Home

Bob Goalby, 1968 Masters champ, dies at 92

AAPReuters
Bob Goalby, here receiving his 1968 Masters green jacket, has died at the age of 92.
Camera IconBob Goalby, here receiving his 1968 Masters green jacket, has died at the age of 92. Credit: AP

Bob Goalby, dramatic winner of the 1968 Masters and a founding force behind the PGA Tour Champions, has died at age 92.

The 11-time tour winner's death on Wednesday in Belleville, Illinois, has been confirmed by the PGA Tour.

Goalby will always be remembered for being the winner of the 1968 edition of the Masters at Augusta in which Roberto De Vicenzo, of Argentina, famously signed an incorrect scorecard after the final round.

It mistakenly put De Vicenzo a stroke behind, instead of into a tie and a playoff round, gifting Goalby the title instead.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Goalby often recalled how winning the jacket that day had left him with no joy because of what had befallen De Vicenzo.

"The presentation ceremony wasn't what it could have been," Goalby told Golf Digest in a 2018 interview.

The Game AFL 2024

"I sat next to Roberto and did what I could to console him.

"There's video of me patting him on the leg. I felt no elation, nothing like you'd expect from winning the biggest tournament of your life.

"It was awkward. It was tragic for Roberto, but it was equally unfortunate for me.

"I never did get full credit for what I'd done. I played damned well, especially the last day."

Indeed, in that final round, Goalby birdied two holes and made an eagle at 15 to finish with a 66 and an 11-under 277 for the tournament.

He later would receive hate mail because of his innocent part in the drama, he once recalled, but he continued to play in the tournament annually until 1986.

Goalby had begun playing golf as a child and after high school, he was drafted into the Army in 1950. After his military commitment, he started playing professionally and was named the tour's rookie of the year in 1958.

He also worked for NBC as part of its golf broadcast team and was part of a group that pushed for the formation of a tour for players aged 50 and older. The PGA Tour Champions, as it is now known, was created in 1980.

Goalby also was the uncle of Jay Haas, who had nine career victories on the PGA Tour. Now 68, Haas also has 18 victories on the Champions tour.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails