Tony Jacklin wins the US Open by seven strokes By PETER RYDE, Golf Correspondent Tony Jacklin, the 25-year-old British Open champion made golfing history yesterday at the Hazeltine golf club, Minnesota. by winning the United States Open championship. His rounds of 71, 70, 70, 70 and total of 281, were seven shots under par. and he finished seven strokes ahead of Dave Hill. 'Thousands of television view- ers ih this country watched the final six holes, which Jacklin played safely and without a mis- take. The American crowd ap- peared generous to the only British player in the field and one for whom they have always had a soft spot. At the 13th and 14th holes Jacklin appeared tense, but as he tackled the closing holes his smile reappeared in response to the applause, and on the 72nd green he holed from several yards for a birdie. What most impressed viewers in this coun- try must have been his courage and faultless play in circum- stances which have proved too much for many. The last home-based Briton to wvin the American Open was Ted Ray in 1920. In the past 50 years only Sarazen, Jones, Hogan, and Nicklaus have held the British and American titles at the same time. To a generation of Britons accustomed to anyone but one of their own winning the British, the idea of a Briton winning the American Open has been un- thinkable. Since Ted Ray's year the only non-American living outside that country to have Tony Jacklin holds the trophy and Vivien, his wife, the ?12,480 cheque. won it was Gary Player of South Africa in 1965. Jacklin has surely taken a step into the territory of the.immortals of the game. Perhaps the greatest single fac- tor in his success has been his ability to adapt himself to American conditions. It is this. rather than making the shots, that other Britons over there have found so hard. The Prime Minister, Mr. Heath, sent a messa ge of con- gratulation to Tonv Jacklin on his " magnificent victorv' Details, page 7. Tony Jacklin wins the US Open by seven strokes