#61: Hat Tricks
It’s a relatively short list of golfers who’ve carded victories at the same event in three consecutive years. Arnold Palmer is on it, having taken the Texas Open in 1960 through 62 and the Phoenix Open from 61 to 63.
The last victory in Arizona saw wind and rain twice delay the final at Arizona Country Club, but the finish was worth it: Palmer eagled the par-5 18th to enter the final round one stroke up on Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. On the last day, Palmer and Player shot 70, with Player missing a 4-footer for birdie on 18 that would have forced a playoff. The result was Palmer, Player and Nicklaus finishing first, second and third respectively, the first time—and one of the few times—the “big three” took the top spots together.
