Tony Jacklin CBE, the renowned British golfer who broke a 45-year European drought by winning the US Open in 1970, reflected recently on his career and financial journey. At 82, Jacklin remains an influential figure in golf, having also captained Europe to its first Ryder Cup victory in nearly three decades in 1985. His team repeated the feat in 1987, securing their first win on American soil. Jacklin now resides in Florida with his second wife, Astrid, near the Bradenton Golf Club, which he co-designed with Jack Nicklaus.
Jacklin’s path from humble beginnings in Scunthorpe to golfing stardom was shaped early by his upbringing. His father worked on the steelworks as a locomotive driver, earning no more than £10 a week, and his mother held a part-time market job. Jacklin, as a child, did not receive pocket money and supplemented his income with a paper round and weekend market work. Initially following many of his peers into a steelworks apprenticeship at 15, it was his victory at the Lincolnshire Open at age 16 that catalyzed his decision to pursue golf professionally.
Seeking opportunities, Jacklin secured a position as an assistant at Potters Bar Golf Club in Hertfordshire. His dedication and gradual improvement culminated in competing effectively in the 1963 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where he notably outscored Arnold Palmer in one round despite finishing 30th overall.
His most celebrated victories—winning The Open Championship in 1969 followed by the 1970 US Open—stand as milestones in golfing history. Jacklin is believed to be the only non-American to capture both majors within a 12-month period. The 1970 US Open win marked his peak professional year, bringing both a $30,000 prize and a lucrative promotional contract with Pan American Airways. Reflecting on today’s prize money, Jacklin expressed amazement at the substantial increase but stressed that maintaining good health has been his primary concern rather than amassing wealth.
Jacklin’s financial decisions over the years were influenced by changing political and economic climates. Frustrated by the UK government’s proposed 83 percent tax rate on worldwide income under Chancellor Denis Healey’s administration, he sold his prized Cotswolds estate at a significant loss in 1975 and relocated to Jersey. However, he found the island’s limited lifestyle and inconvenient travel options unsuitable, especially given his frequent trips to the United States.
A notable setback occurred in the late 1980s when Jacklin lost substantial funds invested in Lloyd’s of London during a financial scandal. Facing financial difficulties, he ultimately chose to move to the United States in 1993 to pursue opportunities on the senior golf circuit. He credits this move as one of his best decisions.
Jacklin describes himself as a spender rather than a saver, using money for enjoyment rather than accumulation. Despite never maintaining a bank balance of $1 million, he values the ability to use funds as they come. Today, beyond golfing, he remains active through after-dinner speaking engagements.