Thursday 28 September 2017 16:10, UK
Tony Jacklin has many career highlights that he is rightly very proud of and one of his most significant achievements happened 50 years ago - the first televised hole-in-one.
The chances of witnessing an ace on your television screen in 1967 were remote, as only the closing few holes were shown due to the complexities of live broadcasting back then.
But Jacklin etched his name into the record books with one pure swing of a seven-iron during the final round of the Dunlop Masters, his ball pitching short of the target and toppling into the hole before he went on to wrap up a three-shot victory.
"It came at an appropriate time, that's for sure," Jacklin told Sky Sports. "I had a slim lead at the time with three holes to go, and all of a sudden I had a bigger cushion with one shot! It was a critical moment and took the pressure off a little.
"It was a seven-iron from 165 yards, although it might have been playing a bit shorter than that in the conditions. I didn't actually see the ball go in the hole because the bottom of the pin was obscured by the front bunker.
"I knew when I hit it that it was on a good line, and then I just saw the reaction of the crowd around the green and could hear all the hollering and shouting from the tee! But when I watch the footage, I kind of shrugged my shoulders and it was a fairly casual reaction to be honest, although I still wasn't absolutely certain the ball had gone in the hole."
Jacklin, 73, looks back on 1967 as the "beginning of the big-time" for his career, earning his first trip to the Masters at Augusta and his first top-10 finish in a major with his fifth place in The Open at Royal Liverpool.
His British Masters win that year was followed by another in 1973, by which time he was a double major champion, and he is thrilled that one of his favourite events is now re-established on the European Tour and attracting big-name players.
"It's tremendous to see the strength of the field at Close House this week," added the four-time Ryder Cup captain. "The British Masters was always one of the most prestigious events in golf, and one of my favourites as I won two of them.
"Obviously The Open and the PGA Championship at Wentworth were big events for UK golf fans, but the British Masters was not far behind and attracted some huge stars from all over the world.
"I'm thrilled to see this tournament revived, and even better to see the big names like Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia supporting it this year. It's what golf needs in Europe, I think. I'm a traditionalist, and if you pick the right course and make sure they are properly prepared, the players will come.
"Prize money is important as well, and let's hope the tournament can get back to the level of prestige it used to have. I think it will be an excellent week for everyone at Close House.
"The crowds are also a huge factor. There are a few events I see on TV where crowds are sparse and there is barely any atmosphere at all. That's not good for the players or the viewers.
"That's not the case when events come to the UK. British galleries have been starved of top names in the last 10 or 15 years, so it's wonderful to see the revival. The crowds will turn out in force to see the big names, and it's all positive for the future."
