‘It was just bad thinking’: Sanders and that missed putt at St Andrews

As the news from Houston, Texas, filters its way across the Atlantic that 20-time PGA Tour champion Doug Sanders has sadly died, we remember the moment where he came closest to removing himself of the ‘Best Player to Never Win a Major’ tag…

• Read more: The incredible life of Doug Sanders

The background

Doug Sanders’ clothing was colourful and co-ordinated, a far cry from the hand-me-down clothes he wore growing up in Great Depression-era Georgia.

He didn’t even own a pair of shoes until he was eight years old. Unable to afford food, let alone golf lessons, Sanders learnt to play after begging to be allowed to caddie at a 9-hole course. He would practise his swing in the moments when the players weren’t watching.

Now, aged 36, he was just 30 inches away from winning the Open at St Andrews.

The scene

Sanders was the peacocking playboy of the golfing world during the 1960s.

In the off-season he would party with the Rat Pack and Evil Knievel and during practice rounds beautiful women would be strategically located to deliver him vodka and tonics.

But during the season, Sanders dropped the booze and amassed 20 tour wins, the most of any golfer without capturing a major.

At the 1970 Open Championship, that anomaly should have been corrected.

The moment

Sanders lined it up, drew his putter back. And stopped.

He had spotted a minuscule spot of dust, blown into his line. Removing the tiny obstacle, his stance changed slightly, but Sanders hadn’t noticed.

He missed the putt.

Remember Doug Sanders missing this putt at the 1970 Open? Were you at St Andrews that day? We want to hear from you. https://t.co/g40IPIlMAW pic.twitter.com/9sh6kPYQ73

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 13, 2017

A play-off with Jack Nicklaus ensued, but the miss had shattered Sanders, without a win in three years.

“I just made a big mistake trying to hurry up and get it done,” said Sanders. “The gallery were going wild. It wasn’t that I was nervous, it was just bad thinking on my part.”

What happened next?

As the Swinging Sixties gave way, so too was his playing career. He never got over the disappointment, and never achieved that missing major.

Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for free online golf instruction, the latest equipment reviews, and much, much more.

Thanks for stopping by.

We wondered if you might like to contribute to supporting our journalism?

As the world enters uncharted waters, we’d like to be able to keep our content open for all to entertain and inform in the months ahead.

We’d like to think we are the voice of the ordinary golfer the world over. Whether your interest is in the game from tour level to grassroots, the latest equipment, or independent course rankings, we’ve got you covered.

If you want to read more about how you can help us and to donate, please CLICK HERE.