Fifty years ago, Dave Stockton pulled off one of the most improbable victories in PGA Championship history—and he’ll be the first to tell you he had a little help from the weather gods.

Strutting around Congressional Country Club in bell-bottom trousers and sporting some seriously groovy sideburns, Stockton sank a clutch 15-foot par putt to seal the deal. But even as he hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy, he couldn’t quite believe it. “My first thought was I can’t believe I won it,” Stockton recalled. “My second thought was there must be 20 guys shooting themselves that they should’ve won this tournament. And then it hit me: I’m going to be Ryder Cup captain someday.”

Here’s where the story gets wild. Stockton’s victory hinged on a break that simply wouldn’t happen in today’s game. In the final round, he stumbled out of the gate, playing the first five holes in 3-over par. Then came the storms—severe thunderstorms rolled into Bethesda, Maryland, forcing officials to halt play after the final group had managed just three holes. The decision was controversial: officials wiped out all partial scores and ordered a complete restart on Monday morning under sunny skies.

That reset was a game-changer. Stockton, who had been among those pushing to keep playing in the rain, came out firing on Monday and played those same five holes in 2-under par. That’s a five-stroke swing. “If it hadn’t rained Sunday, I don’t think I would have been in the top 10 or even top 15,” he admitted years later.

The final day was a rollercoaster. Stockton edged out 46-year-old Don January, whose chances unraveled when his approach shot found a lateral water hazard at the 10th hole, leading to a double bogey. Also in the mix was Raymond Floyd, who had already won the Masters earlier that year. The leaderboard was a revolving door: Charles Coody held the 54-hole lead, then Morgan took over, followed by Jack Nicklaus, before January and David Graham briefly shared the top spot. In the end, it was Stockton who emerged from the chaos.

This tournament also marked a poignant milestone in golf history. It was the last major where the legendary trio of Jack Nicklaus (fourth), Gary Player (tied 13th), and Arnold Palmer (tied 15th) all finished inside the top 15. For Palmer, it would be his final top-15 finish in a major championship—a quiet end to an era.

So next time you’re out on the course and the skies open up, remember: sometimes a rain delay isn’t a setback. It might just be the break you need.