After replacing the Shark, Larry Mize got down to business in Jamaica

The season ending Johnnie Walker Championship prides itself on difficulty of ending up in the 28 player field & 2.7 Million purse. At the halfway point of the event, two substitutes were in the lead, Larry Mize and Steve Elkington. Elkington was selected by the tournament committee to fill one of the slots created by players who won more than one of the qualifying tournaments.Larry Mize got into the event by way of Greg Norman, who withdrew opening up a spot. Mize and Normans name have been mentioned in the same breath many times before 1993. He miraculously beat Norman in a playoff during the conclusion of the 1987 Masters Tournament. Mize chipped in from about 50 yards off the green to continue Normans woes on major championships.



The 1993 Johnnie Walker Classic

Mize shot a spotless final-round 65 for a total of 266, 18 under par. That was 10 strokes better than Fred Couples, who closed with a 64 but was never a factor. In fact, no one else in the field of 28 players were ever a factor. He was never threatened. Colin Montgomerie, who started the day three shots back, self-destructed on the front nine, where he shot a 40 en route to a 74 final round. The tournament essentially was over when Mize finished playing the front nine in 32 strokes, the number he has averaged on that side for the four rounds.

“To win by this type of margin against this type of field, well, it has to rank up there with the best golf I’ve ever played,” said Mize, who collected a check for $550,000. “Guys would kill me if I didn’t say that, right?”

Mize got a lucky chance at took full advantage of the opportunity. With the 1987 Masters being the highlight of his career, without a doubt the 1993 season was his best. He won the Northern Telcom Open in January and the Buick Open in August before this season ending win.

[tweetthis]Larry Mize was a late substitute for Greg Norman & won the 1993 Johnnie Walker Championship by an amazing 10 strokes![/tweetthis]