Wikipedia

Sam Snead

For the rapper, see Sam Sneed.

Samuel Jackson Snead (/sniːd/; May 27, 1912 – May 23, 2002) was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for the better part of four decades (having won PGA of America and Senior PGA Tour events over six decades)[1] and widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Snead was awarded a record 94 gold medallions, for wins in PGA of America (referred to by most as the PGA) Tour[2][3] events[4] and later credited with winning a record 82 PGA Tour events[5][6] tied with Tiger Woods, including seven majors. He never won the U.S. Open, though he was runner-up four times. Snead was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sam Snead
Snead in 1967
Personal information
Full nameSamuel Jackson Snead
Nickname
  • The Slammer
  • Slammin' Sammy
Born(1912-05-27)May 27, 1912
Ashwood, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMay 23, 2002(2002-05-23) (aged 89)
Hot Springs, Virginia, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
Sporting nationality United States
Spouse
Audrey Karnes
​
​
(m. 1940; died 1990)​
Children2
Career
Turned professional1934
Former tour(s)
Professional wins142
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour82 (Tied 1st all time)
LPGA Tour1
Other
  • 45 (regular)
  • 14 (senior)
Best results in major championships
(wins: 7)
Masters TournamentWon: 1949, 1952, 1954
PGA ChampionshipWon: 1942, 1949, 1951
U.S. Open2nd/T2: 1937, 1947, 1949, 1953
The Open ChampionshipWon: 1946
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame1974 (member page)
PGA Tour
leading money winner		1938, 1949, 1950
PGA Golfer of the Year1949
Vardon Trophy1938, 1949, 1950, 1955
PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award1998

Snead's nicknames included "The Slammer", "Slammin' Sammy Snead", and "The Long Ball Hitter from West Virginia", and he was admired by many for having a "perfect swing", which generated many imitators. Snead was famed for his folksy image, wearing a straw hat, and making such statements as "Keep close count of your nickels and dimes, stay away from whiskey, and never concede a putt."[7] and "There are no short hitters on the tour anymore, just long and unbelievably long."[8] Fellow West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Campbell has said of Snead, "He was the best natural player ever. He had the eye of an eagle, the grace of a leopard, and the strength of a lion." Gary Player once said, "I don't think there's any question in my mind that Sam Snead had the greatest golf swing of any human being that ever lived." Jack Nicklaus said that Snead's swing was "so perfect."

Awards

edit

Snead was the PGA leading money winner in 1938, 1949 and 1950. He won the Vardon Trophy, for lowest scoring average, four times: 1938, 1949, 1950, and 1955. In 1949, he was PGA Golfer of the Year.[9][10]

Snead was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1973.[11] In 1986, Snead was inducted into the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame.[2] Snead was also inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame[2][12] and the Helms Hall of Fame.[13] Snead received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. In 2009, Snead was inducted into the inaugural class of the West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame[14][15][16] and in 2016, Snead was the unanimous top choice for inclusion in the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame's inaugural class.[17]

Personal life

edit

Born in Ashwood, Virginia, near Hot Springs, Snead began caddying at age seven at The Homestead's Old Course in Hot Springs. He worked as an assistant pro at The Homestead at 17 in 1929, then moved to the Cascades Course and turned professional in 1934.[2] During the depression, Snead taught himself the game of golf from a set of clubs carved from tree limbs. Snead joined the PGA Tour in 1936 and achieved immediate success by winning the West Virginia Closed Pro tournament.

In 1936 he won two matches at the Meadow Brook Club, earning a $10,000 prize. This gave him the money he needed to start playing professionally full-time.[18] In 1944 he became resident playing professional at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and maintained ties to Hot Springs and The Homestead all of his life. During the winter, he was a resident playing pro at the Boca Raton Resort from 1956 to 1969.[19] Each spring he returned to the Mid-Atlantic, stopping at The Masters Tournament on his way back to The Greenbrier.

Snead served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1944.[20] He was an athletic specialist in Cmdr. Gene Tunney's program in San Diego, and was given a medical discharge for a back injury in September 1944.[21]

Snead appeared as himself in an episode of The Phil Silvers Show, "The Colonel Breaks Par", in 1957.[22]

His nephew, J. C. Snead, was also a successful professional golfer, winning tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.[23]

Career

edit

In July 1936, Snead won his first tournament, the West Virginia Closed Pro, contested at The Greenbrier's Championship Course and Old White Course. He shot rounds of 70–61 to rout Logan, West Virginia professional, Clem Wiechman by 16 strokes (74-73).[24][25] The following month, he won the first of 17 West Virginia Open championships by beating Art Clark by five strokes at Guyan Country Club in Huntington, West Virginia.[26]

In 1937, Snead's first full year on the PGA Tour,[2] he won six events, including the Oakland Open at Claremont Country Club in California and his second West Virginia Open. In Snead's debut in the U.S. Open hosted at Oakland Hills, he finishes runner-up to Ralph Guldahl (who won with 19 clubs in his bag).[27] Snead shared the first round lead shooting 69 with fellow West Virginian Denny Shute (1936 and 1937 PGA Champion). In Snead's first of two attempts in The Open Championship, he finished tied for 11th.[28] While working at The Greenbrier, Snead played in the U.S. Pro Tennis Championships. In the first round, he faced the eventual winner Karel Kozeluh, losing to Kozeluh by scores of 6–1, 6–1, and 6–1.

In 1938, Snead first won the Greater Greensboro Open, the first of eight times, the Tour record for victories in a single tournament event. Snead's last win at Greensboro was in 1965, at the age of 52 years, 311 days, making him the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event.[29] Snead introduced his first book, Sam Snead's quick way to better golf.[30]

In 1939, Snead won three times. 1939 was the first of four times (although Snead had already come close in 1937, losing to the eventual champion who had 19 clubs in his bag) where Snead failed at crucial moments of the U.S. Open, the only major event he never won. Needing a par to win at the Philadelphia C.C., but not knowing that, since on-course scoreboards did not exist at that time, Snead posted a triple-bogey 8 on the par-5 72nd hole, taking a risky shot from a difficult lie in the fairway. Snead had been told on the 18th tee by a spectator that he needed a birdie to win.[20] Snead ended up in fifth place, two shots behind three players who went into a playoff.

During World War II, Snead was prevented from participating in 14 major championships (1940–1945 Open Championship, 1942–1945 U.S. Open, 1943–1945 Masters, 1943 PGA Championship), due to their cancellations. Snead served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1944.

In 1946, Snead won six times including the Open Championship at St Andrews. His expenses for playing there were more than three times his winning purse.[31][32] Snead tied for sixth in the Open in 1962. Snead introduced the book, Sam Snead's How to play golf, and professional tips on improving your score. Also, rules of the game of golf, as approved by the United States Golf Association, and by the Royal and ancient golf club of St. Andrews.[33]

At the U.S. Open in 1947, Snead missed a 30-inch (76 cm) putt on the final playoff hole to finish runner-up to Lew Worsham.[34]

Snead won three times in 1948, including his first Texas Open and fourth West Virginia Open.

In 1949, Snead won nine PGA events including two majors including the Masters[35] and the PGA Championship[36] and was awarded Golfer of the Year. For Snead, it was the third of four second-place finishes at the U.S. Open, the only major championship he never won. Needing two pars to finish in a tie for the lead, Snead took three shots to hole out his ball from the fringe of the green on the 17th hole.[37][38]

In 1950, Snead won 11 events, placing him third in that category behind Byron Nelson (18, in 1945) and Ben Hogan (13, in 1946).[39] Snead claimed that 1950 was his "greatest year" winning "eleven tournaments" including a playoff victory over Hogan in the L.A. Open yet lost the "Golfer of the Year" to Hogan, who won one "tournament".[1] His scoring average of 69.23 was a Vardon Trophy record that stood for 50 years.[40]

In 1952, Snead won ten events including the Masters.[41] At the Jacksonville Open, Snead forfeited rather than play an 18-hole playoff against Doug Ford after the two golfers finished in a tie at the end of regulation play. The forfeit stemmed from a ruling Snead received during the tournament's second round of play. On the 10th hole, Snead's drive landed behind an out-of-bounds stake. While Chick Harbert, who was playing with Snead, thought the ball was out of bounds,[42] a rules official ruled differently due to the starter not telling players the stakes had been moved after the previous day's play had ended. Afterward, Snead explained why he forfeited even though Ford suggested they play sudden death for the title. "I want to be fair about it. I don't want anyone to think I took advantage of the ruling."[43] Snead set the record for most PGA wins after reaching age 40, with 17.

In 1953, Snead won three events. He finished runner-up to Ben Hogan at the U.S. Open (the fourth time he would finish runner-up at the U.S. Open).[44]

In 1954, Snead won two events, one of which was the Masters in an 18-hole playoff over Ben Hogan.[45][46][47]

In December 1959, Snead took part in a controversial match against Mason Rudolph, at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. The match played under the NBC's "World Championship Golf" series, was a match-play event that was tied after 11 holes. On the 12th hole, Snead discovered that he had a 15th club in the bag, a violation of the Rules of Golf that limits a player to 14 clubs. The extra club in his bag, a fairway wood Snead had been experimenting with in practice, meant Rudolph had won on the 12th hole immediately, 11 and 7, after applying the penalty of a loss of hole for each hole the club was in the bag, even though he did not use it during the round. With the match legally concluded, Snead deliberately missed puts later in the program to create the legitimate result, a Rudolph win. Snead explained the match had ended up on the 11 loss of hole penalties, and said he did not disqualify himself in order not to spoil the show. This occurred shortly after the investigations into the quiz show scandals where players were given answers to questions in fixed matches. The match was broadcast in April 1960, and the sponsor canceled further participation in the series after Snead's admission he recreated the result after the match officially ended as a Rudolph win.[48] The rule was changed for the 1964 Rules of Golf, where the penalty is capped at two holes (match play) or two strokes per hole capped at four strokes (stroke play).[49]

Beginning in 1960, Snead hosted television's Celebrity Golf program, emceed by Harry von Zell, competing for charity in nine-hole contests against Hollywood celebrities like Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Bob Hope. Snead had appeared with Martin and Lewis in their 1953 comedy film, The Caddy.

On February 7, 1962, at age 49, Snead won the Royal Poinciana Plaza Invitational, an LPGA Tour "Battle of the Sexes" tournament where he faced off against 14 LPGA pros. The low woman was Mickey Wright, herself Snead's equivalent in women's golf, with the most wins on that tour.[50]

His 1962 autobiography was titled The Education of a Golfer.[51] Snead later wrote several golf instructional books, and frequently wrote instructional columns in golf magazines.

In 1965, Snead became the oldest player (52 years, 10 months, and 8 days) to win on the PGA Tour (the Greater Greensboro Open).

Snead played on seven Ryder Cup teams: 1937, 1947, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1955, and 1959. Snead was selected to the 1939 Ryder Cup team however the event was never played due to World War II.[52] He captained the team in 1951, 1959, and 1969.

In 1971, he won the PGA Club Professional Championship at Pinehurst Resort.

In 1973, Snead became the oldest player to make a cut in a U.S. Open at age 61.

In 1974, at age 61, he shot a third-round 66 at the Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club to move into contention. A birdie at #17 in the last round moved him to within one stroke of the lead. Dave Stockton hit a miraculous fairway wood on the final hole. Snead was joint runner-up.

He shot a final-round 68 at the 1974 PGA Championship to finish tied for third, three strokes behind winner Lee Trevino. At age 62, it was Snead's third consecutive top-10 finish at the PGA Championship, but his last time in contention at a major.

In 1978, he won the first Legends of Golf event, which was the impetus for the creation, two years later, of the Senior PGA Tour, now the Champions Tour.

In 1979, he was the youngest PGA Tour golfer to shoot his age (67) in the second round of the 1979 Quad Cities Open. He shot under his age (66) in the final round.

In 1982, he teamed with Don January to shoot 27-under-par to win the rain-shortened 54-hole Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf event at Onion Creek Club "The Birthplace of the Senior PGA Tour" in Austin, Texas. This victory would mark victories for Snead that spanned over six decades (1930s–1980s) winning tour and senior tour events.

In 1983, at age 71, he shot a round of 60 (12-under-par) at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia.

In 1986, Snead wrote the book, Pigeons, Marks, Hustlers and Other Golf Bettors You Can Beat.[53]

In 1997, at age 85, he shot a round of 78 at the Old White course of The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

In 1998, he received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award, the fourth person to be so honored.

From 1984 to 2002, he hit the honorary starting tee shot at the Masters Tournament. Until 1999, he was joined by Gene Sarazen, and until 2001, by Byron Nelson.

In 2000, Snead was ranked the third greatest golfer of all time, in Golf Digest magazine's rankings, behind only Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan.[54]

Death

edit
 
Snead's grave at his house in Hot Springs

Snead died in Hot Springs, Virginia in 2002 following complications from a stroke, four days before his 90th birthday. He was survived by two sons: Sam Jr. of Hot Springs, and Terry, of Mountain Grove, Virginia, and a brother, Pete, of Pittsburgh, as well as two grandchildren. His wife Audrey died in 1990. His nephew J. C. Snead was also a PGA Tour golfer.

edit

Snead was mentioned several times in the comic strip Peanuts at the height of his popularity during the 1950s[55] and 1960s.[56] As its creator and avid golfer Charles M. Schulz[57] said in a 1971 interview: "I was a great admirer of Sam Snead. I once watched him play a round in the St. Paul tournament when he hit every green in regulation figures – and all the par fives in two – for a truly flawless round."[58]

He played himself in the 1951 Ben Hogan semi-autobiographical movie starring Glenn Ford and Anne Baxter called Follow the Sun.[59]

There is a Sam Snead Street in San Antonio, Texas.[60]

Playing style

edit

During his peak years, Snead was an exceptionally long driver, particularly into the wind, with very good accuracy as well. He was a superb player with the long irons. Snead was also known for a very creative short game, pioneering the use of the sand wedge for short shots from grass. As he aged, he began to experiment with different putting styles. Snead pioneered croquet-style putting in the 1960s, where he straddled the ball with one leg on each side. The United States Golf Association banned this technique in 1968 by amending the old Rule 35–1,[61] since, until that time, golfers had always faced the ball when striking. Snead then went to side-saddle putting, where he crouched and angled his feet towards the hole, and held the club with a split grip. He used that style for the rest of his career.

Records

edit

Snead holds the following records:

  • Most PGA Tour victories: 82
  • Most PGA-sanctioned tour victories: 94
  • Became the first player to win 17 times at an event: at the West Virginia Open (1936–1938, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1966–1968, 1970–1973)
  • First player to win an event in six different decades (1930s–1980s).
  • Became the first player to win 8 times at an event: at the Greater Greensboro Open (1938, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1965)
  • First player to be credited with winning a PGA Tour event in four different decades.
  • Oldest player to be credited with winning a PGA Tour event: age 52 years, 10 months, 8 days at the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open
  • Oldest player to make the cut at a major: age 67 years, 2 months, 7 days at the 1979 PGA Championship
  • First PGA Tour player to shoot his age: 67 in the second round of the 1979 Quad Cities Open
  • Oldest player to make a cut on the PGA Tour: age 67 years, 2 months, 21 days at the 1979 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic.
  • Only player to post a top-10 finish in at least one major championship in five different decades.
  • Became the first player to win PGA and Senior PGA Tour events over six decades (1930s–1980s)

Sources:[1][39]

Professional wins (142)

edit

PGA Tour wins (82)

edit
Legend
Major championships (7)
Other PGA Tour (75)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 Jul 10, 1936 West Virginia Closed Pro −9 (70-61=131) 16 strokes   Clem Wiechman
2 Jan 17, 1937 Oakland Open −2 (69-65-69-67=270) 2 strokes   Ralph Guldahl
3 Feb 7, 1937 Bing Crosby Pro-Am −4 (68)* 4 strokes   George Von Elm
4 Aug 1, 1937 St. Paul Open −5 (72-69-71-71=283) 1 stroke   Willie Goggin
5 Dec 20, 1937 Nassau Open −4 (66-70-70-70=276) 1 stroke   Vic Ghezzi
6 Dec 25, 1937 Miami Open −13 (68-67-66-66=267) 5 strokes   Ralph Guldahl,   Horton Smith
7 Jan 17, 1938 Bing Crosby Pro-Am (2) −5 (72-67=139) 2 strokes   Jimmy Hines
8 Mar 28, 1938 Greater Greensboro Open −11 (66-68-69-68=271) 5 strokes   Johnny Revolta
9 May 29, 1938 Inverness Invitational Four-Ball
(with   Vic Ghezzi) 		+9 points 1 point   Harry Cooper and   Horton Smith,
  Ed Dudley and   Ky Laffoon
10 Jun 26, 1938 Palm Beach Round Robin +14 points Playoff   Gene Sarazen
11 Jul 24, 1938 Chicago Open −3 (64-73-70=207)* 1 stroke   Ralph Guldahl
12 Aug 22, 1938 Canadian Open −11 (69-67-69-72=277) Playoff   Harry Cooper
13 Sep 27, 1938 Westchester 108 Hole Open +10 (73-72-73-72-71-69=430) 2 strokes   Billy Burke
14 Nov 10, 1938 White Sulphur Springs Open −7 (68-68-69-68=273) 2 strokes   Ky Laffoon
15 Mar 3, 1939 St. Petersburg Open −9 (70-69-68=207) Playoff   Henry Picard
16 Mar 8, 1939 Miami Biltmore International Four-Ball
(with   Ralph Guldahl) 		7 and 6   Paul Runyan and   Horton Smith
17 Dec 17, 1939 Miami Open (2) −12 (68-72-67-64=271) 2 strokes   Jug McSpaden
18 Jun 16, 1940 Inverness Invitational Four-Ball (2)
(with   Ralph Guldahl) 		+15 points 3 points   Jimmy Demaret and   Dick Metz
19 Aug 19, 1940 Canadian Open (2) −3 (67-66-75-73=281) Playoff   Jug McSpaden
20 Sep 8, 1940 Anthracite Open −4 (65-73-68-70=276) 2 strokes   Byron Nelson
21 Jan 25, 1941 Bing Crosby Pro-Am (3) −8 (67-69=136) 1 stroke   Craig Wood
22 Feb 28, 1941 St. Petersburg Open (2) −5 (67-72-68-72=279) 2 strokes   Herman Barron,   Chick Harbert,
  Ben Hogan,   Jug McSpaden
23 Mar 20, 1941 North and South Open −11 (69-66-73-69=277) 3 strokes   Clayton Heafner
24 Aug 9, 1941 Canadian Open (3) −6 (71-68-66-69=274) 2 strokes   Bob Gray
25 Aug 17, 1941 Rochester Times-Union Open −3 (67-70-73-67=277) 7 strokes   Ben Hogan
26 Sep 21, 1941 Henry Hurst Invitational −8 (64-74-69-65=272) 9 strokes   Dick Metz
27 Mar 6, 1942 St. Petersburg Open (3) −2 (70-74-73-72=286) 3 strokes   Sam Byrd,   Chick Harbert,
  Byron Nelson
28 May 31, 1942 PGA Championship 2 and 1   Jim Turnesa
29 Nov 26, 1944 Portland Open +1 (70-74-73-72=289) 2 strokes   Mike Turnesa
30 Dec 17, 1944 Richmond Open −6 (70-69-69-70=278) 1 stroke   Charles Congdon
31 Jan 8, 1945 Los Angeles Open −1 (71-71-72-69=283) 1 stroke   Jug McSpaden,   Byron Nelson
32 Feb 19, 1945 Gulfport Open −9 (65-71-70-69=275) Playoff   Byron Nelson
33 Feb 25, 1945 Pensacola Open −21 (67-64-68-68=267) 7 strokes   Byron Nelson
34 Mar 4, 1945 Jacksonville Open −22 (69-65-66-66=266) 4 strokes   Bob Hamilton
35 Sep 9, 1945 Dallas Open −12 (70-69-69-68=276) 4 strokes   Jug McSpaden
36 Sep 16, 1945 Southwestern Invitational −7 (68-67-69-73=277) 9 strokes   Vic Ghezzi,   Ben Hogan
37 Mar 17, 1946 Jacksonville Open (2) −24 (64-66-67-67=264) 4 strokes   Jimmy Demaret
38 Mar 24, 1946 Greater Greensboro Open (2) −10 (70-67-67-66=270) 6 strokes   Herman Keiser
39 Apr 21, 1946 Virginia Open −1 (69-66-68-72=275) Playoff   Chandler Harper
40 Jul 5, 1946 The Open Championship −2 (71-70-74-75=290) 4 strokes   Johnny Bulla,   Bobby Locke
41 Sep 8, 1946 World Championship of Golf −6 (69-69=138) 2 strokes   Byron Nelson
42 Dec 8, 1946 Miami Open (3) −12 (65-66-66-71=268) 3 strokes   Clayton Heafner
43 Feb 8, 1948 Texas Open −20 (66-65-65-68=264) 2 strokes   Jimmy Demaret
44 Mar 28, 1949 Greater Greensboro Open (3) −8 (68-69-69-70=276) Playoff   Lloyd Mangrum
45 Apr 10, 1949 Masters Tournament −6 (73-75-67-67=282) 3 strokes   Johnny Bulla,   Lloyd Mangrum
46 May 31, 1949 PGA Championship (2) 3 and 2   Johnny Palmer
47 Jul 4, 1949 Washington Star Open −16 (69-64-69-70=272) 2 strokes   Cary Middlecoff
48 Jul 18, 1949 Dapper Dan Open −16 (67-67-69-71=272) 1 stroke   Lloyd Mangrum
49 Jul 31, 1949 Western Open −20 (69-67-65-67=268) 4 strokes   Cary Middlecoff
50 Jan 15, 1950 Bing Crosby Pro-Am (4) −2 (69-72-73=214) Shared title with   Jack Burke Jr.,
  Dave Douglas and   Smiley Quick
51 Jan 18, 1950 Los Angeles Open (2) −4 (71-72-71-66=280) Playoff   Ben Hogan
52 Feb 12, 1950 Texas Open (2) −19 (71-68-63-63=265) 1 stroke   Jimmy Demaret
53 Mar 12, 1950 Miami Beach Open −15 (71-66-65-71=273) 3 strokes   Lawson Little
54 Mar 26, 1950 Greater Greensboro Open (4) −11 (66-70-66-67=269) 10 strokes   Jimmy Demaret
55 May 21, 1950 Western Open (2) −2 (69-71-69-73=282) 1 stroke   Jim Ferrier,   Dutch Harrison
56 May 28, 1950 Colonial National Invitation −3 (66-72-66-73=277) 3 strokes   Skip Alexander
57 Jul 16, 1950 Inverness Invitational Four-Ball (3)
(with   Jim Ferrier) 		+18 points 13 points   Fred Haas and   Fred Hawkins
58 Sep 10, 1950 Reading Open −20 (68-65-65-70=268) 8 strokes   Jim Ferrier
59 Nov 3, 1950 North and South Open (2) −13 (68-71-66-70=275) 4 strokes   Johnny Palmer
60 Dec 3, 1950 Miami Open (4) −13 (69-66-66-66=267) 5 strokes   Jack Burke Jr.,   Dick Mayer
61 Jul 3, 1951 PGA Championship (3) 7 and 6   Walter Burkemo
62 Dec 9, 1951 Miami Open (5) −12 (64-68-68-68=268) 5 strokes   Chandler Harper,   Dutch Harrison
63 Apr 6, 1952 Masters Tournament (2) −2 (70-67-77-72=286) 4 strokes   Jack Burke Jr.
64 May 18, 1952 Palm Beach Round Robin (2) +57 points 2 points   Cary Middlecoff
65 Jun 29, 1952 Inverness Invitational Four-Ball (4)
(with   Jim Ferrier) 		+13 points 12 points   Doug Ford and   Ed Oliver
66 Aug 3, 1952 All American Open −17 (67-65-74-65=271) 8 strokes   Tommy Bolt
67 Sep 14, 1952 Eastern Open −13 (71-67-68-69=275) 2 strokes   Ed Oliver
68 Mar 8, 1953 Baton Rouge Open −13 (69-68-67-71=275) 3 strokes   Dick Mayer
69 Apr 12, 1954 Masters Tournament (3) +1 (74-73-70-72=289) Playoff   Ben Hogan
70 May 16, 1954 Palm Beach Round Robin (3) +62 points 36 points   Bob Toski
71 Apr 17, 1955 Greater Greensboro Open (5) −7 (68-67-69-69=273) 1 stroke   Julius Boros,   Art Wall Jr.
72 Jun 5, 1955 Palm Beach Round Robin (4) +46 points 24 points   Johnny Palmer
73 Sep 5, 1955 Insurance City Open −15 (66-68-66-69=269) 7 strokes   Fred Hawkins,   Mike Souchak
74 Dec 11, 1955 Miami Open (6) −9 (70-67-64=201)* Playoff   Tommy Bolt
75 Apr 15, 1956 Greater Greensboro Open (6) −5 (66-69-74-70=279) Playoff   Fred Wampler
76 Jun 2, 1957 Palm Beach Round Robin (5) +41 points 8 points   Doug Ford
77 Sep 16, 1957 Dallas Open Invitational (2) −20 (70-60-66-68=264) 10 strokes   Bob Inman,   Billy Maxwell,
  Cary Middlecoff
78 Jun 8, 1958 Dallas Open Invitational (3) −8 (67-67-69-69=272) Playoff   Julius Boros,   John McMullin,
  Gary Player
79 Mar 27, 1960 De Soto Open Invitational −8 (69-72-67-68=276) 1 stroke   Jerry Barber
80 Apr 17, 1960 Greater Greensboro Open (7) −14 (68-66-67-69=270) 2 strokes   Dow Finsterwald
81 May 7, 1961 Tournament of Champions −15 (68-67-69-69=273) 7 strokes   Tommy Bolt
82 Apr 4, 1965 Greater Greensboro Open (8) −11 (68-69-68-68=273) 5 strokes   Billy Casper,   Jack McGowan,
  Phil Rodgers

*Note: Tournament shortened to 18/54 holes due to weather.

PGA Tour playoff record (12–6)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1938 Palm Beach Round Robin   Gene Sarazen Won with birdie on the second extra hole
2 1938 Canadian Open   Harry Cooper Won 27-hole playoff;
Snead: −7 (67-34=101),
Cooper: −2 (67-39=106)
3 1939 St. Petersburg Open   Henry Picard Won with birdie on seventh extra hole after 18-hole playoff;
Snead: −3 (69),
Picard: −3 (69)
4 1940 Canadian Open   Jug McSpaden Won 18-hole playoff;
Snead: E (71),
McSpaden: +1 (72)
5 1945 Gulfport Open   Byron Nelson Won with par on first extra after 18-hole playoff;
Snead: E (71),
Nelson: E (71)
6 1945 Charlotte Open   Byron Nelson Lost second 18-hole playoff;
Nelson: −3 (69),
Snead: +1 (73)
Level after first 18-hole playoff;
Nelson: −3 (69),
Snead: −3 (69)
7 1946 Virginia Open   Chandler Harper Won 18-hole playoff;
Snead: −5 (64),
Harper: −2 (67)
8 1947 U.S. Open   Lew Worsham Lost 18-hole playoff;
Worsham: −2 (69),
Snead: −1 (70)
9 1949 Greater Greensboro Open   Lloyd Mangrum Won 18-hole playoff;
Snead: −2 (69),
Mangrum: E (71)
10 1950 Los Angeles Open   Ben Hogan Won 18-hole playoff;
Snead: +1 (72),
Hogan: +5 (76)
11 1950 St. Paul Open   Jim Ferrier Lost to par on third extra hole after 18-hole playoff;
Ferrier: −3 (69),
Hogan: −3 (69)
12 1952 Jacksonville Open   Doug Ford Lost after concession before playoff
13 1953 Greater Greensboro Open   Doug Ford,   Earl Stewart,
  Art Wall Jr. 		Stewart won with a par on the first extra hole after an 18-hole playoff;
Stewart: −2 (68),
Snead: −2 (68),
Ford: E (70),
Wall: +2 (72)
14 1954 Masters Tournament   Ben Hogan Won 18-hole playoff;
Snead: −2 (70),
Hogan: −1 (71)
15 1955 Miami Open   Tommy Bolt Won with a par on the first extra hole
16 1956 Greater Greensboro Open   Fred Wampler Won with birdie on the second extra hole
17 1958 Dallas Open Invitational   Julius Boros,   John McMullin,
  Gary Player 		Won with birdie on the first extra hole
18 1958 Havana International   George Bayer Lost to par on the first extra hole

Sources:[62][63]

LPGA Tour wins (1)

edit
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 Feb 7, 1962 Royal Poinciana Plaza Invitational −5 (52-53-53-53=211) 5 strokes   Mickey Wright

Other wins (45)

edit

Note: this list is incomplete.

Senior wins (14)

edit

Major championships

edit

Wins (7)

edit
Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner(s)-up
1942 PGA Championship n/a 2 & 1   Jim Turnesa
1946 The Open Championship Tied for lead −2 (71-70-74-75=290) 4 strokes   Johnny Bulla,   Bobby Locke
1949 Masters Tournament 1 shot deficit −6 (73-75-67-67=282) 3 strokes   Johnny Bulla,   Lloyd Mangrum
1949 PGA Championship (2) n/a 3 & 2   Johnny Palmer
1951 PGA Championship (3) n/a 7 & 6   Walter Burkemo
1952 Masters Tournament (2) Tied for lead −2 (70-67-77-72=286) 4 strokes   Jack Burke Jr.
1954 Masters Tournament (3) 3 shot deficit +1 (74-73-70-72=289) Playoff1   Ben Hogan

Note: The PGA Championship was match play until 1958.
1Defeated Ben Hogan in 18-hole playoff – Snead 70 (−2), Hogan 71 (−1).

Results timeline

edit
Tournament 1937 1938 1939
Masters Tournament 18 T31 2
U.S. Open 2 T38 5
The Open Championship T11
PGA Championship R16 2
Tournament 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
Masters Tournament T7 T6 T7 NT NT NT T7 T22 T16 1
U.S. Open T16 T13 NT NT NT NT T19 2 5 T2
The Open Championship NT NT NT NT NT NT 1
PGA Championship 2 QF 1 NT R32 R32 QF 1
Tournament 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Masters Tournament 3 T8 1 T16 1 3 T4 2 13 T22
U.S. Open T12 T10 T10 2 T11 T3 T24 T8 CUT T8
The Open Championship
PGA Championship R32 1 R64 R32 QF R32 QF R16 3 T8
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament T11 T15 T15 T3 CUT CUT T42 T10 42 CUT
U.S. Open T19 T17 T38 T42 T34 T24 T9 T38
The Open Championship T6 CUT
PGA Championship T3 T27 T17 T27 T6 T6 T34 T63
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Masters Tournament T23 CUT T27 T29 T20 WD CUT WD CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT T29 CUT CUT
The Open Championship CUT
PGA Championship T12 T34 T4 T9 T3 CUT CUT T54 T42
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983
Masters Tournament CUT CUT WD WD
U.S. Open
The Open Championship
PGA Championship WD WD
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play

Summary

edit
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 3 2 3 9 15 26 44 31
U.S. Open 0 4 1 7 12 21 31 27
The Open Championship 1 0 0 1 2 3 5 3
PGA Championship 3 2 3 13 19 26 38 34
Totals 7 8 7 30 48 76 118 95
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 55 (1937 Masters – 1958 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 6 (1948 U.S. Open – 1950 Masters)

U.S. national team appearances

edit

Professional

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Sam Snead, Golf Legend. Global Sportsline Toronto. November 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Snead inducted onto the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame". PGA Middle Atlantic Section. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  3. ^ Gabriel, Mike (2001). The Professional Golfers' Association Tour: a history. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0844-8. LCCN 00068720. OCLC 1069744188.
  4. ^ "Sam Snead's son keeps his father's memory alive by telling stories". PGA of America. January 31, 2016.
  5. ^ "Wins and Finishes". PGA Tour Media Guide. January 20, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Livsey, Laury (April 16, 2019). "How we got to 82". PGA Tour. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Apfelbaum, Jim, ed. (2007). The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-014-0. LCCN 2007005352.
  8. ^ Kelley, Brent, ed. (May 24, 2019). "Sam Snead Quotes". Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  9. ^ "1949 PGA Golfer of the Year Award Plaque from The Sam Snead Collection". November 28, 1949. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Winners of the PGA Tour and PGA of America Player of the Year Awards". Golf News Net. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum – Sam Snead". August 25, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Tom Watson Declines Offer to Join PGA of America Hall of Fame". Golf. September 28, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "Helms Hall Hall Of Fame Award From The Sam Snead Collection". Heritage Auctions. September 28, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Snead, Campbell inducted into W.Va. Golf Hall". USA Today. August 3, 2009.
  15. ^ "West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame – Class of 2009 – Samuel J. Snead". August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2019 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "Samuel J. Snead - 2009". WVGA. August 3, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  17. ^ "Sam Snead". Virginia Golf Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  18. ^ Moss, Richard J. (June 1, 2013). The Kingdom of Golf in America. U of Nebraska Press. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-8032-4680-5. LCCN 2012047430. OCLC 841906541.
  19. ^ May, Mike. "Golf @ The Boca Resort: Living, Breathing History". Go Golf and Travel.
  20. ^ a b Barkow, Al (1986). Gettin' to the Dance Floor: An Oral History of American Golf. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 978-0-689-11517-2. LCCN 85047660. OCLC 42892255.
  21. ^ "Sam Snead discharged from navy". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. September 13, 1944. p. 6.
  22. ^ "The Colonel Breaks Par". IMDb.
  23. ^ "Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Class of 2003". Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  24. ^ Kelley, Brent. "Largest Margin of Victory on the PGA Tour". About.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  25. ^ "Weichman Second in White Sulphur Event". Portsmouth Daily Times. July 11, 1936. p. 3.
  26. ^ "Sam Snead Blast Out Five-Under-Par to Win State Open Golf Title". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. August 8, 1936. p. 8.
  27. ^ "1937 U.S. Open Highlights". USGA. August 17, 2017. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  28. ^ "Cotton's brilliant victory". Glasgow Herald. (Scotland). July 10, 1937. p. 6.
  29. ^ Kelley, Brent. "Oldest PGA Tour Winners". About.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  30. ^ Snead, Sam (1938). Sam Snead's quick way to better golf. Garden City, New York: Sun Dial Press. ISBN 978-1-161-62978-1. LCCN 39000237. OCLC 504827770.
  31. ^ Carter, Bob. "Only old age could stop Snead". ESPN. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  32. ^ "After 51 Years on Tour, Snead Takes It Easy". Los Angeles Times. July 2, 1989. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  33. ^ Snead, Sam (1946). Sam Snead's How to play golf and professional tips on improving your score. Also, rules of the game of golf, as approved by the United States Golf Association, and by the Royal and ancient golf club of St. Andrews. Garden City, New York: Garden City Publishing. ISBN 978-1-258-14298-8. LCCN 46004312. OL 2693695W.
  34. ^ "1947 U.S. Open: Snead Recalls Tough Defeat". USGA. May 27, 2014. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  35. ^ "Masters Golf (1949)". youtube.com. Pathé News. April 13, 2014. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  36. ^ "Sam Snead Wins PGA (1949)". youtube.com. Pathé News. April 13, 2014. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  37. ^ "Middlecoff Sinks Decisive Putt to Capture Reading Golf With 266". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 11, 1949.
  38. ^ 1949 U.S. Open Highlights. United States Golf Association. September 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Victory Records". PGA Tour. June 3, 2006. Archived from the original on January 3, 2006. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  40. ^ Kelley, Brent. "Lowest PGA Tour Vardon Trophy Scoring Averages". About.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  41. ^ "Masters Greats: Sam Snead 1952". masters.com.
  42. ^ "Ford Gets First Major Golf Win". Reading Eagle. United Press. March 25, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  43. ^ "Sam Snead Forfeits First in Jacksonville Open". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. March 25, 1952. p. 12. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  44. ^ "1953 U.S. Open Highlights". youtube.com. USGA. October 10, 2017. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  45. ^ "1954: Snead wins in legendary Masters battle with Hogan". augusta.com. March 22, 2012.
  46. ^ "Historic Leaderboard: 1954 Masters". augusta.com.
  47. ^ "Sam Snead wins 1954 Masters Tournament". gettyimages.co.uk. Getty Images. August 2, 2016.
  48. ^ "Sponsor Cancels After Snead TV Golf Incident". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. April 9, 1960. p. 9. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  49. ^ "Rule 4 - The Player's Equipment - USGA".
  50. ^ Sobel, Jason (February 7, 2015). "Slammin' Sam the only man with LPGA victory". Golf Channel. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  51. ^ Snead, Sam (1962). The education of a golfer. New York: Simon and Schuster. LCCN 62009601. OCLC 1087094040.
  52. ^ "Golf Detective: Lost Ryder Cup of 1939". Golf Channel. August 11, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  53. ^ Snead, Sam (1986). Pigeons, marks, hustlers and other golf bettors you can beat. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-671-54073-4. LCCN 86019516. OCLC 14131378.
  54. ^ Yocom, Guy (July 2000). "50 Greatest Golfers of All Time: And What They Taught Us". Golf Digest. Archived from the original on September 16, 2004. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  55. ^
  56. ^
  57. ^ "Comics: Good Grief". Time. April 9, 1965.
  58. ^ Inge, M. Thomas, ed. (2000). Charles M. Schulz: Conversations. University Press of Mississippi. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-57806-305-5.
  59. ^ "Follow the Sun". IMDb. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  60. ^ Brown, Merrisa (September 30, 2014). "San Antonio street names and groupings". mysanantonio.com.
  61. ^ "Historical Rules of Golf, 1968". ruleshistory.com. January 1, 1968. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  62. ^ Livsey, Laury (April 16, 2019). "How we got to 82". PGA Tour.
  63. ^ Barkow, Al (November 1989). The History of the PGA TOUR. Doubleday. pp. 259–60. ISBN 0-385-26145-4. LCCN 89034228. OCLC 423223896.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sam_Snead&oldid=1257947286"