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Gene Sarazen
Gene Sarazen

Gene Sarazen

United StatesUnited States
on
off
Metric
5  ft, 5  in
165 cm
Height
150 lbs
68 kg
Weight
1999 (Age 97)
DECEASED
1920
Turned Pro
Harrison, New York
Birthplace
5  ft, 5  in
165 cm
Height
150 lbs
68 kg
Weight
1999 (Age 97)
DECEASED
1920
Turned Pro
Harrison, New York
Birthplace
--
FEDEXCUP Rank (1973)
OWGR--
OWGR
--
Scoring Average (1973)

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Gene Sarazen
Gene Sarazen
United StatesUnited States
Metric
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Print
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Gene Sarazen

Full Name

5  ft, 5  in

165 cm

Height

150 lbs

68 kg

Weight

February 27, 1902

Birthday

1999 (Age 97)

DECEASED

Harrison, New York

Birthplace

Wife, Mary; Gene, Mary Ann

Family

1920

Turned Pro

$76,815

Career Earnings

Indu

Hall of Fame

JOINED TOUR

  • PGA TOUR: 1920

PGA TOUR Victories (38)

  • 1922 Southern (Spring) Open, U.S. Open Championship, PGA Championship
  • 1923 PGA Championship
  • 1925 Metropolitan Open
  • 1926 Miami Open
  • 1927 Miami Open, Long Island Open, Metropolitan PGA
  • 1928 Miami Beach Open, Miami Open, Nassau Bahamas Open, Metropolitan PGA
  • 1929 Miami Open, Miami Beach Open
  • 1930 Miami Open, Agua Caliente Open, Florida West Coast Open, United States Pro Invitational, Concord Country Club Invitational, Western Open, Lannin Memorial Tournament, Middle Atlantic Open
  • 1931 Florida West Coast Open, La Gorce Open, Lannin Memorial Tournament
  • 1932 True Temper Open, Coral Gables Open Invitational, The Open Championship, U.S. Open Championship
  • 1933 PGA Championship
  • 1935 Augusta National Invitation, Massachusetts Open, Long Island Open
  • 1937 Florida West Coast Open, Chicago Open
  • 1938 Lake Placid Open
  • 1941 Miami Biltmore International Four-Ball

International Victories (1)

  • 1936 Australian Open

Additional Victories (4)

  • 1954 PGA Seniors' Championship
  • 1958 PGA Seniors' Championship
  • 1928 Miami International Four-Ball [with Johnny Farrell]
  • 1930 Metropolitan PGA Championship

PLAYOFF RECORD

PGA TOUR (3-5)

  • 1926 Lost to Bill Mehlhorn, South Florida Open Championship
  • 1926 Lost to Macdonald Smith, Metropolitan Open
  • 1927 Lost to Joe Turnesa, Ridgewood Country Club Open
  • 1928 Defeated Johnny Farrell, Nassau Bahamas Open
  • 1930 Lost to Leo Diegel, Oregon Open Championship
  • 1935 Defeated Craig Wood, Augusta National Invitation
  • 1935 Massachusetts Open
  • 1940 Lost to Lawson Little, U.S. Open Championship

National Teams

  • 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1935, 1937 Ryder Cup

Personal

  • Nicknamed "The Squire" for his fashion sense and knickers he wore on the golf course. Was christened Eugenio Saraceni, but at the suggestion of Brooklawn CC assistant pro Al Ciuci, he had his name legally changed. "Eugenio was not a bad name for a violinist but a rotten name for an athlete. And Saraceni was too long, and everyone used to irritate me by mispronouncing it."
  • His father, Federico, an immigrant carpenter from Rome, Italy, was against his son pursuing golf as a career. Became interested in golf after suffering from pleurisy, with doctors advising him to find less strenuous work than working as an apprentice carpenter with his father.
  • Became associated with the game through caddying as an 8-year-old at Larchmont CC. Later worked at Apawamis Club in Rye, N.Y., as a 10-year-old, where he and future TV star Ed Sullivan were caddies–Nos. 99 and 98 in the caddie room, respectively. At Apawamis, he was the personal caddie to noted amateur and advertising man Frank Presbrey. Dropped out of school after the sixth grade.
  • Siena College established The Gene and Mary Sarazen Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to 20 Siena students, and more than 100 students have graduated with the help of the scholarship from the Loudonville, N.Y., school.
  • In 1999, the Gene Sarazen Cup became the permanent trophy awarded to the World Golf Championships-American Express Championship, a tournament later renamed the Cadillac Championship.4

Special Interests

Career Highlights

2028 Season

  • Bahamas Open: Contended at the first of two tournaments outside the U.S. At the 36-hole Bahamas Open, he came from behind over the final nine holes to force a playoff. The overtime with Farrell ended abruptly on the third hole when he made a birdie-2 on the third extra hole. In trying to duplicate his opponent's feat, Farrell's birdie attempt hit the back of the cup, popped up but didn't drop in.

1999 Season

Served as one of the Masters Tournament's Honorary Starters for the final time. Suffering from pneumonia, he died at Naples Community Hospital in Florida on May 14. The Sarazen World Open became an official European Tour event, posthumously honoring its namesake at the tournament in Barcelona, Spain.

1998 Season

A collaborative course design with Sam Snead, The Slammer and The Squire, opened near the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.

1996 Season

Received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the PGA TOUR, honoring him for making "outstanding contributions to the PGA TOUR over an extended period of time" and for "serving as an ambassador of the game."

  • Sarazen World Open Championship: Attached his name to the Sarazen World Open, an unofficial PGA TOUR event played at The Legends at Chateau Elan in Georgia.

1992 Season

Received the Distinguished Service Award for his "universal impact on the life and livelihood of the PGA professional" from the PGA of America.

  • Bob Jones Award: The USGA presented him with the Bob Jones Award, the organization's highest honor.

1986 Season

His wife, Mary, died after 62 years of marriage.

1985 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Played in his final Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, with Paul Runyan. The duo opened with a best-ball score of 2-under 68 at Onion Creek CC on their way to a T27 finish.

1984 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Played again with Paul Runyan at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.
  • Charlie Bartlett Award: Received the Charlie Bartlett Award from the Golf Writers Association of American for his unselfish contributions to the betterment of society.

1983 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: His only start was at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, again with Jimmy Demaret as his partner.

1982 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Played with a fifth teammate–Jimmy Demaret–in as many years at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.

1981 Season

Named as a Masters Tournament Honorary Starter, joining Byron Nelson.

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Teamed with Paul Runyan at the Legends of Golf.

1980 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Played with his third different teammate at the Legends of Golf. Along with Jim Ferrier, they finished 20th in the 20-team field.

1979 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Played with Bob Goalby at the Legends of Golf and T11.

1978 Season

  • Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf: Played in the inaugural Legends of Golf at Onion Creek CC, teaming with Doug Ford and T8.
  • Doctor of Humane Letters: Siena College awarded him an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.

1974 Season

Was one of 13 members of the inaugural class of inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame, at the time located in Pinehurst, N.C.

  • Metroplitan PGA Hall of Fame: Inducted that same year into the Metroplitan PGA Hall of Fame, along with five others.

1973 Season

  • The Open Championship: Playing in his final Open Championship, at age 71, at Royal Troon, he made a hole-in-one at No. 8 by hitting a punch 5-iron at a hole nicknamed the "Postage Stamp." He missed the cut.

1970 Season

  • Westchester Classic: Played in his final PGA TOUR tournament, the Westchester Classic near where he grew up. Missed the cut at Westchester CC after rounds of 78-79.
  • The Open Championship: Also played in The Open Championship, missing the cut.

1967 Season

  • Westchester Classic: Played in a PGA TOUR event after a four-year hiatus. Withdrew after an opening 76 at the Westchester Classic in his only TOUR start that season.
  • Better Golf: Wrote Better Golf after 50.

1965 Season

Received the William D. Richardson Award from the Golf Writers Association of American for his outstanding contributions to golf.

1963 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Played in his final Masters Tournament. Shot rounds of 74-73-81-80 to finish 49th.

1962 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Opened 74-74 at the Masters Tournament but withdrew from the event.
  • "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf": Appeared in the ninth episode of "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf," playing a match against Henry Cotton in the Old Course at St. Andrews GC in Scotland.

1961 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Missed the cut at the Masters.
  • PGA Seniors' Championship: Was T34 at the PGA Seniors' Championship.

1960 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Missed the cut at the Masters.

1959 Season

Played in multiple PGA TOUR events for the final time in his career. Missed the cut at the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am and the Masters Tournament and withdrew from the PGA Championship even though his 73-74 start at Minneapolis GC was good enough to make the cut.

  • PGA Seniors' Championship: In defense of his PGA Seniors' Championship, he struggled all week and T36 in the 36-player field.

1958 Season

  • PGA Seniors' Championship: Won the PGA Seniors' Championship for a second time, this time in the event's first 72-hole competition. Fired rounds of 73-71-74-70 at PGA National to beat Charles Sheppard by three strokes.

1957 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Missed the cut at the Masters.
  • PGA Seniors' Championship: Took the first-round lead at the PGA Seniors' Championship in Dunedin, Fla., in January, skied to a 76 on the second day and eventually settled for a solo sixth, two shots out of the Al Watrous-Robert Stupple playoff.

1956 Season

  • Convair-San Diego Open: Opened with a 69 at the Convair-San Diego Open at Singing Hills GC before withdrawing.
  • PGA Championship: Played in his final PGA Championship at match-play. Won three matches before losing to Sam Snead, 4 and 3, in the fourth round of the expanded 128-player tournament.
  • Apawamis Professional-Amateur: Returned to Apawamis CC for the unofficial Apawamis Pro-Am.
  • Masters Tournament: Made the cut at the Masters, finishing T49.
  • PGA Seniors' Championship: Was T12 at the PGA Seniors' Championship in January.

1955 Season

  • Insurance City Open: Played nine holes at the Insurance City Open outside Hartford, shot a 41 and withdrew.
  • PGA Championship: Was T17 at the PGA Championship. Beat Clarence Doser in the first round before losing to Shelley Mayfield in the second round.
  • Virginia Beach Open: Was T42 at the Virginia Beach Open.
  • Masters Tournament: Augusta National GC dedicated the Sarazen Bridge on the 15th hole to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his double eagle there during his 1935 Masters victory.
  • PGA Seniors' Championship: In defense of his PGA Seniors' Championship, he T2, four strokes behind winner Mortie Dutra.

1954 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Was T53 at the Masters Tournament.
  • PGA Seniors' Championship: Made his PGA Seniors' Championship debut at a tournament that had used a 36-hole format but switched to 54 holes at PGA National GC in Florida. Despite a final-round 75, he beat Perry Del Vecchio and Al Watrous by two strokes to capture the $1,000 first prize.

1953 Season

Played in two majors–the Masters (T35) and the PGA Championship (T33, losing to Felize Torza in the first round).

  • Virginia Beach Open: In three starts, his top finish was a T25 at the Virginia Beach Open.

1952 Season

In three PGA TOUR starts, he made the cut at the U.S. Open, finishing T33.

1951 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Enjoyed his last under-par round at the Masters Tournament, a final-round 71 on his way to a T12 finish.

1950 Season

  • Masters Tournament: Turned in his final top-10 at the Masters Tournament. After opening with an 8-over 80, he played his subsequent 54 holes in 2-under to T10.
  • Thirty Years of Championship Golf: Authored his second book, with Herbert Warren Wind, Thirty Years of Championship Golf.

1948 Season

  • PGA Championship: Lost to Ben Hogan, 1-down, in the third round of the PGA Championship at Norwood Hills CC in St. Louis.
  • Masters Tournament: Returned to play in the Masters Tournament for the first time since 1942 (missed because of the war years and didn't play in 1946 and 1947). Was T23.

1947 Season

  • PGA Championship: Was 9 as a third-round, 1-down, loser to Ky Laffoon at the PGA Championship at Plum Hollow CC in Detroit for his only top-10 of the campaign.

1946 Season

  • All American Open: His lone start came at the All-American Open in Chicago, where he T19.

1945 Season

  • Richmond Invitational: Only other top-10 in four starts was a T9 at the Richmond Open in Virginia.
  • Tam O'Shanter Open: Finished a distant 11 strokes behind Byron Nelson, T2 with Ben Hogan, at the Tam O'Shanter Open in Chicago. The $5,333 he earned in war bonds was the largest payday of his PGA TOUR career.

1944 Season

  • Chicago Victory Open: Was T8 in the TOUR's next event, the Chicago Victory Open.
  • New York Red Cross Tourney: Finished T4 at the New York Red Cross Tournament in New Rochelle, N.Y., at Wykagil CC.
  • North & South Open Championship: His other top-10 in the abbreviated season was T6 at the North and South Open, a tournament deemed unofficial that year because of World War II.

1943 Season

Because of World War II, made only two starts, finishing 31st at the Chicago Victory Open in August and T22 at the Miami Open in December.

1942 Season

  • PGA Championship: Shot a 36-hole score of 7-over 149 at Seaview CC and didn't qualify for match play at the PGA Championship in Atlantic City.
  • North & South Open Championship: Only other top-10 finish among his eight official starts was a solo eighth at the North and South Open in North Carolina.
  • Miami Biltmore Four-Ball: In defense of his Miami Biltmore International Four-Ball title with Ben Hogan, the duo T3, losing in the semifinals to the team of Herman Keiser and Chandler Harper, 5 and 4.

1941 Season

Only played in 10 events but was top-10 in eight of them–with his victory at the Miami Biltmore International Four-Ball, teaming with Ben Hogan, giving him his first title in three years. It was his last official TOUR victory. At the Four-Ball in Miami, joined Hogan and the pairing edged Ralph Guldahl and Sam Snead, 4 and 3, in the final in Coral Gables. His eagle chip-in on the 550-yard 15th hole (the 33rd of the day) locked up the match for the duo.

  • Canadian Open: Seventeen years after coming close to winning the Canadian Open, again fell just short, turning in a T3 at Lambton GC in Toronto, three strokes behind Sam Snead.
  • PGA Championship: Advanced to the semifinals of the PGA Championship in Colorado at Cherry Hills CC before losing to eventual tournament runner-up Byron Nelson.
  • Goodall Round Robin: Was T2 with Vic Ghezzi at the Goodall Round Robin in May.

1940 Season

  • PGA Championship: Made it to the quarterfinals of the PGA Championship in Hershey, Pa., before losing to Sam Snead. In the process of his two wins, he recorded his 42nd and 43rd match-play victories.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Battled Lawson Little all week at the U.S. Open at Canterbury GC in Ohio. His 70-72 finish on the final day was the best 36-hole performance in the field, but it only got him into a playoff with Little, which Little won the following day by three strokes in an 18-hole playoff.
  • Goodall Palm Beach Round Robin: Also enjoyed seven other top-10 finishes, with his third-place showing at the Goodall Palm Beach Round Robin his top performance.

1939 Season

  • Glens Falls Open: Best finish of the year was another disappointing one at the Glens Falls Open. A year after finishing runner-up, he T3 despite shooting a final-round 67 to finish a stroke out of the Denny Shute-Horton Smith playoff that Shute won.
  • PGA Championship: Dropped a 1-down, first-round match to Jack Ryan at the PGA Championship in Flushing, NY.
  • Masters Tournament: Held the lead at the halfway mark of the Masters Tournament after he shot a tournament-low 66 in the second round. Dropped to a solo-fifth finish with a pair of 72s in the third and fourth rounds.
  • Metropolitan PGA Championship: Was dominant in the unofficial Metropolitan PGA Championship in early October at Bayside Golf Club on Long Island. Defeated Jimmy Hines, 10 and 9, in the 36-hole final after dispatching Joe Rich (7 and 6), Ralph Leaf (2 and 1), Jack Sabol (4 and 3) and Al Brosch (2 and 1) in his first four matches.

1938 Season

  • Glens Falls Open: Returned to New York, this time upstate, for the Glen Falls Open, and was T2, two strokes behind winner Tony Manero.
  • Lake Placid Open: A year after finishing runner-up at the Lake Placid Open, he shot a 70-68 Sunday to defeat Stanley Horne by two strokes.
  • PGA Championship: Lost to Henry Picard in 38 holes in the PGA Championship's third round in Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pa.
  • Palm Beach Round Robin: Had the first of two second-place showings. In June at the Palm Beach Round Robin, finished runner-up to Sam Snead in New York.

1937 Season

  • Lake Placid Open: At the Lake Placid Open in New York, he finished runner-up to Vic Ghezzi, losing by four strokes.
  • Chicago Open: Playing a 36-hole final Sunday at the Chicago Open at Medinah CC, he was tied for the lead at the halfway point with Harry Adams and George Smith. Shot 71-75 on the final day at the No. 3 Course to edge Smith, Ky Laffoon and Harry Cooper by a stroke to win $3,000.
  • Ryder Cup: Played in the Ryder Cup for a final time and finished on a high note. After halving his foursomes match, with Denny Shute as his partner, he edged Percy Allis, 1-up, in singles. Finished his Ryder Cup career with a 7-2-3 record in six events and 12 matches. Held off two of the younger players who were making their marks on TOUR, defeating Byron Nelson and Sam Snead by three strokes at the Florida West Coast Open in Belleair.

1936 Season

  • PGA Championship: Was one of three former PGA Championship winners in the field at the PGA Championship (Tommy Armour and Paul Runyan) at Pinehurst, with all three losing in the first round. Jack Patroni defeated him, 1-up.
  • Augusta National Invitation: In defense of his Augusta National Invitation title, recovered from an opening 78 to shoot a tournament-low, second-round 67. Was 2-under on the weekend to finish solo third.
  • Augusta National Invitation: Went winless for the first time since 1924 playing a reduced "official" schedule but stayed active through exhibitions. Was playing exhibitions in South America and missed playing in the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament in Augusta, Ga.
  • Miami Open: Came up short in search of his third win at the Miami Open. Eventually finished solo second, five strokes behind Willie Klein despite shooting 4-under 66s in the second and final rounds.
  • Australian Open: Went winless domestically but did pick up an international victory, at the Australian Open–his lone title outside the United States. At the Metropolitan GC in Melbourne, he edged Harry Williams to become the first non-Australian to win the tournament.
  • St. Augustine Pro-Amateur: In St. Augustine, Fla., in March, joined with amateur Wally Reynolds of Jacksonville to defeat Henry Picard and New York amateur Jack Cummins to win the St. Augustine Pro-Amateur, an official TOUR event in 1935 and 1937 but not this season. The match went to 39 holes.

1935 Season

  • U.S. Open Championship: Was T6 at the U.S. Open at Oakmont CC in Pennsylvania. His final two rounds of 78-79 left him four behind Sam Parks, Jr.
  • Massachusetts Open: Opened a 10-stroke lead at the halfway point of the Massachusetts Open in Fitchburg and rolled to a 14-stroke win over Guy Paulson. His winning 285 total equaled the 72-hole record set in 1922 by George Kerrigan and was the second-largest winning margin in history at the time, behind only the 16-stroke margins by J. Douglas Edgar (1919 Canadian Open) and Joe Kirkwood, Sr. (1924 Corpus Christi Open).
  • Augusta National Invitation: After not playing in the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament (later known as the Masters Tournament) in 1934, he immediately made his presence known at the Augusta, Ga., tournament. In that year's event, he went to the par-5 15th hole at Augusta National GC and hit his 4-wood second shot from 235 yards into the hole for the first double eagle in tournament history, later to be known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World." That shot helped him into a playoff, a 36-hole affair, he won over Craig Wood, 144 to 149, to complete to modern-day career grand slam.
  • Ryder Cup: Went undefeated at the Ryder Cup as the U.S. won back the Cup from Great Britain. He paired with playing captain Walter Hagen to win foursomes then beat Jack Busson, 3 and 2, in singles at Ridgewood CC in New Jersey.

1934 Season

Went winless for the first time since 1924 playing a reduced "official" schedule but stayed active through exhibitions.

  • PGA Championship: In defense of his PGA Championship, he lost in the quarterfinals to Al Watrous, 4 and 3.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Looked to be in charge at the U.S. Open at the Merion Cricket Club outside Philadelphia, but a final-round 76 after shooting a 3-over 73 in the morning's third round, left him as the runner-up, one stroke behind Olin Dutra.
  • Augusta National Invitation: Was playing exhibitions in South America and missed playing in the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament in Augusta, Ga.
  • Miami Open: Played well at the Miami Open in early January but could only muster a solo fourth, six strokes out of the Willie Dow-Ralph Stonehouse playoff.
  • Miami Open: Started his season at the Miami Open, and was fourth, two shots out of the Ralph Stonehouse-Willie Dow playoff that Stonehouse won.

1933 Season

  • The Open Championship: At The Open Championship at St. Andrews, he recorded a triple bogey-6 in the second round and had a second triple bogey, at the par-5 14th hole, eventually finished a stroke outside the Denny Shute-Craig Wood playoff.
  • Los Angeles Open: Early in the season, flu and a temperature of 103 forced him to withdraw during the final round of the Los Angeles Open. He collapsed and had to be hospitalized in nearby Santa Monica.
  • Ryder Cup: Returned to the British Isles later in the season. Made his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup team, with his U.S. team dropping a one-point decision to Great Britain at Southport and Ainsdale GC in England. He paired with playing captain Water Hagen and halved their match in foursomes. Came back on the second day to win in singles, 6 and 4, over Alf Padgham.
  • Miami Open: Was solo third at the Miami Open to begin his season, seven shots in back of winner Johnny Revolta.
  • Wannamaker Trophy: Ten years after winning his second PGA Championship title, he added a third Wannamaker Trophy, defeating Willie Goggin, 5 and 4, in the scheduled 36-hole final at Blue Mound CC in Milwaukee for his second major championship title in as many years. Defeated Vince Eldred, Harry Cooper, Ed Dudley and Johnny Farrell to get to the finals.

1932 Season

  • PGA Championship: His streak of 11 consecutive PGA Championship appearances ended.
  • The Open Championship: At The Open Championship, at Prince's GC in England, he routed the field, winning by five strokes over Macdonald Smith and broke Bobby Jones' 72-hole tournament record set in 1927 at St. Andrews. He negotiated Prince's many bunkers with a sand wedge, a club he popularized when he added a flange to the back of his niblick, a design he kept hidden for fear that the club would be banned.
  • True Temper Open: Also won the True Temper Open by a stroke over Harry Cooper.
  • Agua Caliente Open: Came close to picking up his second Agua Caliente Open in three years but was two strokes shy of winner Fred Morrison in Mexico.
  • Male Athlete of the Year Award: Won major championships two weeks apart, and for that distinction earned the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Award, the first time a golfer had been so honored. Opened 76-74 at the U.S. Open at Fresh Meadow CC in New York but came in with a 70 in the third round then followed that in the afternoon with a final-round 66 to outlast Bobby Cruickshank and T. Philip Perkins by three strokes. His 286 total tied the tournament 72-hole record set by Chick Evans at Minikahda Club 16 years earlier.

1931 Season

  • Lannin Memorial Tournament: Defended his Lannin Memorial Tournament title, shooting rounds of 74-72 on the final day to again best Cooper, this time by two strokes.
  • Metropolitan PGA: Was also the runner-up at the Metropolitan PGA Championship, to Paul Runyan.
  • Metropolitan Open: Came up short at the Metropolitan Open, finishing solo second, five strokes behind MacDonald Smith.
  • La Gorce Open: Won the La Gorce Open in Miami Beach. Tied through 69 holes with Tommy Armour, he made three of his eight birdies on those final three holes to win the $5,000 first-place check in the $15,000 tournament at La Gorce GC.
  • Miami International Four-Ball: Paired with Johnny Farrell at the Miami Four-Ball, the duo lost to the team of Willie MacFarlane and Wiffy Cox, 3 and 2, in a hole playoff after the teams were deadlocked at the end of regulation.
  • Florida West Coast Open: At the Florida West Coast Open, he shot rounds of 67-72-68-71 to beat Harry Cooper by three strokes.
  • Florida West Coast Open: Won three tournaments, including a successful defense of his Florida West Coast Open.
  • Ryder Cup: Played for the U.S. in the Ryder Cup for a third consecutive competition. Enjoyed much better success than in 1929. Went undefeated, joining Johnny Farrell in foursomes to rout Archie Compston and William Davies, 8 and 7. Came back to beat Fred Robson in singles, 7 and 6.

1930 Season

  • Oregon Open Championship: Last runner-up performance of the campaign came at the Oregon Open, where he lost in a playoff to Leo Diegel.
  • Middle Atlantic Open: Final win of the year came at the Middle Atlantic Open at Woodholme CC outside Baltimore. Shot a final-day 77-71 to defeat Willie MacFarlane by four shots.
  • Glens Falls Open: Shot a final-round, tournament-low 65 at the Glen Falls Open in New York but still fell four strokes shy of Tony Manero.
  • PGA Championship: Had four runner-up finishes–most notably at the PGA Championship, where he lost in the final match to Tommy Armour, 1-up, at Fresh Meadows CC in Flushing, NY.
  • Lannin Memorial Tournament: At the Joseph Lannin Memorial Tournament, in honor of the former Boston Red Sox owner, he shot a final-round 70 on the Salisbury Links in Salisbury, N.Y., to beat Walter Kozak by one shot.
  • Western Open: Biggest win of the season came at the Western Open at Indianwood G&CC in Orion, MI, in August. Rolled to a seven-stroke win over Al Espinosa. Opened with a 1-over 73 then finished 69-69-67. No other player even had two sub-70 rounds.
  • United States Pro Invitational: Won the 36-hole United States Pro Invitational against a field of 10 pros, beating Johnny Golden by one stroke at Concord CC near Wilmington, Del., in July. SHot rounds of 71-67. During his 71, had a unique card, consisting of 17 4s and one 3.
  • Florida West Coast Open: Won his third title of the year, in Belleair, Fla., when he took home the Florida West Coast Open, firing a 1-under 69 in his final round to beat Jim Turnesa by three strokes.
  • Pensacola Open Invitational: Was also second at the Pensacola Open, a stroke behind Johnny Farrell.
  • Agua Caliente Open: Won the Agua Caliente Open in Mexico by two strokes, trimming 11 strokes off his third-round 79 by shooting a 68 that earned him a career-best $10,000 in the $25,000 tournament. Was tied for seventh, three strokes behind Al Espinosa when the final round began.
  • Miami Open: Won a career-high seven tournaments. Opened his season by winning the Miami Open for a fourth consecutive time, by a stroke over William Leach in windy conditions. Shot a 3-under 69, the tournament low, in the morning during the 36-hole final round.
  • Lakeview Club: Resigned his position at Fresh Meadow CC to take the head job at nearby Lakeview Club.

1929 Season

  • Western Open: Hovered near the top of the leaderboard all four days of the Western Open at Ozaukee CC in Wisconsin before settling on a solo fourth, a distant nine shots behind Tommy Armour.
  • Long Island Open: Shot a final-round 76 to MacDonald Smith's 72 at the Long Island Open, with Smith winning by two shots.
  • U.S. Open Championship: At the U.S. Open at Winged Foot GC, was tied for the lead at the halfway point. However a 76-78 finish left him two strokes behind winner Bobby Jones.
  • Fort Myers Open: Had four consecutive top-five finishes in Florida in February and March. Was third at the Pensacola Open, third at the Fort Myers Open and T3 at the Florida West Coast Open before finishing runner-up with Johnny Farrell in the International Four-Ball in Miami in March. Lost in the final match to Walter Hagen and Leo Diegel, 1-up.
  • Miami Beach Open: In Miami Beach, he won the event for a third consecutive time. He went to the 72nd hole at La Gorce CC, a par 5, trailing George Christ by a stroke. After reaching the green in two, he made a 30-foot eagle putt. Christ missed his birdie putt and settled for a par to lose by a shot.
  • Miami Open: At the Miami Open, he won the event for a third consecutive time, in eight-stroke fashion, over Jock Hutchison while battling windy, rainy conditions during the final 36 holes
  • Ryder Cup: Again played for the U.S. in the Ryder Cup, as Great Britain defeated the U.S., 7-5. He paired with Ed Dudley but lost the duo's foursomes match against Abe Mitchell and Fred Robson. Also lost his singles match with Archie Compston, 6 and 4, the only Ryder Cup where he didn't win at least one match.

1928 Season

  • PGA Championship: Also finished third at the PGA Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, routed in the semifinals by Leo Diegel, 9 and 8.
  • Metropolitan PGA: Win No. 4 on the season came at Quaker Ridge GC in Scarsdale, N.Y., when he won the Metropolitan PGA Championship for a second consecutive year, taking down Craig Wood, 2 and 1, in the final.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Contended at all the major championships. Was T6 at the U.S. Open with seven other players, two strokes out of the Johnny Farrell-Bobby Jones playoff.
  • The Open Championship: Again traveled outside the U.S., to The Open Championship, where he was runner-up to Walter Hagen at Royal St. George's, losing by two strokes.
  • Miami Open: Came back to edge Jock Hutchison by a stroke at the Miami Open for his second consecutive win at that tournament.
  • Miami Beach Open: Won the Miami Beach Open with four consecutive 73s to beat Johnny Farrell by three strokes.

1927 Season

  • Ridgewood Country Club Open: In late September, played in the Ridgewood Country Club Open in New Jersey, a 36-hole event featuring 31 professionals. Made it into a playoff with Joe Turnesa before bowing out in the extra session.
  • Metropolitan PGA: Hung on at the Metropolitan PGA Championship to defeat Leo Diegel by three strokes.
  • Long Island Open: Rolled to a huge win at the Long Island Open at Salisbury Links, the first of two wins in the New York area. In the 36-hole final day, he entered the final round with an 11-stroke lead after an even-par 72. Despite shooting a 4-over 76 in the afternoon, he still won by 11.
  • U.S. Open Championship: A third-round 80 at Oakmont CC derailed his hopes of winning the U.S. Open. Came back in the afternoon to shoot a 74 but still ended a stroke shy of the Tommy Armour-Harry Cooper playoff.
  • Central Florida Open: Was fifth at the Central Florida Open in Sanford.
  • Miami Open: Opened his season in style, winning the Miami Open on New Year's Day, beating Willie Klein by a stroke when he made a birdie-3 on the 72nd hole.
  • Ryder Cup: Played in the inaugural Ryder Cup matches, winning his foursomes match with Al Watrous (over Arthur Havers and Herbert Jolly) and halving his singles match with Charles Whitcombe at Worcester CC.
  • Miami International Four-Ball: At the International Four-Ball at the Miami Biltmore GC, won his opening match with Al Espinosa, 2 and 1, over Laurie Ayton and Alex Ayton. In the second round, beat Willie Klein and Charles Murray. Lost in the semifinals to the team of Tommy Armour and Bobby Cruickshank, 3 and 2.

1926 Season

  • PGA Championship: Won his first-round PGA Championship match against Jim Barnes at Salisbury GL in New York. Fell in the second round, 5 and 3, to John Golden.
  • Western Open: Finished well behind winner Walter Hagen at the Western Open at Highland G&CC in Indianapolis. Hoped to put pressure on Hagen, but a final-round 75 left him nine strokes shy and T2.
  • U.S. Open Championship: At the U.S. Open at Scioto CC in Columbus, Ohio, recovered from a 78-77 start that left him 11 behind at the halfway mark to shoot 72-70 over the final 36 holes to T3 with four others, four shots behind winner Bobby Jones.
  • Canadian Open: Shot his worse round of the tournament in the final round, a 3-over 76, and finished solo second at the Canadian Open, three strokes behind Macdonald Smith at Royal Montreal GC.
  • Winter Pro Golf Championship: At the Winter Pro Golf Championship in St. Augustine, Fla., lost to Johnny Farrell in the semifinals, 4 and 3.
  • South Florida Open Championship: At the South Florida Open in Sebring, finished regulation tied with Bill Mehlhorn. They duo played 18 extra holes, with nothing decided as they remained deadlocked. Officials called for another nine-hole playoff, which again resulted in a tie. The tournament then held an additional three-hole playoff, that Mehlhorn won by a stroke. Sarazen finished with 396 strokes in the 102-hole event.
  • Lakeland Open: Finished T3 at the Lakeland Open in Florida, tied with Bobby Cruickshank, three shots back of winner Archie Compston.
  • Miami Open: Was T3 at the Miami Open, losing to Willie Klein.

1925 Season

  • Long Island Open: Was solo second at the Long Island Open, a distant 10 strokes behind winner MacDonald Smith.
  • Metropolitan Open: Lone victory came at the Metropolitan Open. Waged a spirited battle all week with Joe Turnesa, Mike Brady and Tom Kerrigan before finally winning by a stroke when he shot the low round of the weekend, a 71.
  • Fresh Meadow CC: Took the head professional job at Fresh Meadow CC in Flushing, N.Y., and hired his mentor, Al Ciuci, to run the golf shop operations.

1924 Season

  • Canadian Open: Did not win during the season, although he came close at the Canadian Open at Mt. Bruno GC in Quebec. Lost by two strokes to Leo Diegel in Canada.
  • Gene Sarazen's Common Sense Golf Tips: Wrote his first book, Gene Sarazen's Common Sense Golf Tips.
  • Married: Married the former Mary Catherine Henry.
  • Illuminating Engineers' Society: Made what is believed to be the first hole-in-one on an illuminated course when he made an ace at the Briarcliff Lodge Golf Course in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., at an event sponsored by the Illuminating Engineers' Society.
  • French Open: Played overseas at the French Open and led after rounds. Recorded the highest score of his career when he shot an 89 at La Boulie GC in the third round.

1923 Season

  • PGA Championship: Successfully defended his PGA Championship title, with only his quarterfinals match against Jim Barnes among his first five matches particularly close (defeated Barnes, 1-up). Victory at Pelham CC was even sweeter because it was the only tournament his father ever saw him play. Made it to the finals by routing Bobby Cruickshank, 6 and 5, earning the right to face Walter Hagen. The scheduled 36-hole championship match went 38 holes before he eventually prevailed over Hagen, 1-up. Entering the 28th hole in the final, he held a 3-up lead over Hagen before Hagen rallied to force overtime. On the 38th hole, after nearly hitting his drive out of bounds, his approach landed 2 feet from the pin.
  • U.S. Open Championship: In defense of his U.S. Open title, he finished a distant T16.
  • Canadian Open: A second-round 81 at Lakeview GC in Toronto was his undoing as he eventually finished solo third, six strokes behind Clarence Hackney at the Canadian Open.
  • Wilson Sporting Goods: Began a business-endorsement contract with Wilson Sporting Goods that would last 75 years.
  • England exhibitions: Also played two exhibition 18-hole tournaments against Walter Hagen in England in the summer, with the duo splitting the two matches.
  • Western Gailes GC: In a foursomes exhibtion match in at Western Gailes GC in Scotland, he paired with Walter Hagen but lost a 4-and-3 decision to the team of George Duncan and Abe Mitchell.

1922 Season

  • PGA Championship: Won again at the PGA Championship at Oakmont CC in Pennsylvania. Defeated Emmett French, 4 and 3, in what turned out to be a 33-hole final, giving him two major championship wins before turning 21. He also became the first player to simultaneously hold the U.S. Open and PGA Championship trophies.
  • PGA Championship: In October, battled Hagen in a 72-hole, two-city match. Trailed after the first 36 holes at Oakmont CC outside Pittsburgh but came from behind to win, 3 and 2, at New York's Westchester CC. Later that night, underwent surgery for an appendicitis.
  • U.S. Open Championship: He picked up his second and third TOUR titles, with each of them a major championship. At the U.S. Open at Skokie CC in Glencoe, Ill., he shot one of the best final rounds up to that point in the tournament's history when he fired a 68 to come from four strokes off Bobby Jones' leading pace through 54 holes to win by a stroke over Jones and John L. Black. His 68 was one of only two sub-70 rounds all tournament (Walter Hagen had a 68 in the first round). Had four additional runner-up performances–at the Shreveport Open, the Deland Open Championship, the Mobile Country Club and the Asheville Open. In October, battled Hagen in a 72-hole, two-city match. Trailed after the first 36 holes at Oakmont CC outside Pittsburgh but came from behind to win, 3 and 2, at New York's Westchester CC. Later that night, underwent surgery for an appendicitis.
  • Asheville Open: Finished 2nd at the Asheville Open.
  • Mobile Country Club: Finished 2nd at the Mobile Country Club.
  • Southern (Spring) Open: Won the first of what would be 39 TOUR titles as a pro, the Southern Open, by eight strokes over Leo Diegel.
  • Deland Open Championship: Came in 2nd at the Deland Open Championship.
  • Shreveport Open: Had a runner-up performance at the Shreveport Open.

1921 Season

  • PGA Championship: Played in his first PGA Championship, at Inwood CC in Far Rockaway, N.Y. Won his first two matches before falling to Cyril Walker, 5 and 4, in the semifinals. In his second-round match, he took on recent The Open Championship winner Jock Hutchison. Took an eight-up lead after the first 18 holes of their scheduled 36-hole match. The match only made it to the 30th hole before he dispatched Hutchison, 8 and 6.
  • Western Open: In his first Western Open, at Oakwood Club in Cleveland, he T9.
  • U.S. Open Championship: Again qualified for the U.S. Open, finishing solo 17th at Columbia CC outside Washington, D.C.
  • Head pro at Titusville CC: Became the head pro at Titusville CC in Titusville, Pa., in April.

1920 Season

  • U.S. Open Championship: Played in his first U.S. Open at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. Shot rounds of 79-79-76-77 to T30.
  • Head pro at Highland CC: Was named the head pro as an 18-year-old at Highland CC in Titusville, Pa.