Career Highlights

2016 Season

While awaiting a heart procedure, died in Pittsburgh, Pa., on September 25.

2012 Season

For the sixth consecutive year, served as the Honorary Starter at The Masters, along with Jack Nicklaus and for the first time, Gary Player.

2011 Season

Again served as the Honorary Starter, along with Jack Nicklaus, at the Masters Tournament.

2010 Season

Was an Honorary Starter at the Masters for a fourth consecutive year, joined by Jack Nicklaus in this capacity for the first time.

• Mountain Mission Kids: Teamed with Gary Player and Nicklaus at The Olde Farm GC in Virginia in The Big 3 for Mountain Mission Kids sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. The 19-hole scramble event, benefiting the Mountain Mission School, raised more than $15.1 million, the most-ever by a golf tournament in a single day.

2009 Season

Was the Honorary Starter at the Masters for the third consecutive year.

• PGA TOUR Charity of the Year: Arnold Palmer Medical Center in Orlando, Fla., was named the PGA TOUR Charity of the Year.
• 80th birthday: Celebrated his 80th birthday (Sept. 10) with celebrations over two weeks in Orlando, Pittsburgh, Laurel Valley and Latrobe, Pa. One of the highlights was throwing out the first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game.
• Congressional Gold Medal: President Barack Obama signed legislation authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the White House on Sept. 30, joining Byron Nelson (2006) as the only golfers to receive the honor.

2007 Season

The long-time PGA TOUR event held at his Bay Hill Club and Lodge was renamed the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

2006 Season

Teed it up in the Constellation Energy Classic in September and then played his final round of competitive golf Oct. 13 at the Champion Tour's Administaff Small Business Classic. Withdrew after four holes but completed the round as a thank you to the fans in attendance and then announced at the conclusion of the round that "there's just no thoughts of any more tournament golf."

2005 Season

For the first time in his career did not make a start in a TOUR event.

2004 Season

Celebrated his 50th year in professional golf. Announced that it would be his final Augusta National appearance and recorded his 50th consecutive start at the Masters. Also played in his 26th consecutive Bay Hill Invitational.

• UBS CUP: Served as captain of the U.S. team once again at the UBS Cup.
• Wendy's Champions Skins Game: Finished second to Tom Watson at the Wendy's Champions Skins Game, earning five skins and $140,000 at Wailea. Lost a golden opportunity for victory on the final hole of regulation when, with five skins and $260,000 on the line, he missed an 8-foot birdie putt. Overall performance was still his best since winning the 1993 event.
• Presidential Medal of Freedom: Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

2003 Season

Came back to Augusta National for his record 49th consecutive start at the Masters. Missed the cut there and at the Bay Hill Invitational. Played in nine Champions Tour events, with a season's best 36th at the MasterCard Championship in February Matched his age three times (seventh, eighth and ninth times in his career) and also bettered his age (second time in his career) during the campaign. Made two starts on the PGA TOUR, including the Bay Hill Invitational and a record-tying 49th appearance at the Masters.

• U.S. Senior Open: Made his 23rd consecutive appearance in the U.S. Senior Open at the Inverness Club in Toledo.
• SBC Classic: Shot one better than his age in the opening round of the SBC Championship when he carded a 73. Later matched his age in the same event when he closed with a 74 in San Antonio.
• MasterCard Championship: Earlier in the year he had matched his age with an opening-round 73 at the MasterCard Championship in Hawaii and a first-round 73 at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in Savannah, Ga.
• UBS Cup: Captained the U.S. team to victory for the second consecutive year in the UBS Cup Matches at Sea Island, Ga.

2002 Season

Missed the cut at Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Bay Hill Invitational and the Masters.

• Napa Valley Championship: Matched his age in the final round of the Champions Tour's Napa Valley Championship when he shot a 1-over 73. It was the first time he shot his age since opening with a 1-under 71 at the 2001 Senior PGA Championship at Ridgewood CC in New Jersey. Accomplishment in Napa made him the eighth and final player to shoot or better his age on the Champions Tour during the season.

2001 Season

Shot his age (71) in the fourth round of Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. First player in his 70s to shoot his age or better on TOUR since 77-year-old Jerry Barber fired a 71 in the second round of 1994 Buick Invitational.

• Senior PGA Championship: Added another 71 during the first round of the Senior PGA Championship.

2000 Season

Reached a milestone in July when he played in his 1,000th combined PGA TOUR and Champions Tour event. Bettered his age for the first time when he fired a 3-under-par 69 in the second round of the FleetBoston Classic. One week earlier, he had matched his age with a final-round 70 at the Novell Utah Showdown, the first time he had shot his age since posting a final-round 66 at the 1995 GTE Northwest Classic. Also matched his age with a 71 at the Vantage Championship.

• Bob Hope Chrysler Classic: By playing in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in January, he recorded the distinction of having played in PGA TOUR events in seven decades, going back to his first PGA TOUR start in 1948 (Greater Greensboro Open). Missed the cut in Palm Springs.
• Payne Stewart Award: Received the Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Joined Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson as the first recipients of the Payne Stewart Award.

1999 Season

Won the Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

1998 Season

Named recipient of third PGA TOUR Lifetime Achievement Award at annual PGA TOUR Awards Dinner at La Costa on January 9.

1997 Season

Underwent surgery for prostate cancer in mid-January and made his first start after the surgery at the PGA TOUR's Bay Hill Invitational in late March.

• Francis Ouimet Award: Received Francis Ouimet Award from Francis Ouimet Caddie Scholarship Foundation in Boston in January 1997.

1996 Season

• The Presidents Cup: Captained the U.S. Presidents Cup Team to its second consecutive win in the biennial series, a 16½-15½ victory over International Team at Robert Trent Jones GC.

1995 Season

• GTE Northwest Classic: Shot his age for the first time in a competitive round, on Sunday at the GTE Northwest Classic in Seattle, carding a 66 on his birthday.
• The Open Championship: Final Open Championship appearance at St. Andrews came on the 35th anniversary of his first time in event.
• PGA of America Distinguished Service Award: Awarded PGA of America Distinguished Service Award.

1994 Season

Played his last U.S. Open at Oakmont CC, 40 years after playing his first. Also competed in his final PGA Championship, at Southern Hills, shooting rounds of 79-74 to miss the cut.

1993 Season

• Memorial Tournament: Was the designated honoree at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
• Nestle Invitational: Made his final PGA TOUR cut, at the Nestle Invitational on his home course in Orlando. Was T71.
• Senior Skins Game: Pocketed $190,000 at the Senior Skins Game and was the event's leading money-winner for a second straight year.
• National Sports Award: The White House and President Bill Clinton honored him with the National Sports Award.

1992 Season

Missed the cut in five PGA TOUR starts.

• GTE Northwest Classic: Carded the 16th hole-in-one of his career, and last in competition, in the opening round of the GTE Northwest Classic.
• Senior Skins Game: Racked up $205,000 in winning the Senior Skins Game at Mauna Lani.

1991 Season

• Transamerica Senior Golf Championship: Posted three straight top-10s late in the season, including a T4 at The Transamerica, where he was among the leaders on the final day.
• Nationwide Championship: Also in contention at the Nationwide Championship, eventually finishing T7 near Atlanta.
• Nestle Invitational: Made his second-to-last PGA TOUR cut, at the Nestle Invitational at his Bay Hill Club and Lodge. In the rain-shortened event, he shot rounds of 72-71-70 to T24.

1990 Season

Top outing in 17 events was a T12 at the Security Pacific Senior Classic. Played in five PGA TOUR events but missed the cut in all five, including three of the four major championships (Masters, The Open Championship and PGA Championship).

1989 Season

Made only 16 official starts, his fewest Champions Tour appearances since 1986. Best showing was a T4 at the Mazda Senior TPC, where he broke 70 three of the four days.

• Crestar Classic: Had an eighth-place finish in defending his title at the Crestar Classic.
• Chrysler Cup: Was Chrysler Cup captain for a third time.

1988 Season

Had his finest earnings year as a Champions Tour player, placing 17th on the final money list with $185,373.

• PaineWebber Invitational: Finished third a week later, at the PaineWebber Invitational, where his second-round 66 equaled the best round of the tournament. Only in 1971 on the PGA TOUR, when he pocketed $209,603 did he earn more official money in a season.
• Crestar Classic: Recorded his last official win, near Richmond, claiming the Crestar Classic title in wire-to-wire fashion by four strokes over Lee Elder, Larry Mowry and Jim Ferree.
• Chrysler Cup: Again served as captain at the Chrysler Cup.

1987 Season

• GTE Northwest Classic: Best finish was a T3 at the GTE Northwest Classic.

1986 Season

• Chrysler Cup: Made holes-in-one on consecutive days at the par-3 third hole at the TPC Avenel during the Chrysler Cup pro-am competition, a first for a professional. He also served as the captain at that event.

1985 Season

• Senior Tournament Players Championship: Ran away from the field with an 11-shot win at the Senior Tournament Players Championship at Canterbury GC near Cleveland. He established an all-time record for largest margin of victory, not broken until Hale Irwin's 12-shot win at the 1997 PGA Seniors' Championship.

1984 Season

His three victories during the campaign were the most in any season of his Champions Tour career and marked the first time since 1971 that he claimed a trio of titles in a year. Won a pair of major championships: the PGA Seniors' Championship by two strokes over Don January, and the Senior Tournament Players Championship, where he bested Peter Thomson by three shots. At the PGA Seniors', he shot a second-round 63 then dealt with heavy wins and cold temperatures at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and stumbled to a third-round 79. He still led through 54 holes and then shot a 1-under 71 Sunday to win.

• Quadel Senior Classic: Also edged Orville Moody and Lee Elder by one at the Quadel Seniors Classic near the end of the campaign.

1983 Season

Ended a 15-month victory drought by capturing the Champions Tour's season-ending Boca Grove Senior Classic in Florida.

1982 Season

Collected a pair of Champions Tour titles, the first coming at the Marlboro Classic by four strokes over Billy Casper and Bob Rosburg in Massachusetts.

• Denver Post Champions of Golf: Added the Denver Post Champions of Golf title when he held off Bob Goalby by a stroke.

1981 Season

Became the first player to claim both a U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open title with his playoff victory over Bob Stone and Billy Casper at Oakland Hills CC near Detroit.

1980 Season

Also made 14 PGA TOUR starts.

• PGA Seniors' Championship: After turning 50, played in his first PGA Seniors' Championship in December at Turnberry Isle CC in North Miami, Fla. He finished in a tie with Paul Harney at the end of regulation and then birdied the first hole of sudden-death to win. Playoff victory over Harney made him the first of only 10 men to claim the first official Champions Tour event he entered.
• Canadian PGA Championship: Traveled north of the border and won the Canadian PGA Championship.
• World Seniors Invitational: Debuted on the circuit at the unofficial World Seniors Invitational, finishing as runner-up to Gene Littler in Charlotte.

1979 Season

Best finish in 16 PGA TOUR starts was a T24 at the Southern Open.

• Bay Hill Citrus Classic: His Bay Hill Club and Lodge hosted a PGA TOUR event for the first time—the Bay Hill Citrus Classic.

1978 Season

Opened his season with a fifth-place performance at the Phoenix Open and also turned in a top-10 at the Canadian Open. Also made the cut at the Masters (T37) and The Open Championship (T34).

1977 Season

Went a second consecutive year without an official PGA TOUR top-10 but did finish seventh at The Open Championship at Turnberry in Scotland, at the time still considered an unofficial tournament.

1976 Season

Didn't have a top 10 for the first time as a professional. Top finish was a T15 at the PGA Championship at Congressional CC.

1975 Season

His top finishes were a third-place showing at the Hawaiian Open and a fourth-place showing at the Canadian Open. Won the Spanish Open in 1975, defeating South Africa's John Fourie, and then picked up the British PGA Championship. Despite finishing at 5-over for the week during difficult conditions at Royal St. George's, he defeated England's Eamonn Darcy by five strokes.

• Ryder Cyp Matches: Was the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for second time in his career and first time in 12 years as the Americans defeated Great Britain-Ireland, 21-11.

1974 Season

• Western Open: Was also T5 at the Western Open.
• U.S. Open Championship: Needed a good final round at the U.S. Open. Entered Sunday in third place at Winged Foot GC's West Course, three strokes behind Tom Watson. But he shot a 76 and ended T5.

1973 Season

• Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open: Had four rounds in the 60s at the Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open to T3.
• Bob Hope Desert Classic: Last of his 62 TOUR victories came at Bob Hope Desert Classic by two strokes over Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller.

1971 Season

• National Team Championship: Again paired with Jack Nicklaus to successfully win the National Four-Ball Championship. The duo rolled to a six-stroke win over the teams of Bob Charles-Bruce Devlin and Julius Boros-Bill Collins.
• Lancome Trophy: Won the unofficial, 54-hole Lancome Trophy in France.

1970 Season

• Sea Pines Open Invitational: Had a pair of T3s—at the Sea Pines Heritage Classic and the Atlanta Classic.
• PGA Championship: Lost to Dave Stockton at the PGA Championship at Southern Hills. Was T2 with Bob Murphy, two strokes behind Stockton.
• Byron Nelson Golf Classic: Battled Nicklaus at the Byron Nelson Golf Classic, with the two finishing regulation at Preston trail GC tied at 6-under 274. Nicklaus won with a birdie on the first extra hole.

1969 Season

Named Associated Press Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s. Won the inaugural Heritage Golf Classic in Hilton Head Island, S.C., then came back a week later, in early December, to capture the Danny Thomas-Diplomat Classic, thanks to a final-round 65 to come from six strokes off the pace to win.

1968 Season

Collected at least one victory for the 11th consecutive season.

• Kemper Open: In mid-September, he shot a final-round 67 at Quail Hollow Club to beat Bruce Crampton by four strokes.
• Bob Hope Desert Classic: Became the first TOUR player to earn $1 million in his career (7/21/68). Helped himself by winning the Bob Hope Desert Classic early in the season. After five rounds, was tied with Deane Beman, winning with a par on the second playoff hole.

1967 Season

Picked up wins at the American Golf Classic and the Thunderbird Classic in late summer-early fall.

• Ryder Cup matches: Was a perfect 5-0 in the Ryder Cup at Champions GC where he suffered disappointment earlier in the season. The United States routed Great Britain by 15 points.
• U.S. Open Championship: Looked like he would win the U.S. Open after falling short the year previously. Was tied for second after 54 holes, a stroke behind amateur Marty Fleckman. Shot a final-round 69 at Baltusrol GC's Lower Course but watched Jack Nicklaus shoot 65 for the title.
• Houston Champions International: Beard again kept him from successfully defending in Houston, winning by one at the Houston Champions International.
• Tournament of Champions: Had a chance to win the Tournament of Champions for a third consecutive year, but Frank Beard derailed his chances—winning by one.
• Masters Tournament: Won the Par 3 Contest at the Masters for the only time in his career.
• Tucson Open Invitational: Opened with a 66-67-67 at the Tucson Open and then hung on to win when he shot a final-round 73. Edged Charles Courtney by one stroke.
• Los Angeles Open: Captured the last of his three Los Angeles Open titles with a five-stroke win over Gay Brewer.
• Piccadilly World Match Play Championship: Won his second and final Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, edging Australia's Peter Thomson, 1-up, in the finals.
• World Cup: Played in his final World Cup, again with Jack Nicklaus as his partner, and the duo kept its undefeated streak alive, winning by 13 strokes over New Zealand. Also won the International Trophy, the only time he won the individual title, besting Nicklaus by five strokes.
• Vardon Trophy: Won his fourth Vardon Trophy.

1966 Season

Returned to multiple-victory form. Opened his season with a victory at the Los Angeles Open. Moved into a tie for second with a second-round 66 then took command with a third-round, 9-under 62 at Rancho Municipal GC. Took a seven-stroke lead into the final round and won by three after a 2-over 73, beating Miller Barber and Paul Harney.

• Houston Champions International: Final win of the campaign came late in the season, at the Houston Champions International. He came from behind on the final day, shooting a 69 at Champions GC to overtake Gardner Dickinson for a one-stroke win.
• U.S. Open Championship: Endured one of his most disappointing losses of his career. Held a seven-stroke lead with nine holes to play at the U.S. Open at The Olympic Club but struggled on the back nine and watched as Billy Casper tied him at the end of regulation. In the subsequent 18-hole playoff, Casper shot a 69 to win by four strokes.
• Tournament of Champions: Battled through 72 holes to get into a playoff with Gay Brewer at the Tournament of Champions then dominated Brewer in the 18-hole overtime session, shooting a 63 to Brewer's 79.
• Australian Open: Added the Australian Open title to his resume late in the season, beating Australian Kel Nagle by five strokes at the par-74 Royal Queensland GC.
• World Cup: After taking a year break from World Cup competition, he returned with his old partner, Jack Nicklaus, and the U.S. team rolled to a five-stroke win over South Africa. He was fifth in the individual portion of the tournament held at Yomiuri GC in Tokyo, Japan.

1965 Season

Saw his streak of multiple wins in a season end at nine consecutive. Did win once—the Tournament of Champions, an event he won at Desert Inn CC in Las Vegas by two strokes over Al Geiberger and Doug Sanders.

• Ryder Cup Matches: Represented the U.S. for a third time in the Ryder Cup, splitting his two foursomes matches, going 1-1 in his four-balls and winning both of his singles matches in the U.S.'s 19 1/2-to-12 1/2 win.
• PGA Championship: Took back-to-back, two-stroke penalties at the PGA Championship at Laurel Valley GC. In the first round, he allowed two marshals to remove a bridge railing that interfered with his swing. In the second round, he called a penalty on himself after he knocked a rock out of the way with his backswing during a practice stroke.
• Masters Tournament: Finished a distant second at the Masters, with Gary Player, nine strokes behind winner Jack Nicklaus.
• Bay Hill Club: Played an exhibition at a golf course in Orlando, Fla., against Jack Nicklaus, a course he would later purchase and rename Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

1964 Season

Won twice and was second an additional six times. The highlight of his season came when he captured his seventh major championship, winning the Masters by six strokes over Jack Nicklaus and Dave Marr.

• PGA Championship: He joined Billy Casper and Nicklaus in second at the PGA Championship at Columbus CC in Ohio, three strokes behind Bobby Nichols.
• Oklahoma City Open Invitational: His other title came at the Oklahoma City Invitational, a two-stroke triumph over Lionel Hebert.
• Piccadilly World Match Play Championship: Won the inaugural Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, outlasting England's Neil Coles, 2 and 1, in the finals.
• World Cup: He teamed with Nicklaus for the second consecutive year at the World Cup and won again for the U.S., this time at Royal Kaanapali in Maui, Hawaii, by 11 strokes over Argentina. Also battled Nicklaus for the individual title, eventually losing to him by two strokes after a final-round 78.

1963 Season

Led the TOUR in earnings for fourth time in career and won seven times beginning at the Los Angeles Open. Enjoyed a three-stroke triumph over Al Balding at Rancho Municipal GC.

• Ryder Cup Matches: Was the Ryder Cup captain for the first time, competing as a playing captain as the U.S. routed Great Britain, 23-9. Was 1-1 in foursomes, 2-0 in four-balls and 1-1 in singles.
• Whitemarsh Open Invitational: Final win of the campaign came at the Whitemarsh Open in Lafayette Hill, Pa. He defeated Lionel Hebert by a stroke.
• Western Open: His sixth win of the season, at the Western Open at Chicago's Beverly CC, also came in a playoff—against Julius Boros (71) and Jack Nicklaus (73). He shot a 70.
• Cleveland Open Invitational: Traveled to Ohio the next week, and shot 68-66-68 at the Cleveland Open, to get him into a playoff with Tommy Aaron and Tony Lema, an overtime he won.
• U.S. Open Championship: Traveled to Massachusetts the following week and made it into a playoff at the U.S. Open at The Country Club with Julius Boros and Jacky Cupit. Shot a 76 in the 18-hole overtime. Boros won with a 70. Cupit shot 73.
• Thunderbird Classic Invitational: At the Thunderbird Classic Invitational, began a streak of three consecutive playoffs. Defeated Paul Harney in a playoff at Westchester CC after not competing the previous five weeks.
• Pensacola Open Invitational: Held off Harold Kneece, who was looking for his first TOUR title, at the Pensacola Open to prevail by two strokes.
• Phoenix Open Invitational: Punctuated his domination in the desert with a third consecutive win at the Phoenix Open. Battled Gary Player all week before finally taking the title by a stroke at Arizona CC.
• Australian Wills Masters: Won the Australian Wills Masters late in the season.
• World Cup: Played in his third World Cup, and joined forces with Jack Nicklaus to win for the U.S. at St. Nom-La-Breteche in Paris, France. Was T5 in individual play.

1962 Season

Named PGA Player of the Year for the second time and led the money list.

• American Golf Classic: His final of eight wins came at Firestone CC's South Course when he triumphed over Mason Rudolph by five strokes at the American Golf Classic
• U.S. Open Championship: In an epic battle at the U.S. Open at Oakmont CC near his boyhood home, he staged an epic battle with Jack Nicklaus before finally falling in an 18-hole playoff. Came back a month later to win his second consecutive Open Championship, a six-stroke win at Royal Troon in Scotland over Kel Nagle, who had beaten him at the Open Championship two years earlier.
• Tournament of Champions: At the Desert Inn CC in Las Vegas, he nipped Billy Casper by a stroke to win the limited-field Tournament of Champions.
• Texas Open Invitational: Battled Joe Campbell, Littler, Mason Rudolph and Doug Sanders until finally prevailing by a stroke at the Texas Open to win at Oak Hills CC for a second consecutive year.
• Masters Tournament: Was in contention at the Masters for a fourth consecutive year. Held the 36- and 54-hole leads but finished in a tie with Gary Player and Dow Finsterwald. The players would decide that year's Masters in the event's first three-way playoff. He shot a 4-under 68 in the 18-hole playoff to easily outdistance Player (71) and Finsterwald (77) to win his third green jacket.
• Phoenix Open Invitational: Opened with a 64 at the Phoenix Open and finished with a 66 to romp to a 12-stroke successful defense in Arizona over a trio of players.
• Palm Springs Golf Classic: Won his second Palm Springs Golf Classic in three years, taking a three-stroke win over Jay Hebert and Gene Littler in the desert.
• World Cup: Again teamed with Sam Snead at the World Cup. They won for the United States by two strokes over Argentina, and he T2 in individual play, two strokes behind winner Roberto De Vicenzo in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Injury: Severely cut his right-middle finger while carrying luggage. The gash required six stitches, but he missed no tournament action.

1961 Season

His six-win season began in San Diego when he beat Al Balding in a one-hole sudden-death playoff.

• Ryder Cyp Matches: Made his first U.S. Ryder Cup team, compiling a 3-0-1 record for the week in England.
• The Open Championship: Earned his third major championship in two years and was able to come back from his Open Championship disappointment from a year earlier to edge Wales' Dai Rees by a stroke at Royal Birkdale.
• Western Open: Won the Western Open by two strokes over Sam Snead at Blythefield CC in Belmont, Mass.
• Texas Open Invitational: Successfully defended his Texas Open title, this time at Oak Hills CC, edging Al Balding by a stroke.
• Masters Tournament: Seemed ready to win a second consecutive green jacket at the Masters. Was four strokes behind Gary Player when the final round began, but as Player struggled to a 2-over 74 a win looked probable. On Augusta National's closing hole, he double bogeyed while Player got up and down from the bunker to become the tournament's first international winner. He T2 with amateur Charles Coe, a stroke behind Player.
• Sunshine Open Invitational: Had back-to-back runner-up finishes. The first came at the Sunshine Open, where he fell by a stroke to Gary Player even with a final-round 66.
• Baton Rouge Open Invitational: Took a week off then won again, at the Baton Rouge Open. Was seven strokes better than Wes Ellis at Sherwood Forest CC to successfully defend there despite winning on a different course. Won the last two Baton Rouge Opens by 14 strokes.
• Phoenix Open Invitational: Earned a second playoff title a month later in Arizona when he bested Bill Collins in an 18-hole playoff at the Phoenix Open.
• Yomiuri Open: Finished third at the Yomiuri Open in Japan in June.
• Seminole Pro-Am: Also won the unofficial Seminole Pro-Am and finished second on the money list.

1960 Season

Won a career-best eight times, including victories in two major championships, and took home numerous post-season awards, including winning the S. Rae Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year Award (commonly known as the Hickok Belt) that went to the top professional athlete each year. Was only the second golfer to be honored (Ben Hogan in 1953).

• Mobile Sertoma Open Invitational: Shot a final-round 65 in Alabama to win the Mobile Sertoma Open by two strokes over Johnny Pott.
• Insurance City Open Invitational: Shot consecutive 66s to finish regulation at the Insurance City Open to get into a playoff with Jack Fleck and Bill Collins. Won the overtime with a birdie on the third extra hole.
• The Open Championship: In his next start, he came close to picking off his third major of the campaign but came up a stroke short of Kel Nagle at The Open Championship at St. Andrews.
• U.S. Open Championship: His final-round 65 at the U.S. Open at Cherry Hills helped him defeat amateur Jack Nicklaus by two strokes.
• Houston Classic: Final second-place showing came at the Houston Classic, losing this time to Collins by two strokes in an 18-hole playoff.
• Masters Tournament: Won his second Masters tournament with a one-stroke victory over Ken Venturi at Augusta National.
• Pensacola Open Invitational: The following week, he headed to Florida's panhandle and captured the Pensacola Open. Looking to tie Doug Sanders and get in a playoff, he instead birdied the final two holes and beat Sanders by a stroke.
• Baton Rouge Open Invitational: In Louisiana, he won the Baton Rouge Open at Baton Rouge CC by seven strokes over Ron Reif.
• Texas Open Invitational: Was a two-stroke winner at the Texas Open over Doug Ford and Frank Stranahan at Fort Sam Houston GC, beginning a streak of three consecutive wins.
• Palm Springs Desert Golf Classic: At the 90-hole Palm Springs Golf Classic, finished with rounds of 67-66-65 to defeat Fred Hawkins by three.
• World Cup: Joined forces with Snead at the World Cup in Dublin, Ireland. The duo rolled to an eight-stroke victory over England, and he T3 in individual play.
• Hickock Professional Athlete of the Year: Led the money list, was named Hickock Professional Athlete of the Year and also earned Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year honors.

1959 Season

Was five strokes behind entering the final round of the Thunderbird Invitational. Shot a 62 to storm past Jimmy Demaret and Ken Venturi, the winner of the last three Thunderbirds, to win by three.

• Coral Gables Open Invitational: Was tied for first with Dow Finsterwald at the season-ending Coral Gables Open outside Miami, shot a final-round 72 to drop to T3, six strokes behind Doug Sanders.
• West Palm Beach Open Invitational: Under trying conditions in November at the West Palm Beach Invitational, where the final-round stroke average was 76.2 and no player broke 70, he came back from a third-round 66 with a 76 to get into a playoff with Gay Brewer and Pete Cooper.
• Western Open: Earlier in the season, playing in front of a hometown crowd, lost the Western Open crowd by a stroke to Mike Souchak at Pittsburgh Field Club in Aspinwall, Pa.
• Oklahoma City Open Invitational: Waited four months for his next title, the Oklahoma City Open. Opened with a 73 then reeled off rounds of 64-67-69 to beat Bob Goalby by two.
• Masters Tournament: Just missed successfully defending his Masters title. Was tied for the 54-hole lead but shot a final-round 74 and T3, watching Art Wall come from six strokes off the pace to win by two.

1958 Season

Had numerous near-misses during the season, including five runner-up performances. Was T2 at both the Tijuana Open and Baton Rouge Open. Lost in a playoff to Howie Johnson in March at the Azalea Open. Was also T2 in the inaugural Buick Open, falling by a stroke to Billy Casper. Lost the Utah Open by a stroke at Salt Lake CC when Finsterwald gained some revenge, winning by one shot. Still led the money list for the first time, pocketing $42,608.

• Pepsi Championship: Held a five-stroke lead through 54 holes of the Pepsi Championship at Pine Hollow CC in East Norwich, NY. Maintained that advantage through the final round, easily winning over Jay Hebert on Long Island.
• Masters Tournament: Was tied for sixth through 36 holes at the Masters Tournament then shot rounds of 68-73 to edge Doug Ford by a stroke to win at Augusta National for the first time.
• St. Petersburg Open Invitational: He began the final round at the St. Petersburg Open four strokes behind Dow Finsterwald. Shot a final-round 65 to beat Finsterwald by a stroke.

1957 Season

Was a four-time winner, with the first title coming at Memorial Park GC at the Houston Open. Defeated Doug Ford by a stroke. Had nine other top-10s and finished fifth on the money list.

• San Diego Open Invitational: Final win of the campaign came at the San Diego Open in November. He beat Al Balding by a stroke at Mission Valley CC.
• Rubber City Open Invitational: Nicked Ford again at the Rubber City Open in Ohio, defeating him in a playoff.
• Azalea Open Invitational: Under difficult conditions at the Azaela Open, where there was only one round in the 60s over the final 36, he shot rounds of 70-75 to defeat Dow Finsterwald by a stroke.
• Mountain View Open: Won the unoffical Mountain View Open in Roanoke, Va., shooting rounds of 67-68 to beat John Musser by four shots.
• West Penn Open: Prior to the Kansas City Open, he stayed home to try to win the West Penn Open. After finishing T2 twice as an amateur at his hometown event, he finally won the 36-hole, one-day tournament at Fox Chapel GC in Pittsburgh, beating defending champion Lew Worsham by six strokes.

1956 Season

Won multiple titles for the first time in his career. Picked up first championship of the season, at the Insurance City Open, in a two-hole sudden-death playoff over Ted Kroll, making birdie on the second hole using, ironically, a putter he borrowed from Kroll. Followed his win in Canada a year earlier with a pair of international wins, in successive starts, at the Panama Open and the Colombia Open. In Panama City, he finished tied with Sam Snead at the end of regulation, forcing the duo into a six-hole playoff. He defeated Snead when he made a 10-foot birdie putt. In Cali, he trailed Chick Harbert by seven strokes with 18 holes to play. In the final round, he shot a 65 to win by two shots over Argentina's Raoul Posse. He earned a combined $3,500 for his two international victories.

• Eastern Open: Second title came in Maryland, at the Eastern Open. He defeated Dow Finsterwald by two strokes at Mount Pleasant Municipal GC. Just missed a third win even though he shot four rounds in the 60s. Lost at the Rubber City Open by a stroke to Ed Furgol.

1955 Season

• Canadian Open: Won his first professional event, the Canadian Open, in Toronto. Defeated Jack Burke, Jr. by four strokes at Weston GC.
• St. Paul Open: Other top-five finish came in Minnesota. Opened 65-67 but was still three strokes behind Jerry Barber at the 36-hole mark of the St. Paul Open. Slipped to 70-71 in his final two rounds to T3, four strokes behind winner Tommy Bolt.
• Panama Open: Finished second at the Panama Open, losing by a stroke to Argentina's Antonio Cerda.

Season

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Amateur Highlights

• Won the 1954 U.S. Amateur at the CC of Detroit. Also played in five TOUR events that year, all as an amateur, with his top finish a T7 at the Azalea Open. Missed the cut at the U.S. Open and added a T14 at the All American Open outside Chicago.
• Made two 1953 TOUR starts, missing the cut at the U.S. Open and placing T47 at the Carling Open.
• Made his first PGA TOUR cut, finishing 54th at the 1949 Dapper Dan Open.
• While still a student at Wake Forest, made his PGA TOUR debut, missing the cut at the 1948 Greater Greensboro Open. Shot rounds of 78-76 to tie with five others at 154..