Golf Central

It was on this day in 1931, in the searing 105 degree heat, that Billy Burke and George Von Elm scuttled back to the clubhouse at Ohio's Inverness club to grab a cold drink and some rest before the following day's playoff. After 72 holes, both players were tied on 292 and competed in what turned out to be a marathon battle.

After 36 holes of playoff golf, there was nothing to separate the two players at 149 (seven over par). Another 36 holes later, Burke finally emerged victorious by one stroke (148 to 149). The US Open victory kicksarted what would be Burke's finest season, in which he reached the semi-finals of the PGA Championship, won four professional tour events and appeared on the Ryder Cup team, where he boasted a perfect record of two for two.

12 years later in 1943, a New York City golf professional was arrested for operating a gambling game in which golfers tried to win a new ball after giving up an old one. Unlike us, he was clearly unaware that golf and crime don't mix...

In a dusty bullring, on this day in 1947, Manolete, the greatest bullfighter in history, died after being gored in the leg by his fifth bull of the day. Rising to prominence after the Spanish Civil War, he excelled at the kill and was famous for standing close to the bull and performing five passes in succession without moving out of the way. In response to his death, General Franco ordered three days of national mourning, with only funeral dirges heard on the radio.

Oh yeah, and it's also American Independence Day.

So it's Feliz Cumplea–os! as they say in Spain to LPGA player, Suzanne Strudwick (43), lovely day crooner Bill Withers (70), peace activist Ron Kovic (62) and the so far past it he's almost back again Neil Morrissey (46). And on this day in 2003, Barry White waddled off to the boudoir beyond, aged 57.