Jump to content

Lew Worsham: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m use wikitable
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American professional golfer}}
{{use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox golfer
{{Infobox golfer
| name = Lew Worsham
| name = Lew Worsham
| image =
| image = Lew Worsham 1947.jpg
| imagesize = <!-- e.g. 250px (default is 200px) -->
| imagesize = 255px
| caption =
| caption = Worsham after winning the 1947 U.S. Open
| fullname = Lewis Elmer Worsham, Jr.
| fullname = Lewis Elmer Worsham Jr.
| nickname =
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1917|10|5}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1917|10|5}}
| birth_place = [[Pittsylvania County, Virginia]]
| birth_place = [[Pittsylvania County, Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1990|10|19|1917|10|5}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1990|10|19|1917|10|5}}
| death_place = [[Poquoson, Virginia]]
| death_place = [[Poquoson, Virginia]], U.S.
| height = <!--{{height|ft=|in=}}-->
| height = <!--{{height|ft=|in=}}-->
| weight = <!--{{convert| |lb|kg st|abbr=on}}-->
| weight = <!--{{convert| |lb|kg st|abbr=on}}-->
Line 20: Line 22:
| retired = <!-- Year retired -->
| retired = <!-- Year retired -->
| extour = [[PGA Tour]]
| extour = [[PGA Tour]]
| prowins = 8
| prowins = 13
| pgawins = 6
| pgawins = 6
| otherwins = <!-- Number of Other wins -->
| otherwins = 7<!-- Number of Other wins -->
| majorwins = 1
| majorwins = 1
| masters = 6th: 1949
| masters = 6th: [[1949 Masters Tournament|1949]]
| usopen = '''Won''': [[1947 U.S. Open (golf)|1947]]
| usopen = '''Won''': [[1947 U.S. Open (golf)|1947]]
| open = DNP
| open = DNP
| pga = T5: 1947, 1955
| pga = T5: [[1947 PGA Championship|1947]], [[1955 PGA Championship|1955]]
| wghofid = <!-- World Golf Hall of Fame member ID -->
| wghofid = <!-- World Golf Hall of Fame member ID -->
| wghofyear = <!-- World Golf Hall of Fame year inducted -->
| wghofyear = <!-- World Golf Hall of Fame year inducted -->
| award1 = [[PGA Tour#Money winners and most wins leaders|PGA Tour<br>leading money winner]]
| award1 = [[PGA Tour#Money winners and most wins leaders|PGA Tour<br>leading money winner]]
| year1 = 1953
| year1 = 1953
| award2 =
| award2 = PGA of America<br>Hall of Fame
| year2 =
| year2 =
| awardssection = <!-- location of awards page or section -->
| awardssection = <!-- location of awards page or section -->
}}
}}
{{Infobox military person
'''Lewis Elmer Worsham, Jr.''' (October 5, 1917 &ndash; October 19, 1990) was an [[United States|American]] professional [[golf]]er.
|allegiance = {{USA}}
|branch = {{flag|United States Navy}}
Worsham was born in [[Pittsylvania County, Virginia]]. In 1947, he won the [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] by defeating [[Sam Snead]] in an 18-hole playoff at the [[St. Louis Country Club]] in [[Clayton, Missouri]] after the two men had finished tied at 282 in regulation.<ref name=NYTobit/> This was the first U.S. Open to be televised locally and the winner's prize was $2,000. In July 1947, he appeared on the cover of ''Golfing magazine''. In 1953, he topped the [[PGA Tour]] money list with winnings of [[US$]]34,002. That same year he won the first golf tournament to be broadcast nationally in the United States and golf's first $100,000 tournament, the Tam O'Shanter [[World Championship of Golf]], in spectacular fashion. He holed out a wedge from 104 yards for an eagle-2 to win over [[Chandler Harper]] by one shot.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tam O'Shanter Golf Course |url=http://www.niles-parks.org/content/templates/npd_cnt_fac_tg.asp?articleid=61&zoneid=31 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref><ref name=NYTobit>{{cite news |title=Lew Worsham; Golfer, 73|date=October 22, 1990|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1D8103EF931A15753C1A966958260 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref> The event was televised by [[ABC Television|ABC]].
|rank =
|battles = [[World War II]]
|unit = [[United States Naval Training Center Bainbridge]], [[Maryland]]
|serviceyears = 1943–1945
|awards =
}}
'''Lewis Elmer Worsham, Jr.''' (October 5, 1917 – October 19, 1990) was an American [[professional golfer]], the [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] champion {{nowrap|in [[1947 U.S. Open (golf)|1947]].<ref name=catpro>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/06/11/congressional-pros-and-the-open/520a37ab-75cc-45cf-af82-b306bf7c15a4/ |newspaper=Washington Post |last=Shapiro |first=Leonard |title=Congressional and the pros |date=June 11, 1997 |access-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name=mapaleww>{{cite web|url=https://mapga.com/team-members/worsham-lew-1986/ |publisher=PGA: Middle Atlantic section |title=Lew Worsham |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128050054/https://mapga.com/team-members/worsham-lew-1986/ |archive-date=2021-01-28 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

==Life and career==
Worsham was born on October 5, 1917, in [[Pittsylvania County, Virginia]].{{citation needed |date=August 2022}} He grew up in [[Long Island, Virginia]]. Worsham attended [[Hampton High School (Virginia)|Hampton High School]] and was a member of the golf team from 1933 to 1935. He served in the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]].<ref name="death">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107495336/lewis-e-worsham-jr-20-oct-1990/ |title=Lewis E. Worsham Jr. |date=1920-10-20 |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |page=22 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=2022-08-13}}{{Open access}}</ref>

Worsham won the U.S. Open in 1947 by defeating [[Sam Snead]] by a stroke in an 18-hole playoff at the [[St. Louis Country Club]] in [[Clayton, Missouri]]<!-- after the two men had finished tied at 282 in regulation-->.<ref name=NYTobit/><ref name=prcouap>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7PYKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6100%2C2606619 |work=Prescott Evening Courier |location=(Arizona) |agency=Associated Press |title=Lew Worsham downs Snead by stroke for Open crown |date=June 16, 1947 |page=1, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=piprup47>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yFkbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F00EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6262%2C142985 |work=Pittsburgh Press |agency=United Press |title=Worsham's nerve wins golf title |date=June 16, 1947 |page=16}}</ref><ref name=naoppodet>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X8YwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YmoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2196%2C4107105 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |title=National Open playoff detail |date=June 16, 1947 |page=16}}</ref> This was the first U.S. Open to be televised locally and the winner's share was $2,000. In July 1947, Worsham appeared on the cover of ''Golfing'' magazine. In 1953, he led the [[PGA Tour]] money list with [[United States dollar|$]]34,002 in earnings. That same year he won the first golf tournament to be broadcast nationally in the United States and golf's first $100,000 tournament, the Tam O'Shanter [[World Championship of Golf]], in spectacular fashion. He holed out a wedge from 104 yards for an eagle-2 to win over [[Chandler Harper]] by {{nowrap|one shot.<ref name=NYTobit>{{cite news |title=Lew Worsham; Golfer, 73|date=October 22, 1990|newspaper=New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1D8103EF931A15753C1A966958260 |access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tam O'Shanter Golf Course |url=http://www.niles-parks.org/content/templates/npd_cnt_fac_tg.asp?articleid=61&zoneid=31 |access-date=February 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727123650/http://www.niles-parks.org/content/templates/npd_cnt_fac_tg.asp?articleid=61&zoneid=31 |archive-date=July 27, 2011 }}</ref>}}

Worsham made his only [[Ryder Cup]] appearance in [[1947 Ryder Cup|1947]] and won both of his matches. Like most tour players of his generation, he earned his living primarily as a club professional, and was the longtime pro at [[Oakmont Country Club]], northeast of [[Pittsburgh]], {{nowrap|[[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Head Pro |last=Diaz |first=Jaime |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1996/08/19/216217/head-pro-oakmonts-bob-ford-is-that-rarest-of-birds-a-club-professional-who-can-play-some-too<!--http://sportsillustrated.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008590/index.htm-->|date=August 19, 1996 |page=G12}}</ref>}}

Worsham was honored as the "Sportsperson of the Year" for 1953 by Pittsburgh's [[Dapper Dan Charities]]. He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pga.com/news/pga/gary-player-renee-powell-mickey-wright-lew-worsham-lead-inductees-pga-of-america-hall-of |title=Gary Player, Renee Powell, Mickey Wright, Lew Worsham lead inductees to PGA of America Hall of Fame |publisher=PGA of America |date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>


==Personal life==
Worsham made his only [[Ryder Cup]] appearance in 1947, winning both of his matches. Like most golfers of his generation, he earned his living primarily as a club professional. His employer was the [[Oakmont Country Club]] outside [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Head Pro |author=Diaz, Jaime |publisher=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1008590/index.htm |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref> He died in [[Poquoson, Virginia]] at age 73.<ref name=NYTobit/>
Worsham married Virginia. He had one daughter and two sons: Lynda, Richard L and Thomas E.<ref name="death"/>


[[File:Grave of Lewis E. Worsham (1917-1990).jpg|thumb|right|Grave of Worsham and his wife in [[Columbia Gardens Cemetery]]]]
Worsham was honored as the "Sportsperson of the Year" for 1953 by [[Pittsburgh]]'s [[Dapper Dan Charities]].
Worsham died on October 19, 1990, at age, 73 in [[Poquoson, Virginia]].<ref name=NYTobit/> He is buried at [[Columbia Gardens Cemetery]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]].<ref name="death"/>


==Professional wins==
==Professional wins (13)==
===PGA Tour wins===
===PGA Tour wins (6)===
*1946 [[Atlanta Invitational]]
*1946 [[Atlanta Invitational]]
*1947 '''[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]''', [[Denver Open]]
*1947 '''[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]''', [[Denver Open]]
Line 53: Line 73:
[[Men's major golf championships|Major championship]] is shown in '''bold'''.
[[Men's major golf championships|Major championship]] is shown in '''bold'''.


===Other wins===
===Other wins (7)===
*1942 [[Middle Atlantic PGA Championship]]
*1945 [[Maryland Open]]
*1945 [[Maryland Open]]
*1946 [[Middle Atlantic PGA Championship]]
*1947 [[Middle Atlantic PGA Championship]]
*1948 [[Cavalier Specialists Invitational]]
*1952 [[Miami Beach International Four-Ball]] (with [[Ted Kroll]])
*1952 [[Miami Beach International Four-Ball]] (with [[Ted Kroll]])
*1961 [[Tri-State PGA Championship]]


==Major championships==
==Major championships==
[[File:Lew Worsham with wife 1953.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Worsham with wife after winning the 1953 [[Greater Jacksonville Open]]]]

===Wins (1)===
===Wins (1)===
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
!Year!!Championship!!54 holes!!Winning score!!Margin!!Runner-up
!Year!!Championship!!54 holes!!Winning score!!Margin!!Runner-up
|- bgcolor="#FBCEB1"
|- style="background:#FBCEB1;"
| [[1947 U.S. Open (golf)|1947]] || [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] || 1 shot lead || –2 (70-70-71-71=282) || Playoff <sup>1</sup> || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
| [[1947 U.S. Open (golf)|1947]] || [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] || 1 shot lead || −2 (70-70-71-71=282) || Playoff <sup>1</sup> || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Snead]]
|}
|}
<sup>1</sup> Defeated Snead in an 18-hole playoff - Worsham 69 (–2), Snead 70 (–1).<ref>[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7PYKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6100,2606619&dq=snead+snead+lew+worsham&hl=en Lew Worsham Downs Snead by stroke for Open Crown]</ref>
<sup>1</sup> Defeated Snead in an 18-hole playoff - Worsham 69 (−2), Snead 70 (−1).<ref name=prcouap/>


===Results timeline===
===Results timeline===
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!align="left"|Tournament
!1938
!1938
!1939
!1939
|-
|-
|[[Masters Tournament]]
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|-
|-
|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|WD
|align="center"|WD
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|-
|-
|[[PGA Championship]]
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|}
|}


{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!align="left"|Tournament
!1940
!1940
!1941
!1941
Line 100: Line 125:
!1949
!1949
|-
|-
|[[Masters Tournament]]
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|T33
|align="center"|T34
|align="center"|T30
|T30
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|6
|style="background:yellow;"|6
|-
|-
|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|align="center"|T22
|T22
|align="center" style="background:lime;"|'''1'''
|style="background:lime;"|'''1'''
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|6
|style="background:yellow;"|6
|align="center"|T27
|T27
|-
|-
|[[PGA Championship]]
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|align="center"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|NT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|align="center"|R32
|R32
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|QF
|style="background:yellow;"|QF
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|R16
|style="background:yellow;"|R16
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|R16
|style="background:yellow;"|R16
|}
|}


{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!align="left"|Tournament
!1950
!1950
!1951
!1951
Line 151: Line 175:
!1959
!1959
|-
|-
|[[Masters Tournament]]
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|align="center"|T42
|T42
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T3
|style="background:yellow;"|T3
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T7
|style="background:yellow;"|T7
|44
|align="center"|T44
|align="center"|T12
|T12
|align="center"|T49
|T49
|align="center"|T34
|T34
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|-
|-
|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|T14
|T14
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|T7
|style="background:yellow;"|T7
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|T23
|T23
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|T38
|T38
|align="center"|T45
|T45
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|-
|-
|[[PGA Championship]]
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|align="center"|R32
|R32
|align="center"|R32
|R32
|align="center"|R32
|R32
|align="center"|R64
|R64
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|QF
|style="background:yellow;"|QF
|align="center" style="background:yellow;"|R16
|style="background:yellow;"|R16
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|}
|}


{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: #aaa solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
!align="left"|Tournament
!1960
!1960
!1961
!1961
Line 196: Line 219:
!1963
!1963
|-
|-
|[[Masters Tournament]]
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|44
|align="center"|44
|align="center"|T22
|T22
|align="center"|T29
|T29
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|-
|-
|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|-
|-
|[[PGA Championship]]
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|align="center"|DNP
|align="center"|T37
|T37
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|align="center"|CUT
|CUT
|}
|}


''Note: Worsham never played in [[The Open Championship]].''<br>
''Note: Worsham never played in [[The Open Championship]].''<br>
{{legend|lime|Win}}
{{legend|yellow|Top 10}}
{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}
NT = No tournament<br>
NT = No tournament<br>
DNP = Did not play<br>
WD = Withdrew<br>
CUT = missed the half-way cut<br>
CUT = missed the half-way cut<br>
WD = Withdrew<br>
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play<br>
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play<br>
"T" = tied
"T" indicates a tie for a place<br>
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10


===Summary===
===Summary===
Line 240: Line 264:
*Most consecutive cuts made – 12 (1946 U.S. Open – 1950 Masters)
*Most consecutive cuts made – 12 (1946 U.S. Open – 1950 Masters)
*Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1948 U.S. Open – 1949 Masters)
*Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1948 U.S. Open – 1949 Masters)

==See also==
[[List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins]]


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|Lew Worsham}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{U.S. Open champions}}
{{U.S. Open champions}}
{{1947 United States Ryder Cup team}}
{{1947 United States Ryder Cup team}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Authority control|VIAF=120525179}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Worsham, Lew
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Worsham, Lewis Elmer, Jr.
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Professional golfer
| DATE OF BIRTH = October 5, 1917
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Pittsylvania County, Virginia
| DATE OF DEATH = October 19, 1990
| PLACE OF DEATH = Poquoson, Virginia
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Worsham, Lew}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Worsham, Lew}}
[[Category:American male golfers]]
[[Category:American male golfers]]
[[Category:PGA Tour golfers]]
[[Category:PGA Tour golfers]]
[[Category:Winners of men's major golf championships]]
[[Category:Ryder Cup competitors for the United States]]
[[Category:Ryder Cup competitors for the United States]]
[[Category:Winners of men's major golf championships]]
[[Category:Golfers from Virginia]]
[[Category:Golfers from Virginia]]
[[Category:Golfers from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:People from Pittsylvania County, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Pittsylvania County, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1990 deaths]]
[[Category:1990 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 26 November 2024

Lew Worsham
Worsham after winning the 1947 U.S. Open
Personal information
Full nameLewis Elmer Worsham Jr.
Born(1917-10-05)October 5, 1917
Pittsylvania County, Virginia, U.S.
DiedOctober 19, 1990(1990-10-19) (aged 73)
Poquoson, Virginia, U.S.
Sporting nationality United States
Career
Turned professional1935
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Professional wins13
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour6
Other7
Best results in major championships
(wins: 1)
Masters Tournament6th: 1949
PGA ChampionshipT5: 1947, 1955
U.S. OpenWon: 1947
The Open ChampionshipDNP
Achievements and awards
PGA Tour
leading money winner		1953
Lew Worsham
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1943–1945
UnitUnited States Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland
Battles / warsWorld War II

Lewis Elmer Worsham, Jr. (October 5, 1917 – October 19, 1990) was an American professional golfer, the U.S. Open champion in 1947.[1][2]

Life and career

[edit]

Worsham was born on October 5, 1917, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.[citation needed] He grew up in Long Island, Virginia. Worsham attended Hampton High School and was a member of the golf team from 1933 to 1935. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.[3]

Worsham won the U.S. Open in 1947 by defeating Sam Snead by a stroke in an 18-hole playoff at the St. Louis Country Club in Clayton, Missouri.[4][5][6][7] This was the first U.S. Open to be televised locally and the winner's share was $2,000. In July 1947, Worsham appeared on the cover of Golfing magazine. In 1953, he led the PGA Tour money list with $34,002 in earnings. That same year he won the first golf tournament to be broadcast nationally in the United States and golf's first $100,000 tournament, the Tam O'Shanter World Championship of Golf, in spectacular fashion. He holed out a wedge from 104 yards for an eagle-2 to win over Chandler Harper by one shot.[4][8]

Worsham made his only Ryder Cup appearance in 1947 and won both of his matches. Like most tour players of his generation, he earned his living primarily as a club professional, and was the longtime pro at Oakmont Country Club, northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[9]

Worsham was honored as the "Sportsperson of the Year" for 1953 by Pittsburgh's Dapper Dan Charities. He was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2017.[10]

Personal life

[edit]

Worsham married Virginia. He had one daughter and two sons: Lynda, Richard L and Thomas E.[3]

Grave of Worsham and his wife in Columbia Gardens Cemetery

Worsham died on October 19, 1990, at age, 73 in Poquoson, Virginia.[4] He is buried at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.[3]

Professional wins (13)

[edit]

PGA Tour wins (6)

[edit]

Major championship is shown in bold.

Other wins (7)

[edit]

Major championships

[edit]
Worsham with wife after winning the 1953 Greater Jacksonville Open

Wins (1)

[edit]
Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner-up
1947 U.S. Open 1 shot lead −2 (70-70-71-71=282) Playoff 1 United States Sam Snead

1 Defeated Snead in an 18-hole playoff - Worsham 69 (−2), Snead 70 (−1).[5]

Results timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1938 1939
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open WD
PGA Championship
Tournament 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
Masters Tournament NT NT NT T33 T30 6
U.S. Open CUT CUT NT NT NT NT T22 1 6 T27
PGA Championship NT R32 QF R16 R16
Tournament 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Masters Tournament T42 T3 T7 44 T12 T49 T34 CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT T14 T7 CUT T23 CUT CUT T38 T45
PGA Championship R32 R32 R32 R64 QF R16
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963
Masters Tournament 44 T22 T29
U.S. Open CUT
PGA Championship T37 CUT CUT

Note: Worsham never played in The Open Championship.

  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

NT = No tournament
CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = Withdrew
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" = tied

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 1 1 3 5 16 13
U.S. Open 1 0 0 1 3 6 17 9
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PGA Championship 0 0 0 2 5 9 11 11
Totals 1 0 1 4 11 20 44 33
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 12 (1946 U.S. Open – 1950 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1948 U.S. Open – 1949 Masters)

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lew Worsham.
  1. ^ Shapiro, Leonard (June 11, 1997). "Congressional and the pros". Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  2. ^ "Lew Worsham". PGA: Middle Atlantic section. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Lewis E. Worsham Jr". Daily Press. October 20, 1920. p. 22. Retrieved August 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ a b c "Lew Worsham; Golfer, 73". New York Times. October 22, 1990. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Lew Worsham downs Snead by stroke for Open crown". Prescott Evening Courier. (Arizona). Associated Press. June 16, 1947. p. 1, part 2.
  6. ^ "Worsham's nerve wins golf title". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. June 16, 1947. p. 16.
  7. ^ "National Open playoff detail". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 16, 1947. p. 16.
  8. ^ "Tam O'Shanter Golf Course". Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  9. ^ Diaz, Jaime (August 19, 1996). "Head Pro". Sports Illustrated. p. G12.
  10. ^ "Gary Player, Renee Powell, Mickey Wright, Lew Worsham lead inductees to PGA of America Hall of Fame". PGA of America. September 7, 2017.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Lew_Worsham&oldid=1259703136"