The Art of Distraction: How Lee Trevino’s Ingenious Plan of Bribery Helped Him Outshine Jack Nicklaus on the PGA Tour Champions”
“The Art of Distraction: How Lee Trevino’s Ingenious Plan of Bribery Helped Him Outshine Jack Nicklaus on the PGA Tour Champions”
Lee Trevino, a name synonymous with wit and golfing prowess, has long been celebrated not only for his skill on the greens but also for his incredible ability to captivate an audience with his storytelling. Known as one of the sport’s most colorful characters, Trevino has a history of bringing humor, intelligence, and strategy to the game of golf. Yet, his recent revelation about a clever scheme involving Jack Nicklaus’ wife, Barbara, might be one of his best stories to date—and it’s a hilarious reminder that Trevino’s legendary status isn’t just due to his six major titles.
Trevino’s story begins in 1989, when he was about to enter a new phase of his career on the PGA Tour Champions. By the end of that year, he was turning 50, officially making him eligible to play in the senior circuit. As a dominant figure with major championship credentials, Trevino’s presence was already expected to be one of the biggest draws on the senior tour. However, just as he was preparing to make waves, a familiar face loomed in his future—the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus.
Nicklaus, who was one of Trevino’s fiercest competitors during their prime on the PGA Tour, was only slightly younger and had a 50th birthday approaching in early 1990. His entry into the senior ranks threatened to shift the spotlight away from Trevino, who was all too aware of how Nicklaus’ presence could impact his own success. Not only was Nicklaus a global icon, but his incredible achievements included 18 major championships, a feat still unmatched in golf history. Knowing full well that Nicklaus could easily steal his thunder on the senior tour, Trevino devised an ingenious—and downright mischievous—plan to keep his longtime rival occupied elsewhere.
Ahead of this week’s inaugural Simmons Bank Championship, Trevino shared the tale with a grin, revealing just how far he went to ensure he could dominate the senior circuit. “I actually talked to Nicklaus’ manager and his wife, and you can ask Barbara,” Trevino said with a chuckle. “I told Barbara, ‘Listen, for every tournament that I enter, if you keep Jack at home, I’ll send you a dozen roses.’” The sheer brilliance of Trevino’s scheme lay in its simplicity and audacity. By creating a “bribe” system that revolved around Nicklaus’ wife, Barbara, Trevino cleverly used his charm and sense of humor to gain a potential advantage on the tour.
With Barbara as his unofficial ally, Trevino soon put his plan into action. Over the course of that year, he entered one tournament after another, fully committed to making 1990 a season to remember. And as promised, for every event he participated in, he sent a dozen roses to Barbara as a token of thanks for keeping Jack occupied elsewhere. “And that year I played 38 tournaments and sent Barbara Nicklaus 30 dozen roses, because she kept him home for 30 of the tournaments,” Trevino recalled with a laugh. “And I was leading money winner that year.”
Although some of Trevino’s memory of the numbers might be a bit hazy—it was, after all, more than three decades ago—the results of his 1990 season speak for themselves. Official records reveal that Trevino actually played in 28 tournaments that year, securing seven wins and finishing in the top two an astonishing 15 times. On the other hand, Nicklaus, with his limited appearances, only competed in four events, winning half of them but leaving the door wide open for Trevino to seize the spotlight.
While Trevino may have slightly embellished the number of tournaments he played or roses he sent, his point remains true. By keeping Nicklaus off the tour for most of the season, Trevino maximized his opportunities to showcase his talent and establish his dominance. His tactic worked brilliantly, as he led the tour in earnings with nearly $1.2 million—a staggering amount at the time, making it the most lucrative year of his career. The payoff from those roses was far more than sentimental; they helped Trevino build his reputation on the PGA Tour Champions and allowed him to cement his legacy as a senior golf icon.
This humorous and almost absurd scheme is quintessential Trevino, highlighting his unique blend of strategy, charm, and competitive spirit. The “Merry Mex” managed to turn what could have been a season overshadowed by Nicklaus’ debut into one of the most profitable and memorable years of his entire career. His approach showed that sometimes, in the world of sports, a little humor and creativity can make all the difference.
As fans look back on this iconic season, Trevino’s clever ploy only adds to the legend of a man who was always willing to push boundaries in his pursuit of greatness. With each swing, each laugh, and each dozen roses sent, Lee Trevino proved that golf is not just a game of skill but a game of wit, charm, and dash of mischief.
