Phil Rodgers

For the English professional golfer (1891–1966), seePhilip Rodgers.

Phil Rodgers(April 3, 1938 – June 26, 2018) was an Americanprofessional golfer.

Phil Rodgers
Personal information
Born	(1938-04-03)April 3, 1938 San Diego, California,U.S.
Died	June 26, 2018(2018-06-26)(aged 80) San Diego, California,U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg; 12.5 st)
Sporting nationality	United States
Career
College	University of Houston
Turned professional	1961
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour Senior PGA Tour
Professional wins	6
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	5
Other	1
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament	T7:1974
PGA Championship	T7:1972
U.S. Open	T3:1962
The Open Championship	2nd:1963

Life

Rodgers was born inSan Diego, California.He won the 1958NCAA Division I Championshipwhile playing at theUniversity of Houston.Immediately after, he was placed in the first position on the first team of the 1958 All-American golf team, which included many well known professionals including future winners of thePGA Championship,Al GeibergerandBobby NicholsandMasters Tournamentwinner,Tommy Aaron.

While in the Marine Corps, Rodgers won virtually every service tournament (he was even pulled out ofBoot Campto play in the All Services tournament), then turned professional in 1961. He won five times on thePGA Tourin the 1960s. Playing sparingly in 1961, but winning the "unofficial" 54-holeSahara Pro-AminLas Vegas, Nevada,Rodgers started his first full year on the PGA Tour in 1962, which began with theLos Angeles Open.Tied for the lead after 54 holes withFred Hawkinsat 206, Rodgers ran away from the field shooting a 9-under-par 62 making 9 birdies and 9 pars to win his first championship by 9 strokes.

He lost toBob Charlesin a 36-hole playoff in the1963 Open Championship.Rodgers also lost the1962 U.S. Openby two strokes despite going 6-over-par on two holes. In the first round, he took a quadruple bogey 8 on the 17th hole, and 4-putted the 12th hole in the third round. Still, after chipping in for a birdie on the 12th hole in the final round, he stood at 2-under-par with six holes left, needing 6 pars to win. Instead he made 3 bogeys enablingArnold PalmerandJack Nicklausto finish regulation play tied for first at 1-under-par. Nicklaus went on to win the playoff and scored his first victory as a professional.

After a stint on theSenior PGA Tour,Rodgers became a much sought-after teacher, specializing in the short game. One of his first pupils was Jack Nicklaus, who publicly credited Rodgers with teaching him more precise wedge play which helped him win his fourth U.S. Open championship in 1980 at age 40. For several years,Golf Magazineranked Rodgers in their top 100 teachers.

Rodgers died in San Diego on June 26, 2018, fromleukemiaat the age of 80.

Professional wins (6)

PGA Tour wins (5)

No.	Date	Tournament	Winning score	Margin of victory	Runner(s)-up
1	Jan 8,1962	Los Angeles Open	−16 (67-71-68-62=268)	9 strokes	Bob Goalby,Fred Hawkins
2	Feb 18, 1962	Tucson Open Invitational	−17 (64-68-65-66=263)	3 strokes	Jim Ferrier
3	Apr 28,1963	Texas Open Invitational	−16 (66-71-66-65=268)	2 strokes	Johnny Pott
4	Mar 13,1966	Doral Open Invitational	−10 (69-69-70-70=278)	1 stroke	Jay Dolan,Kermit Zarley
5	Jun 12, 1966	Buick Open Invitational	−4 (70-73-71-70=284)	2 strokes	Johnny Pott,Kermit Zarley

PGA Tour playoff record (0–2)

No.	Year	Tournament	Opponent	Result
1	1963	The Open Championship	Bob Charles	Lost 36-hole playoff; Charles: E (69-71=140), Rodgers: +8 (72-76=148)
2	1965	Azalea Open Invitational	Dick Hart	Lost to par on eighth extra hole

Other wins (1)

this list may be incomplete

• 1961Sahara Pro-Am

Results in major championships

Tournament	1956	1957	1958	1959
Masters Tournament			22	CUT
U.S. Open	CUT			CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship

Tournament	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969
Masters Tournament			CUT	CUT	T25		T17	T36
U.S. Open			T3	T32		CUT	6	CUT		T13
The Open Championship			T3	2	T19	CUT	T4	T43
PGA Championship			CUT	CUT			CUT	T28		T48

Tournament	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977
Masters Tournament	CUT			23	T7	CUT
U.S. Open	CUT					CUT	CUT	CUT
The Open Championship					CUT
PGA Championship	T48	CUT	T7	T71

Top 10

Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1962 PGA Championship)
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

Tournament	Wins	2nd	3rd	Top-5	Top-10	Top-25	Events	Cuts made
Masters Tournament	0	0	0	0	1	5	11	6
U.S. Open	0	0	1	1	2	3	12	4
The Open Championship	0	1	1	3	3	3	7	5
PGA Championship	0	0	0	0	1	1	9	5
Totals	0	1	2	4	7	12	39	20

• Most consecutive cuts made – 4 (twice)
• Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (twice)

External links

• Phil Rodgersat thePGA Tourofficial site