Australian golfer Jack Newton dies at age 72

According to the Associated Press on Friday, Australian golf star Jack Newton of Cessnock, Australia passed away at the age of 72. Even though the cause of death has not officially been announced, Newton had been suffering from Alzheimer’s.

During his time as a professional golfer, Newton won once on the PGA Tour. That came at the 1978 Buick-Goodwrench Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan when he beat American Mike Sullivan in a playoff.

Newton also lost to Tom Watson of the United States in a playoff at the 1975 British Open in Carnoustie. For Watson, that was the first major golf title of his career. He went on to win five British Opens and eight major titles. In addition to finishing in second place at the 1975 British Open, Newton finished second at the 1980 Masters, which was won by Spain’s Seve Ballesteros.

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On the European Tour, Newton also had success. He won the 1972 Dutch Open, the 1972 Benson & Hedges Festival of Golf in England, and the 1974 Benson & Hedges Matchplay Championship, where he beat Cesar Sanudo of Mexico 2 & 1 in the final. Meanwhile in his homeland of Australia, Newton also won thrice on the PGA Tour of Australasia. He won the 1976 and 1979 New South Wales Open, and the 1979 Australian Open.

Tragically, Newton’s golf career came to an end in 1983. While getting off a plane in Sydney. Newton accidentally walked into the spinning propeller of an airplane at the Sydney Airport. He ended up losing his right arm and eye. Jack’s son Clint meanwhile was a professional rugby player from 2001 to 2015. He played nine of those seasons with the Newcastle Knights.

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