Sam Snead, whose unmatched 135 tournament victories worldwide and trademark straw hat made him a golfing legend, died on May 23rd aged 89. "Slammin' Sam", who wore his straw hat to hide his baldness, ended his career about 20 years ago with a record 81 victories on the US PGA Tour and 135 internationally, including three US Masters, three US PGA Championships and one British Open.
After turning professional in 1934, Sam Snead and his classical swing won titles in six different decades, capturing along the way numerous records as he competed until he was almost 70.
But every time he played at the US Open, he came up short. Four times he was runner-up, once needing a five at the last hole for the title but collapsing with an eight.
His triumph in the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open at the age of 53 made him the oldest winner of a tour event. Nine years later, aged 62, he almost eclipsed that feat when he was runner-up at the Los Angeles Open, two strokes behind the winner, and at the US PGA Championship, where he tied for third.
In the 1979 Quad Cities Open, Sam Snead matched his age when he shot a 67. He then bettered it the next day with a 66.
He was blessed with a natural swing and never had to work at his game. He was also exceptionally limber - he always denied he was double-jointed - and in his 60s won numerous wagers by betting that he could kick a seven-foot high ceiling.
"He has more natural rhythm than any man I've ever seen," a president of the US Golf Association, once said of him.
Samuel Jackson Snead was born on May 27th, 1912, one of six children of a part-time farmer and hotel worker in Hot Springs.
A natural sportsman, he began his golfing involvement as a caddy, but was soon famous for his long driving. After a spell as a club professional, he won the West Virginia Closed Pro tournament in 1936, and decided to try his luck on the tour.
He was an immediate sensation, winning five events in 1937, finishing runner-up in the US Open and finishing third on the list of money winners. The next year he did even better, winning eight times to finish top money-earner.
In 1939, he won five events and was second in the Masters, but laid the foundations for his US Open jinx with his infamous eight at the last hole.
He explained afterwards that he thought he needed a birdie four to win, when a par five was all he required. In any event, he pressed too hard, three-putted and missed a playoff which Byron Nelson won against two other players.
Sam Snead finally earned his first major title in 1942, the US PGA, then went off to serve in the navy during the second World War.
After the war he resumed winning tournaments, but had to share the limelight with Nelson and Ben Hogan in a great three-way rivalry. More major titles eluded him until 1949 when he won two, the PGA and the Masters.
He never went close to a US Open title after 1953, but instead astounded the golfing world with his ability to outplay professionals young enough to be his grandsons. When he was 47 he shot a 59, he was also a tournament winner at 53 and he was a runner-up several times in his 60s.
His putting failed to hold up as well as his swing, so he adopted a croquet-style late in life. When that was ruled illegal, he switched to a "side-saddle" stance, one hand gripping the putter just above the club face.
Sam Snead only retired from tournament golf when he developed a problem with his eyes.
He is survived by his two sons, Samuel J. jnr. and Terry.
Sam Snead: born 1912; died, May 2002