The 1969 PGA Championship was played August 14th-17th on the South Course of the NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. The tournament was won by Raymond Floyd, his first of four Majors.
In Dan Jenkins book, “Unplayable Lies”, he tells the story of a brief interaction between Dave Marr and “The King,” Arnold Palmer, after the first day (and Arnold’s last day, as he withdrew from the event) of the 1969 PGA Championship. Arnold Palmer, known for his swashbuckling, hard charging, take no prisoners approach was an avid smoker on and off the course (an accepted practice at the time). “When trying to quit smoking, Arnold Palmer shot an 82 in the PGA Championship on the NCR course in Dayton, which prompted Dave Marr’s comment to Arnie, “Arnold, you gave up smoking and golf the same week.”
Conversely, in Bucky Albers Dayton Daily News article (updated on September 26, 2016), “Palmer Left Lasting Dayton Impression” he states, “Palmer played in the PGA Championship at the NCR Country Club but exited when he suffered a hip injury and struggled to an 82.”
Hmmmmm, was the early exit due to a hip injury or a tobacco free day?!
Arnold’s first win in 1969 came at the Heritage Golf Classic on November 30th, shooting a 283 (-1 round). Arnold followed with a back to back win at the Danny Thomas-Diplomat Classic on December 7th, shooting a 270 (-18 round).
Our crack research staff back at the “Home Office” was unable to determine if nicotine was or was not involved in the late November/early December wins however, Dan Jenkins commented in “Unplayable Lie” that Arnold Palmer never won a golf tournament after he “officially” quit smoking
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