Gene Sarazen Biography

Gene Sarazen

one of the most influential professional golfers of the 20th century who helped establish the Masters as one of the world's greatest golf tournaments; holed a 235-yard shot with his 4-wood from the fairway on the par-5, 15th hole at Augusta National that went in for a two and led him to a victory in the 1935 Masters; first golfer to win all four majors in a career; won seven majors in all, including both the U.S. and British Opens in 1932; won 38 PGA titles; led the PGA Tour in earnings in 1930 and 1932; named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 1932; charter member of the World Golf Hall of Fame (1974); won PGA Tour's first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996; from 1981-99 joined Byron Nelson and Sam Snead in hitting a ceremonial tee shot before each Masters tournament; credited with the invention of the sand wedge when he debuted the club at the British Open in 1932. He died from complications of pneumonia.