
Lee Buck Trevino (born December 1, 1939) is an American retired professional golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history. He was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981. Trevino won six major championships and 29 PGA Tour events over the course of his career.
How many majors has Lee Trevino won?
Lee Trevino. He was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981. Trevino won six major championships and 29 PGA Tour events over the course of his career. He is one of only four players to twice win the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship. The only major that eluded him was the Masters Tournament.
When did Lee Trevino win the Open Championship?
Lee Trevino won the prestigious 100th Open, held at Royal Birkdale in 1971, he prevailed by 1 stroke over Taiwanese golfer Lu Liang-Huan. From humble origins in Dallas, via a stint with the US Marines and an assistant’s position in El Paso, Lee Trevino became one of the best golfers in the world.
How many wins does Vic Trevino have on the PGA Tour?
During his career, Trevino won 29 times on the PGA Tour, including six majors. He was at his best in the early 1970s, when he was Jack Nicklaus 's chief rival. He won the money list title in 1970, and had six wins in 1971 and four wins in 1972 .
How did Jose Trevino become so good at golf?
While at an El Paso club in the mid-1960s, the then-unknown Trevino battled the already famous Ray Floyd over three titanic days in one of the most legendary gambling matches in golf history. They came out even. Trevino found his way onto the PGA Tour in 1967, and quickly established himself as one of the best.
See more

How many Masters tournaments did Lee Trevino play in?
Trevino maintained that he didn't play in the Masters because he was convinced he couldn't play the course. He held the 36-hole lead there twice over the years, and was ahead with nine holes to play one year.
Did Lee Trevino ever win The Players Championship?
The seventh Tournament Players Championship, it was the fourth at Sawgrass and Lee Trevino won at 278 (−10), one stroke ahead of runner-up Ben Crenshaw.
How many times has Lee Trevino been struck by lightning on the golf course?
Thing is, despite lightning being about five times hotter than the sun, according to NASA, most people struck by lightning survive, up to 90%. Lee Trevino, winner of six major championships and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, was struck by lightning three times on the golf course and survived.
How far did Arnold Palmer Drive?
3,305 yards“He just stared back at me and said, 'No, suh, you hit dat 2 iron fat,'” Palmer says. His ace distances range from 122 to 245 yards for a total of 3,305 yards or about 1.8 miles of unbroken magic. He's had aces in 11 different states, two countries, during six months with every standard club except driver and putter.
How many times did Lee Trevino win British Open?
More about Lee Trevino's Major wins. In total Trevino won 6 Major Championships and 29 PGA Tour events. He is one of only four players to twice win the US Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Tour Championship. The Masters was the only major he never won.
Which golfer has been struck by lightning the most?
'The Electricity Stopped My Heart': Lee Trevino Once Explained How He Survived a Lightning StrikeLee Trevino has won 29 PGA tours and six major championship victories in his career and is considered as one of the greatest golfers. ... However, apart from this, Trevino is also famous for an unfortunate incident.More items...•
Who said even God can't hit a one iron?
Lee TrevinoAfter being struck by lightning in 1975 at the Western Open, Lee Trevino advised golfers caught in storms to hold up a 1-iron because "not even God can hit a 1-iron."
What famous golf legend has been struck by lightning?
At the PGA Championship he won the fifth of his six major championships. He won the title by a stroke, again over Nicklaus, the fourth and final time Nicklaus was a runner-up in a major to Trevino. At the Western Open near Chicago in 1975, Trevino was struck by lightning, and suffered injuries to his spine.
Which golfer has been struck by lightning the most?
'The Electricity Stopped My Heart': Lee Trevino Once Explained How He Survived a Lightning StrikeLee Trevino has won 29 PGA tours and six major championship victories in his career and is considered as one of the greatest golfers. ... However, apart from this, Trevino is also famous for an unfortunate incident.More items...•
Who said even God can't hit a one iron?
Lee TrevinoAfter being struck by lightning in 1975 at the Western Open, Lee Trevino advised golfers caught in storms to hold up a 1-iron because "not even God can hit a 1-iron."
Has any golfer been struck lightning?
Plenty of others decided to brave the conditions, but the day ended with Trevino being taken to hospital alongside fellow professionals Jerry Heard and Bobby Nichols after being hit by lightning bolts while on the course.
How much is Jack Nicholson the golfer worth?
Jack Nicklaus Net WorthNet Worth:$400 MillionDate of Birth:Jan 21, 1940 (82 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)Profession:Golfer, Architect, Athlete1 more row
What was Trevino's best golfing result?
After his opening round 67 in 1989, Trevino tied for eighteenth; his best career result at the Masters was a tie for tenth ( 1975, 1985 ).
How many wins did Trevino have in 1972?
He was at his best in the early 1970s, when he was Jack Nicklaus 's chief rival. He won the money list title in 1970, and had six wins in 1971 and four wins in 1972 . Trevino had a remarkable string of victories during a 20-day span in the summer of 1971.
What comedy did Trevino appear in?
Trevino made a notable cameo appearance in the comedy Happy Gilmore .
How many times did Trevino play in the Ryder Cup?
Trevino played for the United States in the Ryder Cup six times ( 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1981 ), and had an impressive 17–7–6 (.667) record. He also served as team captain in 1985.
What did Trevino do at age 5?
At age 5, he started working in the cotton fields. Trevino was introduced to golf when his uncle gave him a few golf balls and an old golf club. He then spent his free time sneaking into nearby country clubs to practice and began as a caddie at the Dallas Athletic Club, near his home. He soon began caddying full-time.
Where was Joe Trevino born?
Trevino was born in Garland, Texas, into a family of Mexican ancestry. He was raised by his mother, Juanita Trevino, and his grandfather, Joe Trevino, a gravedigger. Trevino never knew his father, Joseph Trevino, who left when his son was small. During his childhood, Trevino occasionally attended school and worked to earn money for the family.
Who won the PGA Championship in 1975?
At the PGA Championship he won the fifth of his six major championships. He won the title by a stroke, again over Nicklaus, the fourth and final time Nicklaus was a runner-up in a major to Trevino. At the Western Open near Chicago in 1975, Trevino was struck by lightning, and suffered injuries to his spine.
Who is Lee Trevino?
Lee Trevino is regarded as one of the greatest players and characters in golf history. He was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981. In total Trevino won 6 Major Championships and 29 PGA Tour events.
When did the first golfer shoot under par?
1972 The Open Championship (278 / -6) 1974 PGA Championship (276 / -4) 1984 PGA Championship (271 / -15) In 1968 Travino was the first player to shoot under par in all 4 rounds of a the US Open.
How many times has Lee Trevino won a tournament?
Here is the list of golf tournaments won by Lee Trevino on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. He won 29 times on each tour.
When did Lee Trevino win the British Open?
Lee Trevino in 1971 after winning the first of his back-to-back British Open titles. A. Jones/Express/Getty Images
Who was the famous golfer who played with Ray Floyd?
While at an El Paso club in the mid-1960s, the then-unknown Trevino battled the already famous Ray Floyd over three titanic days in one of the most legendary gambling matches in golf history. They came out even. Trevino found his way onto the PGA Tour in 1967, and quickly established himself as one of the best.
Who is Lee Trevino?
Brent Kelley. Updated May 25, 2019. Lee Trevino was one of the other greats of the Jack Nicklaus era in PGA Tour history, a 6-time major champion whose career was interrupted by injuries suffered after he was struck by lightning. Despite that, Trevino's achievements place him among the game's greats.
Who was Trevino's father?
Trevino was born into poverty and never knew his father. He was raised by his mother and his grandfather, a gravedigger . Lee began working at a very early age, toiling in the Texas cotton fields as young as age 5.
How many majors did Jack Nicklaus win?
He won the 1968 U.S. Open, and from then until around 1974 was a dominant force. He won all but one of his six majors during that span, and four scoring titles. His 1971 U.S. Open victory is his best-known, as he defeated Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff for the win.
Who was the best golfer in the world in 1972?
Muirfield, 1972. Muirfield, 1972. From humble origins in Dallas, via a stint with the US Marines and an assistant’s position in El Paso, Lee Trevino became one of the best golfers in the world. In his early days he played matches just to make money.
How many majors did Jack Nicklaus win?
He went on to win six majors – the US Open, The Open and the PGA Championship twice each – and on four of those occasions he beat Jack Nicklaus into second place. The first time was the 1968 US Open when he became the first player to win a Major with four rounds under 70.
Who won the 1971 Royal Birkdale?
Lee Trevino won the prestigious 100th Open, held at Royal Birkdale in 1971, he prevailed by 1 stroke over Taiwanese golfer Lu Liang-Huan.
How many tournaments did Trevino win?
Trevino won his final of six major tournaments 35 years ago Monday. His legacy is long on the course, but it’s especially long off of it, and his friends and former competitors all have tall tales to share about the man they call “Super Mex.”. By Elizabeth Nelson Aug 19, 2019, 6:30am EDT.
Why is Lee Trevino Day celebrated?
It’s the summer of 1971, and the city of El Paso has declared it Lee Trevino Day in honor of the city’s most decorated transplant resident.
Why is Trevino so beloved?
Trevino was known for poking as much fun at others as he did at himself, which is part of why he became so beloved. “You don’t see that today,” Watson said. “There just aren’t that many players that do it.” But while that attitude endeared him to many of his former competitors, they also agree that much of Trevino’s comportment, both on and off the course—where his penchant for partying was conspicuous—wouldn’t fly in the context of the modern PGA Tour.
How old was Trevino when he was knocked out?
Trevino was 36 years old at the time, already a five-time major champion, and he’d never had much use for caution. In this instance, however, he could have used some. A lightning strike skipped off the lake, carried through his metal clubs and directly up his spine. He was knocked out immediately, and when he came to, Trevino had no feeling in his left side. He was gasping for air and his back was covered with burns. By the time he reached the emergency room, the situation seemed dire enough that he requested to speak to his wife, Claudia, over the phone, just in case goodbyes were in order. She asked him in a shaky voice: “How do you feel?” Struggling to draw a breath, the 5-foot-7 Trevino responded: “Sensational. For the first time in my life I was 6-foot-2.”
What is the theme of Trevino's story?
But inevitably one of the crucial themes of his story is social mobility . His default setting has always been to diffuse the pain of the discrimination and poverty he faced early in his life with humor and hard work, but that doesn’t mean the pain wasn’t there. Trevino’s capacity to integrate the self-made ethos of his early struggles with a notoriety that would cause him to rub shoulders with superstar celebrities and influential politicians is nearly as remarkable as his accomplishments on the course. The psychological whiplash must have been nearly as powerful as that lightning strike in 1975. Even as his fame grew, rejection was common. Even after achieving fame, Trevino preferred to stay in motels on the seedy side of town. That’s where he felt most welcome.
What is the paradox with Trevino?
The paradox with Trevino is that, for a figure as universally celebrated and handsomely embroidered into the fabric of golf history, it is impossible to discuss his career without recognizing his status as a consummate outsider.
Where was Trevino born?
Trevino was born in 1939. In his early years he was raised by his mother and grandfather in a four-room shack in North Dallas. They lacked indoor plumbing and running water. Trevino never knew his father, but he doesn’t sweat it overly much: “It’s not a sensitive subject,” he wrote. “Everybody knows. Reality is reality.”
How old was Trevino when he played the 1984 PGA?
When Trevino arrived at Shoal Creek, the location of the 1984 PGA, in Birmingham, Alabama he was 44 years old, and many believed that his best days were behind him.
What is the quote that Trevino said about his golfing career?
Toward the end of his career, Trevino summed up his golfing journey with another quote that encompasses the humor of the golfer: “I’ve been hit by lightning and been in the Marine Corps for four years. I’ve traveled the world and been about everywhere you can imagine. There’s not anything I’m scared of except my wife.”
Why did Trevino's father leave the family?
Trevino’s father left the family shortly after Lee was born leaving the golfer to be pressed into helping his family early in life, working the local cotton fields at the age of 5. Several years later, Lee discovered golf after his uncle gave him an old club and a few golf balls. After falling in love with the game, ...
Did Nicklaus beat Trevino?
So looking for an answer to help his problem, Trevino discovered a putter in the attic of a friend. He took the putter to Tanglewood Park Golf Course and proceeded to only have one three-putt over the four-round tournament. Trevino once again defeated Nicklaus by one stroke to claim the title.
How many Opens did Trevino play?
Trevino, who played in 26 Opens and won a second claret jug in ‘72, says Birkdale is one of the easiest courses for American players to adapt to.
Who won the 71 Open at Birkdale?
Lee Trevino has fond memories of Royal Birkdale, the wind-whipped links in northwest England that next week will play host the 146th Open Championship. He edged Taiwan’s Lu Liang-Huan, aka Mr. Lu, to win the ’71 Open at Birkdale by a stroke and in two other Opens there finished 5th (’83) and 15th (’91).

Overview
Lee Buck Trevino (born December 1, 1939) is an American retired professional golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history. He was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981. Trevino won six major championships and 29 PGA Tour events over the course of his career. He is one of only four players to twice win the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA …
Early life
Trevino was born in Garland, Texas, into a family of Mexican ancestry. He was raised by his mother, Juanita Trevino, and his grandfather, Joe Trevino, a gravedigger. Trevino never knew his father, Joseph Trevino, who left when his son was small. During his childhood, Trevino occasionally attended school and worked to earn money for the family. At age 5, he started working in the cotton fields.
Professional career
After Trevino was discharged from the Marines, he went to work as a club professional in El Paso, Texas. He made extra money by gambling for stakes in head-to-head matches. He qualified for the U.S. Open in 1966, made the cut, and tied for 54th, earning $600. He qualified again in 1967 and shot 283 (+3), eight shots behind champion Jack Nicklaus, and only four behind runner-up Arnold P…
Distinctions and honors
• Trevino was the first player to shoot all four regulation rounds under par at the U.S. Open. At Oak Hill in 1968, Trevino played rounds of 69-68-69-69.
• A major street in El Paso, Texas was named Lee Trevino Drive in his honor, and streets in Rio Rancho and Belen, New Mexico were also named for him.
Humor
Throughout his career, Trevino was seen as approachable and humorous, and was frequently quoted by the press. Late in his career, he remarked, "I played the tour in 1967 and told jokes and nobody laughed. Then I won the Open the next year, told the same jokes, and everybody laughed like hell."
At the beginning of Trevino's 1971 U.S. Open playoff against Jack Nicklaus, he threw a rubber sn…
U.S. national team appearances
Professional
• Ryder Cup: 1969 (tied), 1971 (winners), 1973 (winners), 1975 (winners), 1979 (winners), 1981 (winners), 1985 (non-playing captain)
• World Cup: 1968, 1969 (winners, individual winner), 1970, 1971 (winners), 1974
See also
• Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps
• List of golfers with most PGA Tour Champions wins
• List of golfers with most Champions Tour major championship wins
• List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins
Further reading
Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas (1995). The Mexican American Family Album. New York: Oxford University Press. ASIN B004HOS1EC.
Tour Victories
Awards and Honors
Famous Quotations
Trivia
Lee Trevino Biography
Trevino's PGA Tour Victories
- 1968 U.S. Open Hawaiian Open 1969 Tucson Open Invitational 1970 Tuscon Open Invitational National Airlines Open Invitational 1971 Tallahassee Open Invitational Danny Thomas Memphis Classic U.S. Open Canadian Open British Open Sahara Invitational 1972 Danny Thomas Memphis Classic British Open Greater Hartford Open Invitational Greater St. Louis Golf...
Trevino's Champions Tour Wins