Getting In The Mood For Birkdale: 1971, Trevino And Mr. Lu

Birkdale was also site of Lee Trevino versus Mr. Lu, the blue-hat-wearing (and pulling it off) Lu Liang-huan, who lost the 1971 Open by a stroke.

Sportsmail Reporter caught up with Mr. Lu prior to the 2008 Open Championship and he was still haunted by his ball striking a female gallery member, as seen in the recap film below.

Lu Liang-huan, now aged 73, treated Lillian Tipping and her husband to an all expenses paid holiday to his home country after the incident on the final hole of the 1971 championship in which he finished runner-up to Lee Trevino.


'This time I cannot make it, but I'll never forget that day,' he said. 'When I go back next time maybe we can meet up. I would like to see her again.'

Lu is more into course designing than playing these days - including work on what he describes as 'the best 10 in Japan and one in China' - but was happy to report that he can still compete on his day.
In one round last year, he added: 'I shot 66. Seven birdies, one bogey. Now I'd be lucky to shoot 100, but I hope that my body will allow me to continue to play. I need the exercise.'

The Open highlight film: