David Graham

Nicklaus, in his first week back in the US since his British Open victory, birdied four of the last five holes for a 66 to move into contention in the tournament that he won back-to-back in 1964 and '65.

Those at 67 included Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Bill Rogers, Mike Morley, David Graham, Bruce Lipsky, local area pro Dick Smith, and tour rookie Jim Neupert, a 24-year-old native of British Columbia who turned to golf because he wanted to be a pro in some sport.

In the back at 68 was this year's top money winner, Andy Bean.

Current Open champion Andy North shot a 70.

sponsors

in Japan there, and I got a phone call when I got back, and it was like David Graham, and I thought, this is a joke.

There's no way this is because he was captain of the team.

And he said, would you be interested in flying over to D.C. today? We've got tickets for you and your caddy at the airport.

But yeah, so I got a hold of him and then we flew to DC and by the time we got there, I was told Greg Norman was going to pull out from, he had had a surgery.

Wow.

So I took his place and I played so well in the practice days that David Graham said, I'm going to pair you up with Nick Price just because you're making more birdies than anyone.

And it was fascinating because we got on the first tee.

Um, and so we have our course, we have our event, we have our name.

Uh, David Graham was selected as captain for the international team, so it feels like we're on our way for the very first President's Cup of September 1994.

And I couldn't be more excited, Jamie.

[laughs]

That first year, '94, the US won 20 to 12, which sounds like a blowout, and it is, but it was actually kinda closer at the end.

But maybe the most exciting thing that happened was Greg Norman showing up.

He gets there, uh, David Graham, who hates him, um, you know, talked to him, and Greg Norman's like, "I, I might get mic'd up by CBS here."

[laughs]

Some great Australians at the President's Cup over the years.

David Graham, captain of the inaugural international team in 1994.

Peter Thompson, captain of the only winning international team in 1998.

Greg Norman was a captain in 2009 and 2011.

Frank Beard is at 137, a stroke behind.

Two off the pace, David Graham and Hale Irwin at 138 and at 139.

Mike Hill, Jack Nicklaus, Nate Starks, Gene Littler, Lee Elder, and Bob Murphy.

At 140, Charles Cootey, Buddy Allen, and Bruce Devlin.

Frank Beard is at 137, a stroke behind.

Two off the pace, David Graham and Hale Irwin at 138 and at 139.

Mike Hill, Jack Nicklaus, Nate Starks, Gene Littler, Lee Elder, and Bob Murphy.

At 140, Charles Cootey, Buddy Allen, and Bruce Devlin.

Nicholas, in his first week back in the U.S. since his British Open victory, birdied four of the last five holes for a 66 to move into contention in the tournament that he won back-to-back in 1964-65.

Those at 67 included Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Bill Rogers, Mike Morley, David Graham, Bruce Lipsky, local area pro Dick Smith, and tour rookie Jim Nilford, a 24-year-old native of British Columbia who turned to golf because he wanted to be a pro in some sport.

And back at 68 was this year's top money winner, Andy Bean.

Current Open champion Andy North shot a 70.

This particular round of golf goes into Australian golf legend status, and that is Merriam US Open final round.

David Graham hit every single green at that golf course.

So I reckon on the strength of that, and plus I used to watch him play a lot.

Every time he came to Melbourne, I used to go and watch David Graham play.

He hit them as crisp as anybody.

Yeah.

Let's put David Graham.

I never saw him play live, unfortunately.

If it's not here in the Northern Hemisphere, well, it's with our friends down under.

We've got plenty of those like David Graham, Nick O'Hearn, Bruce Devlin, Frank Nabilo, to name just a few, who either currently lived or used to live down there.

If you've ever wondered what it must be like to play in shorts on Christmas, well, they can tell us.

Plus, great stories know no season.

Hmm

... and watching it when it was Greg Norman, David Graham, and I think, uh, Roger Davis-

Hmm

... maybe Wayne Grady, or, you know, just, ju- it was always fabulous to see.