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Ngle: praised modern stars

In those days the money wasn't around like it is now. I think when I won the British Open I got £1,100 - but I was glad to get it!

Kel Nagle
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Australian golfer Kevin "Kel" Nagle told Golf Night about the highlights of his career and said the European Tour has changed beyond all belief.

Nagle, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in December, is best known for winning The Open in 1960 when he stunned the golfing world by claiming the Claret Jug even though he had never finished in the top 10 at a major championship before.

Golf Night's Wayne Riley ventured down under to catch up with Nagle, who explained why the European Tour was a very different beast back then compared to what it is today.

He said: "The European Tour was fairly low-key compared to what it is today. You made your own way, you paid your own air fare and hotel expenses wherever you went and you paid for your caddies too.

"We used to play in England for about two-and-a-half months and then go back through the USA to play five or six tournaments and then come home and play in Australia.

"In those days the money wasn't around like it is now. It's fantastic and it's getting better and better for them. I think when I won the British Open I got £1,100 - but I was glad to get it!"

Greats

Nagle also shared his opinions on the greatest players of all time, mentioning the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead in his all-time list of greats.

But he also had praise for the stars of today, particularly Tiger Woods, and said he thought the sport had a bright future.

He said: "You'd have to say Jack Nicklaus was the greatest for majors, but I loved watching Sam Snead play and Ben Hogan in later life still struck the ball beautifully - even though his putting was bad.

"Our own Peter Thomson didn't play a lot in the States, but if he got a sniff he could win then he had a terrific head on him for golf.

"And of course watching the box these days, I've got no idea how far Tiger Woods will go - and then you've got all these young kids coming along trying to knock him off.

"I think golf's in great hands really."

To see more from Golf Night's chat with Kel Nagle, including his memories of his famous Open win, click on the video in the top right of your screen.