The Open - Chronicles of a Champion Golfer

From the wrong side of the tracks, to international fame and fortune, the golfing journey of Lee Trevino was like no other. Given his humble beginnings, the hurdles he was forced to clear, the many pieces of a complex jigsaw that needed to fall into place, this ‘Chronicle of a Champion Golfer’ almost defies belief.

An Open champion in three different decades, Gary Player is an intriguing study, the ultimate advert for the powers of will and perseverance. In his youth, the Black Knight was influenced by the wardrobe of a western movie character. As his career went from strength to strength, the abiding theme was true grit.

Widely regarded as Britain’s greatest golfer, Nick Faldo channeled a fierce work ethic and desire to succeed into the capture of six major titles. In this episode of ‘Chronicles of a Champion Golfer’ one of the modern game’s most recognisable figures intimately charts his path from introverted teenager to an obsessed professional, fully prepared to risk a comfortable livelihood in exchange for a possible upgrade from good to great.

This is the fascinating story of a trained accountant who became a national sporting hero, an analytical over-achiever who scaled the heights to become a double Open champion. The tale of Padraig Harrington is an inspiration to those who want but don’t believe.

This is much more than the story of one man’s dismantling of the Open Championship’s record books. Henrik Stenson’s coronation at Royal Troon in 2016 was bigger than any individual, a crowning achievement that brought admiration and amazement on a global scale. This ‘Chronicles of a Champion Golfer’ provides the perfect platform for the Iceman to thaw, to humanise the towering, almost super-human excellence that left Phil Mickelson wondering why his own brilliance had proved insufficient.

When his pride and joy was still at school, Gerry McIlroy and friends recognised genius and placed a bet. They wagered at big odds that, in the next ten years, Gerry’s boy, young Rory McIlroy would be anointed King of Golf by winning the Open. Yet, the bookmakers were mighty close to keeping the cash when McIlroy arrived at Royal Liverpool in 2014, a man on a mission. This ‘Chronicles of a Champion Golfer’ is the breathtaking account of McIlroy coming good, repaying his father’s faith and securing the prize he most craved, the Claret Jug.