1984 Open: Triumphant Roar

Major triumphs are often punctuated by unforgettable emotional reactions. Hale Irwin’s high-fiving victory lap at Medinah; Payne Stewart’s statuesque punchout at Pinehurst; Ben Crenshaw’s doubled-over sobs at Augusta; Larry Mize’s leaps; Tiger Woods’ many fist pumps; Arnie flinging his cap; Jack flinging his ball ... the list goes on.

But for sheer unbridled and authentic joy, Seve Ballesteros’s bouncing roar before punching the sky when his birdie putt tumbled over the edge of the cup at St. Andrews in 1984 is a standard that’s hard to beat.

“This was the happiest moment of my whole sporting life,” Ballesteros said in his autobiography. “My moment of glory, my most fantastic shot. So much so that picture of me gesturing in triumph is now the logo of my companies.”

Seve won five – and lost more – majors with such flamboyant audacity that it would seem impossible to rank them. But he called the 1984 Open Championship at the Old Course “my deepest emotional experience in my golfing life.” He was hungry to add his name to the ex...