Roberto De Vincenzo will be forever remembered as the only man to sign a scorecard that possibly cost him a Masters Green Jacket.
Those who follow the game of golf closely, will know that we lost a true gentleman and accomplished international star this week. He passed away on Thurday at the age of 94.
Roberto was inducted into the World Golf Hall Of Fame in 1989. Most don’t realize he was the winner of 230 world-wide events. Yes, 230!
His biggest win came in 1967 when he beat Jack Nicklaus by two shots to win the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. He also won the U.S. Senior Open at age 57.
Back in the day, you could watch him often on the old Shell’s Wonderful World Of Golf series. He was a magnificent ball striker and his iron play was second to none.
His sad career moment came back in 1968 when he signed an incorrect scorecard at The Masters, giving the jacket to Bob Goalby. Roberto had birdied the 17th hole but signed his card, kept by Tommy Aaron, that showed a par on the hole.
Always a humble man, he simply declared: “I am a stupid.”
The error would have never happened in today’s game where scorecards are scoured before they are signed. But Roberto was never “a stupid” as he referred to himself. He was the first man from Argentina to win a major championship and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His win total showed that.
He is regarded as one of the true pioneers of the sport in his country and one of the nicest men to ever play the game.
He will be missed and fondly remembered.