Final Round
Four players shared the 54-hole lead, including Arnold Palmer, Julius Boros, Jerry Heard, and John Schlee. After shooting a 76 (+5) on Saturday, Miller started the final round six strokes back, in a tie for 13th place at three strokes over par, and few gave him any chance of winning. Miller birdied the first four holes, but after a bogey at the eighth, it certainly did not appear like he was on the brink of the greatest round in U.S. Open history. But he then birdied four of the next five holes, and after a par at 14 he found himself tied for the lead with Palmer, Boros, and Tom Weiskopf. At the 15th hole, Miller hit his approach to 10-feet and then converted for birdie to take solo possession of the lead. After just missing a birdie at 18 for a 62, Miller carded the first round of 63 in major championship history. Finishing well ahead of the last groups, Miller then waited to see if anyone would match him. Palmer fell out of contention with three consecutive bogeys to finish in a tie for fourth. Boros and Heard both shot 73 and finished in a tie for seventh. Only Schlee had a chance to tie Miller, but his 40-footer for birdie at the last stayed out.
In shooting 63, Miller hit all 18 greens in regulation and needed 29 putts. Ten of his approach shots wound up within 15 feet (5 m), while five were within 6 feet. His score was even more remarkable given that only three other players managed to even break 70 on the day.
Read more about this topic: 1973 U.S. Open (golf)
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