Walter Hagen
Walter Charles Hagen, (December 21, 1892 โ October 6, 1969) was the first superstar in golf due to his tremendous skill, and flamboyant, witty character. During his career, "The Haig" or "Sir Walter," as he was called by his fans, won 11 majors, made five Ryder Cup appearances, and was a dominant match play competitor.
Throughout his career, Hagen constantly helped raise the status of the PGA tour. He became a celebrity during his tenure on tour for his actions such as refusing to dress in clubhouses, ordering limousines, and demanding first class treatment at all times.
His best skill on the course was his amazing short game. Hagen was known for being erratic with his driver, but would constantly amaze spectators with his "short game," his ability to make great plays around the green. His play combined with his colorful personality helped create interest in professional golf at a time when many who cherished the amateur ideal looked down on the professional game.
Early Life
Hagen was born in Rochester, New York, as the only son of a local blacksmith. He was the second of five children, and began playing golf at the young age of five. He would practice the sport by playing in the family cow pasture: "I would herd the cows all in one spot where I had made a hole, so they could eat the grass and make a gloss putting surface."[1] As he continued to grow up, Hagen immersed himself in the sport of golf, as a caddy at a prominent country club. Andy Christy, the head pro at the club, gave Hagen lessons in his childhood, and was even challenged by Hagen during this tenure together, to a nine hole battle: "How about my beating you nine fast holes? His eyes covered me slowly for a few seconds, then he said, young man, when I want to play golf, I'll ask you."[1] He also excelled as a baseball player as a boy, practicing his fastball in his backyard, and eventually becoming an all-star in his school district.
He continued to succeed at both sports, but eventually had to make a decision about which sport to pursue. As a teenager, Hagen decided that his talent and outgoing personality were better suited for a individual sport such as golf, rather than a team game.
Golf Career
Accomplishments
Hagen's drive to become a PGA pro started during the 1912 U.S. Open, held at the club for which he caddied. After watching the field, he decided that his skill level was at least on par with the field, so he decided to start working harder on his game.
His first tournament was in 1913 at the Shawnee Open, where he finished out of the money. The next year he cancelled a tryout for the Philadelphia Phillies in order to play in the 1914 U.S. Open at Midlothian Country Club in Blue Island, Illinois. Later that week, Hagen was crowned the U.S. Open Champion, and his career was changed forever.
From (1913-1930), Hagen was one of the most dominant forces in golf as he won two U.S Opens, five Western opens, five PGA Championships, and four British opens. Hagen was a player that always went for the win, and never backed off his aggressive style to play it safe and finish in the middle of the pack. This approach did not always serve him well. During his first trip to the British Open Hagen refused to change his confident style despite the famous winds, and ended up with an 83, good for second to last after the first round.
Walter rebounded from that disastrous showing, finishing sixth the following year at the British Open, and winning it in 1922 at Sandwich.
He also was the captain of six American Ryder cup teams, and had a nine and one career record in the match play event. His only loss came to George Duncan in 1929 at Moortown Leeds. He won eleven majors, currently placing him third on the all time list.
Match-Play Master
Walter Hagen was an amazing player no matter what the situation, however if he was dominant in one thing, it was match-play. He won 34 out of 36 career matches, including 29 straight, at the PGA Championship, then a match play not medal play tournament as it is currently. He was such a distraction on the course with his fans, and tremendous scrambling ability, that he frequently frustrated his opponent into defeat. In his autobiography, The Walter Hagen Story, (1956) he writes: "Through the years I've been accused of dramatizing shots. Of making the difficult shots look easy and the easy shots look difficult. Only that last came naturally, believe me. Well, I always figured the gallery had a show coming to them. I deny I ever held up a game by any such shenanigans, but I don't deny playing for the gallery. I don't deny trying to make my game as interesting and as thrilling to the spectators as it was possible for me to make it."[2]
Mental Toughness
With all of his physical talents, his most important talent might have been his mastery at playing people, and the reason why Hagen was so dominant in match play competitions. John M. Ross writes in Golf Magazine: "One of Hagen's most successful tactics was to lull an opponent into swapping banter between shots, getting him so amused he was vulnerable to a crack in concentration when important shots were played. Hagen, on the other hand, could turn off the fun like a light switch and devote total attention to the task at hand."
Influence on the Game
In the sport of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nichlaus and Tiger Woods, Walter Hagen had a bigger influence on the game of golf than arguably anyone else in history. Early in the century, the main job of a professional golfer was to teach the wealthy how to play the game, something that quickly changed once golf was introduced to Hagen. At that time professional golfers weren't allowed in the front door of clubhouses, so Hagen would refuse to go in them at all. Instead, he elected to change in his car, and even ordered champagne to his limousine at the 1920 British Open. His colorful personality made the fans of the game fall in love with him, and he soon became a superstar all over the world. He visited nightclubs, partied until dawn, threw his money around, and even showed up intoxicated to tournaments. At his prime, Hagen was able to demand an appearance fee of $40 to attend exhibition tournaments. His stardom led to more sponsors of the PGA, which led to higher prize money for players. "All the players who have a chance to go after big money should say a silent prayer to Walter Hagen. It was Walter who made professional golf what it is."[3]
Hagen versus Jones
Throughout his career, Hagen was known for out-dueling the other big names in the sport such as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Sam Snead. In 1926, Hagen challenged young start Bobby Jones to a pair of 36-hole matches, an accomplishment that Hagen calls the biggest thrill ever in the sport of golf. Hagen's game was the perfect description of the kind of golfer who could give Bobby Jones fits. Hagen loved to talk to his opponents, and Bobby Jones, was known for getting frustrated very quickly. In fact, Hagen frustrated Bobby Jones so much, he beat him 12 and 11 in match play (12 holes up with 11 to play), a very large margin of victory. However later in 1950, Walter Hagen showed the kind of sportsmanship for which his peers loved him. When sports writers voted Bobby Jones, as the greatest golfer in the first half of the century, Hagen replied, "I would have voted for Jones, myself, He was marvelous."[1]
Life After Golf
After retiring from golf, Hagen lived in Michigan, at the Detroit Athletic Club and the Book Cadillac Hotel. In 1954, Walter decided to move to a large estate that overlooked East Long Lake. Despite retiring as a professional, Walter still played golf frequently and even played celebrity figures such as Kind Edward VIII and Edsel Ford. Hagen died on October 6, 1969, in Traverse City, Michigan at the age of 76. He now rests at the Holy Sepulchre Mausoleum, Southfield, Michigan, next to his grandson. At the time of his death, Hagen was well-respected. His pall bearers included some legendary sport figures such as Arnold Palmer and George Morris.
Legacy
Hagen was a dashing and assertive character who raised the status of professional golfers and improved their earnings as well. He was the most popular golfer of his time, and was never afraid to speak his opinion, or tell a good joke. Grand Rapids named a street after him in his memory. Scotland's Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, which actually had barred him from playing at the course 48 years earlier, made him the fourth American ever selected as an honorary member. He was also the first sportsmen to ever be named to the country's best-dressed list. Walter Hagen was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. His sportsmanship won over his fellow PGA members, his personality won over fans, and his presence on the golf course through personality and play, changed the sport of golf forever.
PGA Tour wins (44)
- 1916 (3) Metropolitan Open, Shawnee Open, Western Open
- 1918 (1) North and South Open
- 1919 (2) U.S. Open, Metropolitan Open
- 1920 (3) Florida West Coast Open, Metropolitan Open, Bellevue C.C. Open
- 1921 (2) Western Open, PGA Championship
- 1922 (4) Deland Open Championship, Florida West Coast Open, White Sulphur Springs Open, British Open
- 1923 (5) Texas Open, Florida West Coast Open, Asheville-Biltmore Open Championship, North and South Open, Kansas Mid-Continent Pro Championship (tie with Joe Kirkwood, Sr.)
- 1924 (5) North and South Open, Metropolitan PGA, British Open, PGA Championship, Princess Anne C.C. Open
- 1925 (1) PGA Championship
- 1926 (4) Florida West Coast Open, Eastern Open Championship, Western Open, PGA Championship
- 1927 (2) Western Open, PGA Championship
- 1928 (1) British Open
- 1929 (4) Long Beach Open, Miami International Four-Ball (with Leo Diegel), British Open, Great Lakes Open
- 1931 (2) Coral Gables Open, Canadian Open
- 1932 (2) Western Open, St. Louis Open
- 1933 (1) Tournament of the Gardens Open
- 1935 (1) Gasparilla Open-Tampa
- 1936 (1) Inverness Four-Ball (with Ky Laffoon)
Major championships are shown in bold.
Other wins
- 1915 Massachusetts Open, California State Open
- 1920 French Open
- 1924 Belgian Open
Major Championships
Wins (11)
| Year | Championship | 54 Holes | Winning Score | Margin | Runners Up |
| 1914 | U.S. Open | 2 shot lead | +2 (68-74-75-73=290) | 1 stroke |  Chick Evans
|
| 1919 | U.S. Open (2) | 5 shot deficit | +17 (78-73-75-75=301) | Playoff 1 | Mike Brady
|
| 1921 | PGA Championship | N/A | 3 & 2 | 3 strokes |  Jim Barnes
|
| 1922 | The Open Championship | 2 shot deficit | 76-73-79-72=300 | 1 stroke | Jim Barnes
|
| 1924 | The Open Championship (2) | Tied for lead | 77-73-74-77=301 | 1 stroke | Ernest Whitcombe
|
| 1924 | PGA Championship (2) | N/A | 2 up | 2 strokes | Jim Barnes
|
| 1925 | PGA Championship (3) | N/A | 6 & 5 | 6 strokes | William Mehlhorn
|
| 1926 | PGA Championship (4) | N/A | 5 & 3 | 5 strokes | Leo Diegel
|
| 1927 | PGA Championship (5) | N/A | 1 up | 1 stroke | Joe Turnesa
|
| 1928 | The Open Championship (3) | 75-73-72-72=292 | 2 strokes | Gene Sarazen
| |
| 1929 | The Open Championship (4) | 4 shot lead | 75-67-75-75=292 | 6 strokes | Johnny Farrell
|
Note: The PGA Championship was match play until 1958
1 Defeated Mike Brady in 18-hole playoff - Hagen (77), Brady (78)
Results timeline
| Tournament | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF |
| U.S. Open | T4 | 1 | T10 | 7 | NT | NT | 1 |
| The Open Championship | DNP | DNP | NT | NT | NT | NT | NT |
| PGA Championship | DNP | DNP | DNP | T3 | NT | NT | DNP |
| Tournament | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF |
| U.S. Open | 11 | T2 | 5 | T18 | T4 | T5 | 7 | 6 | T4 | T19 |
| The Open Championship | T52 | T7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | DNP | T3 | DNP | 1 | 1 |
| PGA Championship | DNP | 1 | DNP | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | T5 | T3 |
| Tournament | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | T13 | T15 | T11 | DNP | DNP | T33 |
| U.S. Open | T17 | T7 | 10 | T4 | T58 | 3 | T33 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| The Open Championship | DNP | DNP | DNP | T19 | DNP | DNP | DNP | T26 | DNP | DNP |
| PGA Championship | DNP | T17 | T17 | DNP | T17 | T33 | DNP | DNP | DNP | T33 |
| Tournament | 1940 | 1941 |
|---|---|---|
| The Masters | WD | WD |
| U.S. Open | DQ | DNP |
| The Open Championship | NT | NT |
| PGA Championship | T9 | DNP |
NYF = Tournament not yet founded
NT = No tournament
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
DQ = Disqualified
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10
Notes
- โ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Michigan History Retrieved April 4, 2008.
- โ The Walter Hagen Story
- โ Profile of Walter Hagen Retrieved April 4, 2008.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Clavin, T. 2005. Sir Walter: Walter Hagen and the Invention of Professional Golf. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0743204867
- Hagen, W. 2004 The Walter Hagen Story: By The Haig, Himself. Sports Media Group. ISBN 1587261316
- Golf Magazine, 34 (August 1991): 68-70; 35 (January 1993): 62-64; 39 (December 1997): 48-56.
- Lowe, S 2004. Sir Walter And Mr. Jones: Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, And The Rise Of American Golf. Sports Media Group. ISBN 1587261871
|
1895 Horace Rawlins ยท 1896 James Foulis ยท 1897 Joe Lloyd ยท 1898 Fred Herd ยท 1899 Willie Smith ยท 1900 Harry Vardon ยท 1901 Willie Anderson ยท 1902 Laurie Auchterlonie ยท 1903-04-05 Willie Anderson ยท 1906 Alex Smith ยท 1907 Alec Ross ยท 1908 Fred McLeod ยท 1909 George Sargent ยท 1910 Alex Smith ยท 1911-12 John McDermott ยท 1913 Francis Ouimet ยท 1914 Walter Hagen ยท 1915 Jerome Travers ยท 1916 Chick Evans ยท 1917-18 Cancelled due to World War I ยท 1919 Walter Hagen ยท 1920 Ted Ray ยท 1921 Jim Barnes ยท 1922 Gene Sarazen ยท 1923 Bobby Jones ยท 1924 Cyril Walker ยท 1925 Willie Macfarlane ยท 1926 Bobby Jones ยท 1927 Tommy Armour ยท 1928 Johnny Farrell ยท 1929-30 Bobby Jones ยท 1931 Billy Burke ยท 1932 Gene Sarazen ยท 1933 Johnny Goodman ยท 1934 Olin Dutra ยท 1935 Sam Parks, Jr. ยท 1936 Tony Manero ยท 1937-38 Ralph Guldahl ยท 1939 Byron Nelson ยท 1940 Lawson Little ยท 1941 Craig Wood ยท 1942-45 Cancelled due to World War II ยท 1946 Lloyd Mangrum ยท 1947 Lew Worsham ยท 1948 Ben Hogan ยท 1949 Cary Middlecoff ยท 1950-51 Ben Hogan ยท 1952 Julius Boros ยท 1953 Ben Hogan ยท 1954 Ed Furgol ยท 1955 Jack Fleck ยท 1956 Cary Middlecoff ยท 1957 Dick Mayer ยท 1958 Tommy Bolt ยท 1959 Billy Casper ยท 1960 Arnold Palmer ยท 1961 Gene Littler ยท 1962 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1963 Julius Boros ยท 1964 Ken Venturi ยท 1965 Gary Player ยท 1966 Billy Casper ยท 1967 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1968 Lee Trevino ยท 1969 Orville Moody ยท 1970 Tony Jacklin ยท 1971 Lee Trevino ยท 1972 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1973 Johnny Miller ยท 1974 Hale Irwin ยท 1975 Lou Graham ยท 1976 Jerry Pate ยท 1977 Hubert Green ยท 1978 Andy North ยท 1979 Hale Irwin ยท 1980 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1981 David Graham ยท 1982 Tom Watson ยท 1983 Larry Nelson ยท 1984 Fuzzy Zoeller ยท 1985 Andy North ยท 1986 Raymond Floyd ยท 1987 Scott Simpson ยท 1988-89 Curtis Strange ยท 1990 Hale Irwin ยท 1991 Payne Stewart ยท 1992 Tom Kite ยท 1993 Lee Janzen ยท 1994 Ernie Els ยท 1995 Corey Pavin ยท 1996 Steve Jones ยท 1997 Ernie Els ยท 1998 Lee Janzen ยท 1999 Payne Stewart ยท 2000 Tiger Woods ยท 2001 Retief Goosen ยท 2002 Tiger Woods ยท 2003 Jim Furyk ยท 2004 Retief Goosen ยท 2005 Michael Campbell ยท 2006 Geoff Ogilvy ยท 2007 รngel Cabrera ยท 2008 Tiger Woods ยท 2009 Lucas Glover ยท 2010 Graeme McDowell ยท 2011 Rory McIlroy ยท 2012 Webb Simpson ยท 2013 Justin Rose ยท 2014 Martin Kaymer ยท 2015 Jordan Spieth |
|
1860 Willie Park, Snr. ยท 1861-62 Tom Morris, Sr. ยท 1863 Willie Park, Snr. ยท 1864 Tom Morris, Sr. ยท 1865 Andrew Strath ยท 1866 Willie Park, Snr. ยท 1867 Tom Morris, Sr. ยท 1868-69-70 Tom Morris, Jr. ยท 1871 No championship ยท 1872 Tom Morris, Jr. ยท 1873 Tom Kidd ยท 1874 Mungo Park ยท 1875 Willie Park, Snr. ยท 1876 Bob Martin ยท 1877-78-79 Jamie Anderson ยท 1880-81-82 Bob Ferguson ยท 1883 Willie Fernie ยท 1884 Jack Simpson ยท 1885 Bob Martin ยท 1886 David Brown ยท 1887 Willie Park, Jnr. ยท 1888 Jack Burns ยท 1889 Willie Park, Jnr. ยท 1890 John Ball ยท 1891 Hugh Kirkaldy ยท 1892 Harold Hilton ยท 1893 William Auchterlonie ยท 1894-95 John Henry Taylor ยท 1896 Harry Vardon ยท 1897 Harold Hilton ยท 1898-99 Harry Vardon ยท 1900 John Henry Taylor ยท 1901 James Braid ยท 1902 Sandy Herd ยท 1903 Harry Vardon ยท 1904 Jack White ยท 1905-06 James Braid ยท 1907 Arnaud Massy ยท 1908 James Braid ยท 1909 John Henry Taylor ยท 1910 James Braid ยท 1911 Harry Vardon ยท 1912 Edward Ray ยท 1913 John Henry Taylor ยท 1914 Harry Vardon ยท 1915-19 No Championships due to World War I ยท 1920 George Duncan ยท 1921 Jock Hutchison ยท 1922 Walter Hagen ยท 1923 Arthur Havers ยท 1924 Walter Hagen ยท 1925 Jim Barnes ยท 1926-27 Bobby Jones ยท 1928-29 Walter Hagen ยท 1930 Bobby Jonesยท 1931 Tommy Armour ยท 1932 Gene Sarazen ยท 1933 Denny Shute ยท 1934 Henry Cotton ยท 1935 Alf Perry ยท 1936 Alf Padgham ยท 1937 Henry Cotton ยท 1939 Richard Burton (golfer) ยท 1940-45 No Championships due to World War II ยท 1946 Sam Snead ยท 1947 Fred Daly ยท 1948 Henry Cotton ยท 1949-50 Bobby Locke ยท 1951 Max Faulkner ยท 1952 Bobby Locke ยท 1953 Ben Hogan ยท 1954-55-56 Peter Thomson ยท 1957 Bobby Locke ยท 1958 Peter Thomson ยท 1959 Gary Player ยท 1960 Kel Nagle ยท 1961-62 Arnold Palmer ยท 1963 Bob Charles ยท 1964 Tony Lema ยท 1965 Peter Thomson ยท 1966 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1967 Roberto DeVicenzo ยท 1968 Gary Player ยท 1969 Tony Jacklin ยท 1970 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1971-72 Lee Trevino ยท 1973 Tom Weiskopf ยท 1974 Gary Player ยท 1975 Tom Watson ยท 1976 Johnny Miller ยท 1977 Tom Watson ยท 1978 Jack Nicklaus ยท 1979 Severiano Ballesteros ยท 1980 Tom Watson ยท 1981 Bill Rogers ยท 1982-83 Tom Watson ยท 1984 Severiano Ballesteros ยท 1985 Sandy Lyle ยท 1986 Greg Norman ยท 1987 Nick Faldo ยท 1988 Severiano Ballesteros ยท 1989 Mark Calcavecchia ยท 1990 Nick Faldo ยท 1991 Ian Baker-Finch ยท 1992 Nick Faldo ยท 1993 Greg Norman ยท 1994 Nick Price ยท 1995 John Daly ยท 1996 Tom Lehman ยท 1997 Justin Leonard ยท 1998 Mark O'Meara ยท 1999 Paul Lawrie ยท 2000 Tiger Woods ยท 2001 David Duval ยท 2002 Ernie Els ยท 2003 Ben Curtis ยท 2004 Todd Hamilton ยท 2005-06 Tiger Woods ยท 2007-08 Pรกdraig Harrington ยท 2009 Stewart Cink ยท 2010 Louis Oosthuizen ยท 2011 Darren Clarke ยท 2012 Ernie Els ยท 2013 Phil Mickelson ยท 2014 Rory McIlroy ยท 2015 Zach Johnson |
|
Matchplay era |
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
