Customer Reviews

Duel in the Sun: Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in the Battle of Turnberry

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Michael Corcoran leads the reader on an exciting journey as he details the theatrics provided by Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at the '77 Open at Turnberry. The descriptive detail provided by Corcoran brings the classic matchup of two of golf's all-time greats to life. Corcoran's factual, yet extremely entertaining account of 1977's "Duel In The Sun" results from his unique ability to present the intricacies of The Open Championship with the elegance and flare reminiscent of P. G. Wodehouse or Bernard Darwin and the explicit clarity of John Feinstein. This book is highly recommended by this reader.

Even the most casual sports fan will love this book. Like Laura Hillenbrand did in Sea Biscuit, Corcoran breathes life into an epic moment in sports history, the duel between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson in the 1977 British Open. The writing makes you feel like you're right there during the twists and turns of the tournament, getting to peek inside the heads of the athletes during the most pressure-filled moments. And the story is terrific... two golfers at the top of their game, battling a course that none of their competitors could handle. This book was really top-notch.

This is the best golf book I've read in several years. The author makes exciting an event which took place more than a quarter-century ago, and that's no easy chore. The minor characters are just as interesting and entertaining as Nicklaus and Watson. Corcoran weaves together geography, history, psychology and more as he tells the story of the greatest mano a mano golf showdown ever. Corcoran does an excellent job of building drama and tension page by page, until finally a winner is revealed. I couldn't put it down! In fact, I read it twice in two days. Buy this book for yourself or for the golf nut you know. You won't be disappointed.

This is a highly entertaining book, not only about the incredible duel between Watson and Nicklaus, but also touches on the history of the British Open, or, as it is known every else in the worls as simply The Open. It also touches on all the other great players of the day...Trevino, Miller, Floyd, Palmer, Ballesteros, Crenshaw, Norman and others not as well known.
The book gives an accurate portrait of Watson as a player, who rather than cower at the presense of Nicklaus on the leaderboard (as did most other players of the day other than Lee Trevino and as all golfers of today shrink at the sight of Tiger Woods) shows that Watson had supreme confidence in his own game to not only play with Nicklaus, but to emerge as the Open champuion with an all time record low score. The book also shows what a truly classy gentleman Jack Nicklaus is, along with being the greatest golfer ever.
I would reccomend this book to any golf or sports fan.

I am a 31 year old former college golfer. I am a history buff of all sports but I really didn't know my golf history as well as i should. This book really helped me. The book details Palmer, Player, Trevino, Nicklaus, Watson and a host of others. You also learn the detailed history of the British Open or as they call it "The Open" The detail of how the British cadies talk is alone worthy as a reason to read this. If you are a golf fan this is a 5 star book if you are not a golf fan I would not recommend it. Although I wouldn't want to dress like they did in the 1970's ; this book made you wish that you did grow up then.

The storytelling and the quality of writing in this book are excellent. You won't want it to end.

This book is very poorly written and organized. It is a rambling piece that covers a number of subjects other than the "Duel in the Sun" in a very disorganized manner. The commentary etc. of the actual "Duel in the Sun" comes along after about 2/3 of the book, and presents virtually nothing insightful.