This is a treat. Even though Jack Nicklaus was the top player of his era, or any era, he had plenty of great Hall of Famers challenging him, including Lee Trevino.
Here’s the rundown from the Golf Channel:
The 1971 U.S. Open at famed Merion Golf Club featured one of the more dramatic battles in U.S. Open history when Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus went toe-to-toe in an intense 18-hole Monday playoff to crown that year’s national champion. For the first time since the tournament’s original airing in 1971, viewers will have the opportunity watch the drama and excitement unfold on television on GOLF’S GREATEST ROUNDS, Tuesday, May 28 at 8 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.
Golf Channel on NBC’s Dan Hicks will take viewers through the dramatic showdown between Trevino and Nicklaus at Merion Golf Club, featuring action from Sunday’s final round and Monday’s 18-hole playoff. Missing a six-footer on the 72nd hole to win in regulation, Trevino fell into a tie with Nicklaus and forced a Monday playoff. The tension on the first tee was thick but soon lifted as the ever-playful Trevino pulled a rubber snake from his golf bag, held it up for the gathered crowd to see and tossed it at Nicklaus, who broke out laughing.
GOLF’S GREATEST ROUNDS will return to Golf Channel after the U.S. Open on Tuesday, June 18 at 8 p.m. ET with Open Championship specials, beginning with Seve Ballesteros’ second Open Championship victory in 1984.