S12, Ep 26 Part 2: The Fastest Round in Tour History and a Father’s Final Words

In Part 2 of this week’s episode of Next on the Tee, I’m joined by someone quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite guests—Bill Mallon. Bill’s remarkable journey through golf, medicine, and the story of tickets to the 1980 Winter Olympics that he gave to his father, is one you won’t want to miss.

A former standout amateur and 2x All-American at Duke, Bill captured 43 amateur titles, including the Massachusetts and New England Amateurs twice each. He played on the PGA Tour from 1975 to 1979 and teed it up in the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills—an event made unforgettable by winner Hubert Green playing through death threats, a moment Bill experienced firsthand.

After his time on Tour, Bill returned to Duke for medical school and went on to become one of the country’s top orthopedic surgeons. He also shares an unforgettable story about the time he and Gary McCord set the PGA Tour record for the fastest round ever played—finishing in just 1 hour and 26 minutes at Harbour Town in 1977, a developing story that caught the attention of TV cameras and eventually Commissioner Deane Beman.

We also dive into Bill’s passion as an Olympic historian, including a powerful and emotional story about gifting his father tickets to the 1980 Winter Olympics to see speed skating legend Eric Heiden—a moment that would become part of his father’s final words years later.

This is an episode filled with incredible stories, heartfelt moments, and the kind of perspective only someone like Bill Mallon can bring.