Jack Newton: The golfer that walked into propeller has died

Jack Newton, the Australian golfer who lost to Tom Watson in a 1975 British Open play-off before his professional career ended in a near-fatal aircraft propeller accident, has died aged 72.

In the third round vs Tom Watson, Newton set a course record of 65, despite having injured an ankle so severely on the practice tee prior to the start of the championship, that he had it professionally wrapped each day, and was subjected to pain-killing injections.

In the final round, Jack Newton was the leader during the back-nine but dropped shots in three of the last four holes.

Tom Watson holed a 20-foot putt for a birdie on the 72nd hole to tie Newton.

In the next day’s 18-hole playoff, Tom Watson defeated Newton by one stroke (71-72).

Jack Newton later said that the turning point in the playoff was when Watson chipped in for an eagle at the 14th hole.

Jack Newton later on won the PGA Tour of Australia’s Order of Merit in 1979 and finished tied for second at the 1980 Masters Tournament behind the winner Seve Ballesteros.

Three years after finishing second at the 1980 Masters, specifically on 24 July 1983, during the height of his professional career, Jack Newton had a near-fatal accident when he walked into the spinning propeller of a Cessna airplane he was about to board at Sydney Airport.

A severe rainstorm was in progress at the time, and in addition, safety aspects near the plane were deficient.

Jack Newton lost his right arm and eye, and sustained severe abdominal injuries.

Immediately after the accident, doctors gave Jack Newton a 50-50 chance of surviving and he spent several days in a coma and eight weeks in intensive care.

After a prolonged rehabilitation from his injuries, Jack Newton returned to public life as a television and radio golf commentator, newspaper reporter, golf course designer, public speaker and Chairman of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation.

Jack Newton taught himself to play golf one-handed, swinging the club with his left hand in a right-handed stance.

According to statement by his family, Jack Newton died in the early hours of Friday (April 15, 2022) due to “health complications.”