| | By Bob Carter
Special to
His life has had more twists and turns than the long-tormenting golf course at Augusta. Lee Trevino became one of his sport's legends as he followed a path peppered by curious contrasts and contradictions. A poor boy at the start, playing a rich man's game. An avid talker on the course, a near-loner off it. A defiant sort who snubbed Masters tournament officials, a soft touch who paid his former caddie's medical bills and gave a chunk of his first British Open title check to a nearby English orphanage. Trevino was struck by lightning in , which led to back surgery. Rich from golf, he lost millions in the s because of ill-advised investments. His passion for his sport cost him one marriage and left him out of touch with his children. | | Lee Trevino has won six majors and five Vardon Trophies in his career. |
Two more surgeries came later while on the PGA Senior Tour. "When it comes to the game of life," the father of six said, "I figure • Class of Lee TrevinoProfessional Player BiographyLee Trevino is one of the most popular players in the history of the game. When Trevino turned 17 in December , he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served four years as a machine gunner and was discharged in December as a corporal with the 3rd Marine Division. He spent part of his time playing golf with Marine Corps officers. After Trevino was discharged from the Marines, he went to work as a club professional in El Paso, Texas and joined the PGA Tour circuit in He was PGA Player of the Year. He won the and British Opens and six majors overall, including two U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships. He was a winner five Vardon Trophies, recognizing the tour’s scoring average leader. Lee was a member of six Ryder Cup teams, plus captaining in He was third only to Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson in career money. He won 29 PGA tournaments in all, plus an additional 29 on the now Champions tour. At age 50, Trev 
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