommy Aaron mistakenly put a ‘4’ on his scorecard, instead of a ‘3’. Unfortunately, the South American did not check his scorecard before signing it; and so the Rules of Golf stated that the higher score would have to stand.
In other words, instead of De Vicenzo tying Bob Goalby for the lead, and instead of both of them playing an 18-hole playoff the next day, Goalby was proclaimed the champion.
Afterwards, the Argentinian was quoted as saying in his pigeon English “What a stupid I am!”
Interestingly, Augusta Chairman Clifford Roberts sent De Vicenzo a sterling silver cigarette box, engraved with the signatures of previous winners, to make up for his disaster. Meanwhile, Goalby received hate mail from fans who felt he didn’t deserve the victory.
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