Australian golf nice Frank Phillips has died, aged 90

Australian golf nice Frank Phillips OAM has died, aged 90.

A winner of 23 skilled tournaments worldwide together with the Australian Open twice, Moss Vale-born Phillips died at a nursing residence in Bowral on Tuesday evening.

Phillips, a life member of the PGA since 2002 and thought to be one of many supreme ball strikers of his period, was famend for his devotion to the craft and his drive to succeed.

The nice Norman von Nida appreciated his recreation a lot that he took him away abroad.

A lot of Phillips’ success was in Asia, the place he received the Singapore Open in 1965 and the Hong Kong Open in 1966 and 1973.

“I appreciated enjoying within the Far East as a result of I had a spouse and three youngsters, and I may get residence comparatively rapidly. It took a really very long time to get residence from America. Touring was a problem, however I at all times loved it,” he mentioned a number of years in the past.

Phillips performed within the Masters twice, within the US Open and on the British Open, reaching his finest main championship end, twelfth at St Andrews in 1964.

Phillips received his first Australian Open at Kingston Heath in 1957 and his second at Victoria Golf Membership in 1961.

He additionally famously completed equal second with Jack Nicklaus behind Gary Participant within the Australian Open at Kooyonga in 1965.

Phillips was proud to have blended it with the likes of legends Nicklaus, Participant and Ben Hogan all through his profession.

“You watch, you hear and also you ask as many questions as you may,” he mentioned.

“I first met Gary Participant in England in 1956 and he had probably the worst golf swing I might ever seen. However he labored so arduous on the recreation, saved enhancing, received a few tournaments in England after which ended up profitable 9 majors, which was completely superb. He was a fierce competitor, which impressed me.”

Phillips is survived by his three kids Melissa, Frank Junior and Rodney, and a loving cluster of grandchildren and nice grandchildren. His devoted spouse Faye died in 1991.

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