Sam Snead
Samuel Jackson Snead (May 27, 1912 – May 23, 2002) was an American professional golfer celebrated for his fluid, rhythmic swing and one of the most prolific careers in the sport's history.[1] He secured a record 82 victories on the PGA Tour—a mark later tied by Tiger Woods in 2019—and amassed approximately 70 additional wins worldwide, including seven major championships: three Masters Tournaments (1949, 1952, 1954), three PGA Championships (1942, 1949, 1951), and the 1946 Open Championship.[2][3] Despite his dominance across four decades, Snead never won the U.S. Open, though he finished runner-up in 1939 and 1947, preventing him from completing a career Grand Slam.[3] Born in the rural community of Ashwood, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Snead grew up on a farm and developed his game on the nine-hole course at The Homestead resort in nearby Hot Springs, where he later worked as a caddie and assistant pro.[2] He turned professional in 1934 at age 22 and quickly rose to prominence, claiming his first PGA Tour victory in 1936 at the West Virginia Closed Pro—and winning the West Virginia Open a record 17 times—and joining the elite alongside contemporaries Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson.[4] Known as "Slammin' Sam" for his powerful yet graceful play, Snead represented the United States in seven Ryder Cup matches as a player, captaining the team three times and contributing to victories in 1937, 1947, 1949, 1951, 1955, and 1959.[5] Snead's longevity was remarkable; he won his final PGA Tour event at age 52 in 1965 and continued competing into his 80s, including a ceremonial opening tee shot at the 2002 Masters just weeks before his death from stroke-related complications in Hot Springs, Virginia.[6] His career earnings totaled $699,101 on the PGA Tour, with additional earnings on the Champions Tour, and he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, leaving an enduring legacy as a folk hero of American golf whose style influenced generations of players.[4]Early Life
Birth and Family Background
Samuel Jackson Snead was born on May 27, 1912, in Ashwood, a small rural community near Hot Springs in Bath County, Virginia.[7] His parents were Harry Snead, who worked as a maintenance man at the nearby resort, and Laura (née Dudley) Snead, who was 47 years old at the time of his birth.[8][9] Snead was the youngest of six children in the family, which included four older brothers and one sister, growing up in modest circumstances during the early 20th century.[9] His older brothers, particularly Homer, played a key role in introducing him to outdoor pursuits such as hunting squirrels—a local tradition—and improvised games in cow pastures and wooded areas, fostering his natural athleticism and love for the outdoors from an early age. These experiences in the Appalachian foothills helped build the physical fitness that would later define his legendary golf career.[10] The family's rural lifestyle revolved around their farm near Ashwood, where young Sam contributed to daily chores like tending crops and livestock, instilling a rigorous work ethic amid the economic challenges of the era.[8] To supplement the family income, he also took odd jobs at The Homestead, the prominent hot springs resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, which exposed him to a world beyond the farm.[11] This environment of hard labor and natural surroundings shaped his resilient character, as he often credited his mother's influence for his determination and his father's resourcefulness—such as carving rudimentary golf clubs from tree branches—for sparking his initial curiosity about the sport.[9][12] Snead's first direct contact with golf occurred through caddying at The Homestead's Old Course, beginning as early as age seven, though some accounts place it around age ten or twelve; he carried bags for resort guests, earning modest tips that provided both pocket money and an up-close view of the game.[13] This role at the prestigious venue, known for its challenging layout amid the mountains, marked the beginning of his immersion in golf, transitioning from family-influenced outdoor play to structured observation of professional play.[11]Introduction to Golf and Amateur Career
Sam Snead's introduction to golf occurred during his childhood in rural Virginia, where his family's proximity to resort courses provided early access to the sport. At the age of ten in 1922, he began caddying at The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, earning 35 cents per round plus tips, which allowed him to immerse himself in the game.[5] Snead developed his swing largely through self-taught methods, observing professional players and practicing with makeshift clubs fashioned from discarded iron heads attached to hickory sticks from local stables. While he received no formal structured lessons, he drew initial guidance from the resort's head pro and honed his natural rhythm through relentless repetition on the course.[4][5] By his mid-teens, Snead had begun competing successfully in regional junior events.[4] Snead continued to build his reputation in regional amateur events. Despite receiving college scholarship offers for football, he declined them to dedicate himself fully to golf, working instead as a course assistant and refining his skills.[4][14] His amateur career included strong performances in regional events, leading to an invitation to the 1937 Masters Tournament as an amateur, where he made a strong debut, finishing 18th with rounds of 76-72-71-79 for a total of 298.[4][15]Professional Career
PGA Tour Entry and Early Victories
Sam Snead turned professional in 1934 at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, where he had previously worked as an assistant golf professional since 1929.[5] Following impressive performances in regional and invitational events as a club professional, including a fifth-place finish at the 1936 Hershey Open, he transitioned to the PGA Tour full-time in 1937.[16][17] Snead's breakthrough on the national stage came prior to his full Tour commitment, with his first recognized PGA Tour victory at the 1936 West Virginia Closed Pro held at The Greenbrier's Old White Course, where he posted rounds of 70 and 61 to win by a record 16 strokes over Clem Wiechman.[3] His official debut season in 1937 produced multiple triumphs, highlighted by the Oakland Open, where he carded a final-round 67 to finish at 270 and claim the $1,000 first prize ahead of the field.[18] These early successes, including five wins that year, showcased his fluid swing and competitive edge, earning him $8,593 in prize money and the tour's leading money winner title in 1938.[19][20] Snead's ascent accelerated in 1942 with his first major championship victory at the PGA Championship. Days after this victory, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy amid World War II, serving from 1942 to 1944 as an athletic specialist under Commander Gene Tunney's physical fitness program in San Diego before receiving a medical discharge due to a back injury.[21][22] This interruption limited his play, but upon returning, he dominated with a post-war surge, highlighted by his 1946 Open Championship victory.[2] By the end of 1946, Snead had amassed 11 PGA Tour victories, positioning him as a premier force in professional golf and setting the stage for his sustained dominance in the sport.[4]Peak Years and Rivalries
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Sam Snead reached the height of his professional career, dominating the PGA Tour with exceptional consistency and power. In 1949, he claimed the Masters Tournament, firing weekend rounds of 67 to finish at 282 and win by three strokes over Johnny Bulla and Lloyd Mangrum.[23] He repeated as Masters champion in 1952, carding a 286 total to win by four strokes over Jack Burke Jr., with Ben Hogan finishing tied for seventh. Over the 1949-1951 period, Snead amassed 17 PGA Tour victories, including the 1949 and 1951 PGA Championships, solidifying his status as one of the era's premier players.[24] His prowess was further evidenced by leading the PGA Tour in annual earnings multiple times, earning $31,593 in 1949 and $35,758 in 1950—records that underscored his financial and competitive dominance.[25] Snead's peak was characterized by storied rivalries that elevated the sport's intensity, most notably with Ben Hogan, whose clinical precision contrasted sharply with Snead's rhythmic, explosive swing. Their 1950s duels at the Masters exemplified this tension; in 1954, Snead overcame severe putting yips to tie Hogan at 289, then defeated him by one stroke in an 18-hole playoff, securing his third green jacket.[26] Earlier, in the 1950 Los Angeles Open, Snead again bested Hogan in a playoff after they tied, showcasing his edge in high-pressure situations.[27] These matchups highlighted Snead's ability to blend natural talent with resilience against one of golf's most methodical competitors. Snead also faced stiff competition from Byron Nelson, forming part of the influential "big three" alongside Hogan—rivals who collectively won 21 majors and reshaped professional golf in the 1940s through their head-to-head battles and innovative techniques.[28] As the decade progressed, Arnold Palmer emerged as a new challenger, injecting charisma and aggressive play that pushed Snead in events like the late-1950s Masters, where Palmer's rise marked a generational shift.[29] One notable setback came at the 1954 Open Championship, where Snead contended but faltered under pressure, finishing tied for 12th amid struggles with short putts reminiscent of his yips—a vulnerability that occasionally disrupted his otherwise flawless form.[30] The press celebrated Snead's era with the enduring nickname "Slammin' Sammy," a nod to his thunderous drives and relentless victory march that captivated fans.[16]Later PGA Tour Success and Retirement
As Snead entered his fifties, he demonstrated remarkable longevity on the PGA Tour, remaining competitive against a younger generation of players. His final victory came at the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open, where he triumphed at age 52 years, 10 months, and 8 days, setting a record as the oldest winner in PGA Tour history at the time—a mark that stood for decades.[31] This win marked his eighth at the Greensboro event and his 82nd and last official PGA Tour title overall, underscoring his sustained excellence into the mid-1960s.[32] However, Snead's later years were hampered by the putting yips, a nervous condition that increasingly affected his short game, particularly in high-pressure situations like majors. Despite four runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open (in 1939, 1947, 1949, and 1953), he never secured that elusive title, with the yips contributing to missed opportunities on the greens during crucial moments.[33] In response, Snead experimented with various putting techniques, eventually adopting a croquet-style stance in 1967 to mitigate the issue, though it too faced challenges and was later banned by the USGA in 1968.[34] Snead announced a semi-retirement from full-time competition in 1967, shifting focus away from the regular tour grind while still making selective appearances. He competed occasionally thereafter, with his final PGA Tour event coming in 1971 at the age of 59, after which he largely transitioned to senior circuits and non-competitive play.[16] In 1968, Snead was named pro emeritus at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where he had served as head golf professional since 1946. This role allowed him to emphasize exhibitions, instructional clinics, and promotional activities, leveraging his legendary status to promote the sport well into his later years.[35]Major Championships
Wins and Key Performances
Sam Snead's first major championship victory came in the 1942 PGA Championship at Seaview Country Club in Galloway Township, New Jersey, where he defeated Jim Turnesa by 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final match.[36] This win occurred amid World War II constraints, as the tournament was shortened and played just one day before Snead reported for U.S. Navy service, marking a poignant wartime achievement in the match-play format that emphasized his precision and competitive edge.[37] Snead's breakthrough in the Masters Tournament arrived in 1949 at Augusta National, where he carded rounds of 73-75-67-67 to finish at 282, three strokes ahead of runners-up Johnny Bulla and Lloyd Mangrum.[23] His weekend surge, featuring two under-par 67s, showcased his recovery from an uneven start and established him as a dominant force at the event, tying Jimmy Demaret for the most Masters titles at the time with one. In the 1949 PGA Championship at Hermitage Country Club in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, Snead claimed his second title in the event by defeating Johnny Palmer 3 and 2 in the final, securing a $3,500 winner's share in the match-play bracket.[38] This victory, played on home-state soil, highlighted his versatility in head-to-head competition, as he advanced past strong challengers like Dave Douglas and Clayton Heafner en route to the championship match.[39] Snead's sole Open Championship triumph occurred in 1946 at the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland, where he posted a 72-hole total of 290 to win by four strokes over Johnny Bulla and Bobby Locke.[40] As the first postwar Open and the first American victory since 1933, Snead's steady play—including a final-round 75 despite windy conditions—reclaimed the Claret Jug for the U.S. and underscored his adaptability to links golf after a seven-year hiatus in the event due to World War II.[41] The 1951 PGA Championship at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania saw Snead secure his third and final title in the event, overwhelming Walter Burkemo 7 and 6 in the 36-hole final after dominating earlier rounds with scores well under par.[42] His performance, which included an eagle on the first hole of the final match, demonstrated his peak form in match play, amassing a 17-under-par total across his five victories in the tournament.[43] Snead returned to the winner's circle at the 1952 Masters, navigating blustery conditions at Augusta National to finish at 286, four strokes clear of Jack Burke Jr. in second place.[44] Despite challenging winds that inflated scores across the field, his even-par 72 in the final round preserved the lead he had built, marking his second Green Jacket and affirming his mastery of the course's strategic demands.[45] His final major conquest was the 1954 Masters, where Snead tied defending champion Ben Hogan at 289 after 72 holes, then prevailed in an 18-hole Monday playoff with a 70 to Hogan's 71.[46] Overcoming a three-stroke deficit entering the final round and capitalizing on Hogan's uncharacteristic bogeys, this victory—Snead's seventh and last major—tied him with Hogan and Jackie Burke for the career Masters wins record at the time.[47] Despite these triumphs, Snead's major legacy includes notable near-misses in the U.S. Open, where he finished runner-up four times without a victory. In 1939 at Philadelphia Country Club, leading by three entering the final hole, Snead's aggressive play from a fairway bunker led to an eight, dropping him to fifth place behind winner Byron Nelson.[48] The 1947 edition at St. Louis Country Club ended in heartbreak during an 18-hole playoff against Lew Worsham, as Snead missed a 30-inch putt on the 72nd hole to force sudden death, allowing Worsham to win by one stroke.[49] Snead tied for second in 1949 at Medinah Country Club, one stroke behind Cary Middlecoff after a steady final-round 71, his third runner-up finish in the event.[49] A pivotal non-victory moment came in the 1950 Open Championship at Troon Golf Club, where Snead held a three-stroke lead entering the final round but succumbed to severe putting yips, carding an 81 to finish tied for 12th as Bobby Locke claimed the title.[50] This collapse, one of several influenced by his long battle with the yips that plagued him for over five decades, highlighted the mental challenges that occasionally undermined his technical brilliance in majors.[34]Results Timeline
Sam Snead competed in 118 major championships between 1937 and 1979, with his results from 1937 to 1974 reflecting a career marked by seven victories and 45 top-10 finishes across the four majors.[20]| Year | Masters Tournament | U.S. Open | The Open Championship | PGA Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 18th | T2 | DNP | DNP |
| 1938 | T31 | T30 | DNP | 2nd |
| 1939 | 2nd | 5th | DNP | T21 |
| 1940 | T7 | T25 | DNP | T3 |
| 1941 | T6 | 5th | DNP | T17 |
| 1942 | T7 | DNP | DNP | 1st |
| 1943 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 1944 | DNP | DNP | DNP | 1st |
| 1945 | DNP | DNP | DNP | T10 |
| 1946 | T7 | T11 | 1st | T18 |
| 1947 | T22 | 2nd | T11 | T4 |
| 1948 | T16 | 4th | T12 | T10 |
| 1949 | 1st | T2 | T5 | 1st |
| 1950 | 3rd | 2nd | T12 | T4 |
| 1951 | T8 | T7 | 5th | 1st |
| 1952 | 1st | CUT | T28 | T14 |
| 1953 | T16 | 2nd | CUT | T2 |
| 1954 | 1st | T12 | T15 | T3 |
| 1955 | T3 | T4 | T14 | T10 |
| 1956 | T4 | 11th | T23 | T7 |
| 1957 | 2nd | CUT | T11 | T19 |
| 1958 | 13th | CUT | T7 | T9 |
| 1959 | T22 | T5 | T9 | T13 |
| 1960 | T11 | T19 | T12 | T5 |
| 1961 | T15 | CUT | DNP | T25 |
| 1962 | T15 | CUT | T11 | T29 |
| 1963 | T3 | T14 | T24 | T29 |
| 1964 | CUT | CUT | T36 | T3 |
| 1965 | CUT | CUT | DNP | T12 |
| 1966 | T42 | T17 | T9 | T19 |
| 1967 | 10th | CUT | DNP | T26 |
| 1968 | 42nd | CUT | T31 | T29 |
| 1969 | CUT | CUT | CUT | T39 |
| 1970 | T23 | CUT | CUT | CUT |
| 1971 | CUT | CUT | DNP | DNP |
| 1972 | T27 | CUT | DNP | T35 |
| 1973 | T29 | CUT | DNP | CUT |
| 1974 | T20 | CUT | CUT | T3 |