1971 US Open: Trevino, Nicklaus and the rubber snake

The 1971 US Open was held at Merion Golf Club with Lee Trevino taking the winner’s trophy after beating Jack Nicklaus in an 18 hole playoff.

The playoff is most famously known for the first tee incident involving a rubber snake.

Trevino’s daughter had placed the snake in the bag earlier and Trevino decided to take it to have some fun with the gallery. Nicklaus asked Trevino to toss it to him, rather than Trevino attempting to unsettle Nicklaus as was widely reported at the time.

Can you imagine Rory, Phil or even Tiger having this much fun on the opening tee of the playoff? Professional golf is not what it used to be.