Samuel Jackson Snead(/sniːd/;May 27, 1912 – May 23, 2002) was an Americanprofessional golferwho was one of the top players in the world for the better part of four decades (having wonPGA of AmericaandSenior PGA Tourevents 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 record82PGA Tourevents[5][6]tied withTiger Woods,including sevenmajors.He never won theU.S. Open,though he was runner-up four times. Snead was inducted into theWorld Golf Hall of Famein 1974.
| Sam Snead | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Snead in 1967 | |||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Full name | Samuel Jackson Snead | ||||||||||
| Nickname |
| ||||||||||
| Born | May 27, 1912 Ashwood, Virginia,U.S. | ||||||||||
| Died | May 23, 2002(aged 89) Hot Springs, Virginia,U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||||
| Sporting nationality |  United States | ||||||||||
| Spouse |
Audrey Karnes
(m.1940; died 1990) | ||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||
| Career | |||||||||||
| Turned professional | 1934 | ||||||||||
| Former tour(s) | |||||||||||
| Professional wins | 142 | ||||||||||
| Number of wins by tour | |||||||||||
| PGA Tour | 82 (Tied 1st all time) | ||||||||||
| LPGA Tour | 1 | ||||||||||
| Other |
| ||||||||||
| Best results in major championships (wins: 7) | |||||||||||
| Masters Tournament | Won:1949,1952,1954 | ||||||||||
| PGA Championship | Won:1942,1949,1951 | ||||||||||
| U.S. Open | 2nd/T2:1937,1947,1949,1953 | ||||||||||
| The Open Championship | Won:1946 | ||||||||||
| Achievements and awards | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Snead's nicknames included "The Slammer", "Slammin' Sammy Snead", and "The Long Ball Hitter fromWest 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 InducteeBill Campbellhas 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 Playeronce 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 Nicklaussaid that Snead's swing was "so perfect."
Awards
editSnead was the PGA leading money winner in 1938, 1949 and 1950. He won theVardon 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 theVirginia Sports Hall of Famein 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 theHelmsHall of Fame.[13]Snead received thePGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Awardin 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
editBorn inAshwood, Virginia,nearHot Springs,Snead began caddying at age seven atThe 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 theMeadow 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 atThe GreenbrierResort inWhite 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 theBoca Raton Resortfrom 1956 to 1969.[19]Each spring he returned to the Mid-Atlantic, stopping at TheMasters Tournamenton his way back to The Greenbrier.
Snead served in theU.S. NavyduringWorld War IIfrom 1942 to 1944.[20]He was an athletic specialist in Cmdr.Gene Tunney's program inSan Diego,and was given a medicaldischargefor a back injury in September 1944.[21]
Snead appeared as himself in an episode ofThe 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 thePGA Tourand theChampions Tour.[23]
Career
editIn July 1936, Snead won his first tournament, the West Virginia Closed Pro, contested atThe Greenbrier's Championship Course and Old White Course. He shot rounds of 70–61 to routLogan, West Virginiaprofessional, Clem Wiechman by 16 strokes (74-73).[24][25]The following month, he won the first of 17West Virginia Openchampionships by beating Art Clark by five strokes at Guyan Country Club inHuntington, West Virginia.[26]
In 1937, Snead's first full year on the PGA Tour,[2]he won six events, including theOakland Openat Claremont Country Club in California and his second West Virginia Open. In Snead's debut in theU.S. Openhosted atOakland Hills,he finishes runner-up toRalph Guldahl(who won with 19 clubs in his bag).[27]Snead shared the first round lead shooting 69 with fellow West VirginianDenny Shute(1936and1937PGA Champion). In Snead's first of two attempts inThe Open Championship,he finished tied for 11th.[28]While working atThe Greenbrier,Snead played in theU.S. Pro Tennis Championships.In the first round, he faced the eventual winnerKarel Kozeluh,losing to Kozeluh by scores of 6–1, 6–1, and 6–1.
In 1938, Snead first won theGreater 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 theU.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.
DuringWorld 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 theOpen ChampionshipatSt 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 in1947,Snead missed a 30-inch (76 cm) putt on the final playoff hole to finish runner-up toLew Worsham.[34]
Snead won three times in 1948, including his firstTexas Openand fourthWest 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 theU.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 behindByron Nelson(18, in 1945) andBen 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 theMasters.[41]At theJacksonville Open,Snead forfeited rather than play an 18-hole playoff againstDoug Fordafter 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. WhileChick 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 theU.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 theMastersin an 18-hole playoff over Ben Hogan.[45][46][47]
In December 1959, Snead took part in a controversial match againstMason Rudolph,at theMid Ocean ClubinBermuda.The match played under theNBC'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 theRules of Golfthat limits a player to 14 clubs. The extra club in his bag, afairway woodSnead 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 thequiz 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'sCelebrity Golfprogram, emceed byHarry von Zell,competing for charity in nine-hole contests against Hollywood celebrities likeDean Martin,Jerry LewisandBob Hope.Snead had appeared withMartin and Lewisin their 1953 comedy film,The Caddy.
On February 7, 1962, at age 49, Snead won theRoyal Poinciana Plaza Invitational,anLPGA Tour"Battle of the Sexes" tournament where he faced off against 14 LPGA pros. The low woman wasMickey Wright,herself Snead's equivalent in women's golf, with the most wins on that tour.[50]
His 1962 autobiography was titledThe 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 sevenRyder Cupteams: 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 thePGA Club Professional ChampionshipatPinehurst Resort.
In1973,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 theLos Angeles Openat 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 the1974 PGA Championshipto finish tied for third, three strokes behind winnerLee Trevino.At age 62, it was Snead's third consecutive top-10 finish at thePGA Championship,but his last time in contention at a major.
In 1978, he won the firstLegends of Golfevent, which was the impetus for the creation,two years later,of the Senior PGA Tour, now theChampions Tour.
In1979,he was the youngest PGA Tour golfer to shoot his age (67) in the second round of the 1979Quad Cities Open.He shot under his age (66) in the final round.
In 1982, he teamed withDon Januaryto shoot 27-under-par to win the rain-shortened 54-holeLiberty Mutual Legends of Golfevent atOnion Creek Club"The Birthplace of the Senior PGA Tour" inAustin, 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) atThe HomesteadinHot 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 ofThe GreenbrierinWhite Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
In 1998, he received thePGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award,the fourth person to be so honored.
From 1984 to 2002, he hit the honorary starting tee shot at theMasters Tournament.Until 1999, he was joined byGene Sarazen,and until 2001, byByron Nelson.
In 2000, Snead was ranked the third greatest golfer of all time, inGolf Digestmagazine's rankings, behind onlyJack NicklausandBen Hogan.[54]
Death
edit
Snead died inHot Springs, Virginiain 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 nephewJ. C. Sneadwas alsoa PGA Tour golfer.
In popular culture
editSnead was mentioned several times in the comic stripPeanutsat the height of his popularity during the 1950s[55]and 1960s.[56]As its creator and avid golferCharles 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 calledFollow the Sun.[59]
There is a Sam Snead Street inSan Antonio, Texas.[60]
Playing style
editDuring 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. TheUnited States Golf Associationbanned 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
editSnead 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 theWest 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 theGreater 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 1965Greater Greensboro Open
- Oldest player to make the cut at a major: age 67 years, 2 months, 7 days at the 1979PGA Championship
- First PGA Tour player to shoot his age: 67 in the second round of the 1979Quad Cities Open
- Oldest player to make a cut on the PGA Tour: age 67 years, 2 months, 21 days at the 1979Manufacturers 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)
Professional wins (142)
editPGA 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 CooperandHorton Smith,Ed DudleyandKy 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 RunyanandHorton 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 DemaretandDick 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 withJack Burke Jr.,Dave DouglasandSmiley 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 HaasandFred 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 FordandEd 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 |
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- 1936West Virginia Open
- 1937West Virginia Open
- 1938West Virginia Open
- 1940Ontario Open(Canada)
- 1941Center Open(Argentina)
- 1941 St Augustine Pro-am (with Wilford Wehrle)
- 1942 St Augustine Pro-am (with Wilford Wehrle)
- 1948West Virginia Open,Havana Invitational
- 1949North and South Open,West Virginia Open,National Celebrities Open
- 1951Greenbrier Pro-Am
- 1952West Virginia Open,Brazil Open,Greenbrier Pro-Am,Julius Boros Open, Seminole Pro-am
- 1953Greenbrier Pro-Am,Orlando International Mixed Best Ball (with Betty MacKinnon)
- 1954Panama Open
- 1955 McNaughtons Pro-am
- 1956Canada Cup(withBen Hogan), Boca Raton Open
- 1957West Virginia Open
- 1958West Virginia Open,Greenbrier Invitational
- 1959Sam Snead Festival,Eldorado Professional (tied withDoug Ford)
- 1960West Virginia Open,Canada Cup(withArnold Palmer)
- 1961West Virginia Open,Sam Snead Festival,Canada Cup(withJimmy Demaret),Canada Cup – International Trophy
- 1962Canada Cup(withArnold Palmer)
- 1964Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome(withShirley Englehorn)
- 1966West Virginia Open
- 1967West Virginia Open
- 1968West Virginia Open
- 1970West Virginia Open
- 1971PGA Club Professional Championship,West Virginia Open
- 1972West Virginia Open
- 1973West Virginia Open
Note: this list is incomplete.
Senior wins (14)
edit- 1964PGA Seniors' Championship,World Senior Championship
- 1965PGA Seniors' Championship,World Senior Championship
- 1967PGA Seniors' Championship
- 1970PGA Seniors' Championship,World Senior Championship
- 1972PGA Seniors' Championship,World Senior Championship
- 1973PGA Seniors' Championship,World Senior Championship
- 1978Legends of Golf(withGardner Dickinson)
- 1980 Golf Digest Commemorative Pro-Am
- 1982Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf(withDon January)
Major championships
editWins (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 |
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
editProfessional
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcSam Snead, Golf Legend.Global Sportsline Toronto. November 11, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^abcde"Snead inducted onto the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame".PGA Middle Atlantic Section. Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2019.RetrievedJuly 15,2019.
- ^Gabriel, Mike (2001).The Professional Golfers' Association Tour: a history.Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland.ISBN0-7864-0844-8.LCCN00068720.OCLC1069744188.
- ^"Sam Snead's son keeps his father's memory alive by telling stories".PGA of America.January 31, 2016.
- ^"Wins and Finishes".PGA Tour Media Guide.January 20, 2022.RetrievedJuly 26,2022.
- ^Livsey, Laury (April 16, 2019)."How we got to 82".PGA Tour.RetrievedJuly 27,2022.
- ^Apfelbaum, Jim, ed. (2007).The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations.New York:Skyhorse Publishing.ISBN978-1-60239-014-0.LCCN2007005352.
- ^Kelley, Brent, ed. (May 24, 2019)."Sam Snead Quotes".RetrievedJuly 8,2019.
- ^"1949 PGA Golfer of the Year Award Plaque from The Sam Snead Collection".November 28, 1949.RetrievedJuly 20,2019.
- ^"Winners of the PGA Tour and PGA of America Player of the Year Awards".Golf News Net.RetrievedJuly 20,2019.
- ^"Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum – Sam Snead".August 25, 2017.RetrievedJuly 21,2019.
- ^"Tom Watson Declines Offer to Join PGA of America Hall of Fame".Golf.September 28, 2015.RetrievedJuly 16,2019.
- ^"Helms Hall Hall Of Fame Award From The Sam Snead Collection".Heritage Auctions.September 28, 2015.RetrievedJuly 16,2019.
- ^"Snead, Campbell inducted into W.Va. Golf Hall".USA Today.August 3, 2009.
- ^"West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame – Class of 2009 – Samuel J. Snead".August 3, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.RetrievedJuly 16,2019– via YouTube.
- ^"Samuel J. Snead - 2009".WVGA.August 3, 2009.RetrievedJuly 17,2019.
- ^"Sam Snead".Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.RetrievedJuly 16,2019.
- ^Moss, Richard J. (June 1, 2013).The Kingdom of Golf in America.U of Nebraska Press. p. 188.ISBN978-0-8032-4680-5.LCCN2012047430.OCLC841906541.
- ^May, Mike."Golf @ The Boca Resort: Living, Breathing History".Go Golf and Travel.
- ^abBarkow, Al(1986).Gettin' to the Dance Floor: An Oral History of American Golf.New York: Atheneum.ISBN978-0-689-11517-2.LCCN85047660.OCLC42892255.
- ^"Sam Snead discharged from navy".St. Petersburg Times.Associated Press. September 13, 1944. p. 6.
- ^"The Colonel Breaks Par".IMDb.
- ^"Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Class of 2003".Archived fromthe originalon November 30, 2010.RetrievedMarch 15,2010.
- ^Kelley, Brent."Largest Margin of Victory on the PGA Tour".About. Archived fromthe originalon June 28, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 16,2015.
- ^"Weichman Second in White Sulphur Event".Portsmouth Daily Times.July 11, 1936. p. 3.
- ^"Sam Snead Blast Out Five-Under-Par to Win State Open Golf Title".Bluefield Daily Telegraph.August 8, 1936. p. 8.
- ^"1937 U.S. Open Highlights".USGA.August 17, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.
- ^"Cotton's brilliant victory".Glasgow Herald.(Scotland). July 10, 1937. p. 6.
- ^Kelley, Brent."Oldest PGA Tour Winners".About. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedMarch 20,2013.
- ^Snead, Sam (1938).Sam Snead's quick way to better golf.Garden City, New York: Sun Dial Press.ISBN978-1-161-62978-1.LCCN39000237.OCLC504827770.
- ^Carter, Bob."Only old age could stop Snead".ESPN.RetrievedFebruary 8,2021.
- ^"After 51 Years on Tour, Snead Takes It Easy".Los Angeles Times.July 2, 1989.RetrievedJuly 21,2019.
- ^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.ISBN978-1-258-14298-8.LCCN46004312.OL2693695W.
- ^"1947 U.S. Open: Snead Recalls Tough Defeat".USGA.May 27, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.RetrievedJuly 21,2019.
- ^"Masters Golf (1949)".youtube.Pathé News.April 13, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.
- ^"Sam Snead Wins PGA (1949)".youtube.Pathé News. April 13, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.
- ^"Middlecoff Sinks Decisive Putt to Capture Reading Golf With 266".The New York Times.Associated Press. July 11, 1949.
- ^1949 U.S. Open Highlights.United States Golf Association.September 14, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.
- ^ab"Victory Records".PGA Tour. June 3, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon January 3, 2006.RetrievedJune 5,2012.
- ^Kelley, Brent."Lowest PGA Tour Vardon Trophy Scoring Averages".About. Archived fromthe originalon April 3, 2013.RetrievedMarch 20,2013.
- ^"Masters Greats: Sam Snead 1952".masters.
- ^"Ford Gets First Major Golf Win".Reading Eagle.United Press. March 25, 1952. p. 17.RetrievedMarch 20,2013.
- ^"Sam Snead Forfeits First in Jacksonville Open".The Spokesman-Review.Associated Press. March 25, 1952. p. 12.RetrievedMarch 20,2013.
- ^"1953 U.S. Open Highlights".youtube.USGA. October 10, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on December 11, 2021.
- ^"1954: Snead wins in legendary Masters battle with Hogan".augusta.March 22, 2012.
- ^"Historic Leaderboard: 1954 Masters".augusta.
- ^"Sam Snead wins 1954 Masters Tournament".gettyimages.co.uk.Getty Images.August 2, 2016.
- ^"Sponsor Cancels After Snead TV Golf Incident".The Victoria Advocate.Associated Press. April 9, 1960. p. 9.RetrievedMarch 20,2013.
- ^"Rule 4 - The Player's Equipment - USGA".
- ^Sobel, Jason (February 7, 2015)."Slammin' Sam the only man with LPGA victory".Golf Channel.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
- ^Snead, Sam (1962).The education of a golfer.New York: Simon and Schuster.LCCN62009601.OCLC1087094040.
- ^"Golf Detective: Lost Ryder Cup of 1939".Golf Channel.August 11, 2014.RetrievedJuly 21,2019.
- ^Snead, Sam (1986).Pigeons, marks, hustlers and other golf bettors you can beat.Simon & Schuster.ISBN0-671-54073-4.LCCN86019516.OCLC14131378.
- ^Yocom, Guy (July 2000)."50 Greatest Golfers of All Time: And What They Taught Us".Golf Digest.Archived fromthe originalon September 16, 2004.RetrievedDecember 5,2007.
- ^
- "May 16, 1954 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- "June 1, 1955 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- ^
- "September 8, 1960 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- "July 12, 1962 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- "April 25, 1963 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- "May 6, 1963 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- "April 10, 1968 – Peanuts".gocomics.
- ^"Comics: Good Grief".Time.April 9, 1965.
- ^Inge, M. Thomas, ed. (2000).Charles M. Schulz: Conversations.University Press of Mississippi. p. 71.ISBN978-1-57806-305-5.
- ^"Follow the Sun".IMDb.RetrievedAugust 25,2024.
- ^Brown, Merrisa (September 30, 2014)."San Antonio street names and groupings".mysanantonio.
- ^"Historical Rules of Golf, 1968".ruleshistory.January 1, 1968.RetrievedOctober 19,2013.
- ^Livsey, Laury (April 16, 2019)."How we got to 82".PGA Tour.
- ^Barkow, Al(November 1989).The History of the PGA TOUR.Doubleday.pp.259–60.ISBN0-385-26145-4.LCCN89034228.OCLC423223896.
External links
edit- Sam Sneadat thePGA Tourofficial site
- Sam Sneadat theWorld Golf Hall of Fame
- Sam Snead at golf.aboutat theWayback Machine(archived January 27, 2017)
- Photos of Sam Snead at Palm Beach Golf Classic(archived June 21, 2007)