Charles Coody

Billy Charles Coody ( ; born July 13, 1937) is an American professional golfer, best known for winning the 1971 Masters Tournament.

Early life and amateur career Coody was born in Stamford, Texas and raised in Abilene, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian University before transferring to and graduating in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in Business from Texas Christian University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Professional career In 1963, Coody made his pro debut. However, he was considered somewhat of an underachiever until his Masters victory. In the words of his contemporary Frank Beard, "Charlie's one of our better shotmakers but he tries hard not to win." Coody held the lead at the 1969 Masters Tournament with three holes left but finished bogey-bogey-bogey to tie for 5th place.

At the 1971 Masters Tournament, Coody opened with a three-shot lead. He remained in the lead entering the final round but was expected to lose to co-leader Jack Nicklaus who had won the 1971 PGA Championship two months earlier. Coody played full-time on the PGA Tour until his late 40s.

When he turned 50, Coody played on the Senior PGA Tour with a decent amount of success, winning five times. Like most Masters winners, Coody played the Masters Tournament through his old age. He retired from active competition at the 2006 event having played 38 of the last 39 Masters.

Personal life Coody has a son Kyle, who was also a professional golfer in the 1980s and 1990s. He also has two daughters, Caryn Coody Hill and Kristyn Coody Aguero.

In 2022, his grandsons Pierceson and Parker turned professional and play on the PGA Tour.

Awards and honors In 2000, Coody was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame . A college golf tournament, the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate, is named after him. Coody lends his name to a charity event, the Charles Coody Classic, hosted by Texas Christian University.

Professional wins (15) PGA Tour wins (3) Legend Major championships (1) Other PGA Tour (2)

European Tour wins (2)

Other wins (1) 1971 World Series of Golf

Senior PGA Tour wins (5)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–0)

Other senior wins (4) 1990 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (with Dale Douglass) 1994 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (with Dale Douglass) 1998 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (Legends Division with Dale Douglass) 1998 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (Legendary Division with Dale Douglass)

Major championships Wins (1) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunners-up 1971 Masters Tournament Tied for lead −9 (66-73-70-70=279) 2 strokes Johnny Miller, Jack Nicklaus

Results timeline

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 14 (1966 U.S. Open – 1971 Open Championship) Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1968 PGA – 1969 Masters)

U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 1971 (winners)