Dave Stockton

David Knapp Stockton (born November 2, 1941) is an American retired professional golfer who has won tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

Early life and amateur career In 1941, Stockton was born in San Bernardino, California. He attended the University of Southern California.

Professional career In 1964, Stockton turned professional. His first PGA Tour win came at the 1967 Colonial National Invitation. Stockton was selected by former Colonial champions as one of two Champion's Choice invitations; he is the only Champion's Choice invitee to win the Colonial in the year of the invitation.

Stockton's best year was 1974, when he won three times, but his two majors, both of which were PGA Championships, came in 1970 and 1976. In 1970 he played the final round with Arnold Palmer, shooting a seventy-three which included an eagle and a double-bogey on the seventh and the eighth holes, respectively, and making a bogey on the thirteenth despite putting a ball in the water. In the end, this effort was good enough for a two stroke victory over Palmer and Bob Murphy. Due to rain at the 1976 PGA Championship, which was held at the Congressional Country Club, the final round had to be delayed until Monday. Stockton sank a fifteen-foot par putt at the seventy-second hole to avoid a three-man playoff with Raymond Floyd and Don January.

Stockton played for the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup in 1971 and 1977. He was the Americans' victorious non-playing captain in the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island.

Senior career In 1991, Stockton joined the Senior PGA Tour and enjoyed continued success, topping the Senior Tour money list in 1993 and 1994. His fourteen senior titles include three senior majors, the 1992 and 1994 Senior Players Championships and the 1996 U.S. Senior Open. He remained competitive in his sixties, finishing in the top 50 on the Champions Tour money list for a thirteenth consecutive season in 2004.

When he was an active PGA Tour player, Stockton had the reputation of being one of the best putters. In 2009, Stockton was credited with aiding the world's second-ranked golfer, Phil Mickelson with his putting, which helped him win the 2009 Tour Championship. He wrote a guide to putting called "Unconscious Putting," which was released in 2011.

Personal life Stockton is married to former Orange Show beauty queen Catherine Hales. They have two children, Dave Jr. and Ron, who both play professional golf.

Professional wins (25) PGA Tour wins (10) LegendMajor championships (2)Other PGA Tour (8)

PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

Other wins (1) 1967 Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome (with Laurie Hammer)

Senior PGA Tour wins (14) LegendSenior PGA Tour major championships (3)Other Senior PGA Tour (11)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–6)

Major championships

Wins (2) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunners-up 1970 PGA Championship 3 shot lead −1 (70-70-66-73=279) 2 strokes Bob Murphy, Arnold Palmer 1976 PGA Championship (2) 4 shot deficit +1 (70-72-69-70=281) 1 stroke Raymond Floyd, Don January

Results timeline

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

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 10 (1972 Open Championship – 1975 U.S. Open) Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1970 Masters – 1971 Masters)

Results in The Players Championship

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

Champions Tour major championships

Wins (3) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up 1992 Mazda Presents The Senior Players Championship −11 (71-67-70-69-277) 1 stroke J. C. Snead Lee Trevino 1994 Ford Senior Players Championship (2) −17 (66-66-71-68=271) 6 strokes Jim Albus 1996 U.S. Senior Open −11 (70-67-67-73=277) 2 strokes DeWitt Weaver

U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 1971 (winners), 1977 (winners), 1991 (winners, non-playing captain) World Cup: 1970, 1976 Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing Senior PGA Tour): 1994