Doug Ford

Douglas Michael Ford Sr. (born Douglas Michael Fortunato; During World War II, he served in the Coast Guard Air Division.

Ford recalled later in life that he showed enough promise as a baseball player that he received a contract offer from the New York Yankees. While he was considering the offer, his father asked how long he might expect to play baseball. When Doug said that he might expect to play professional baseball for about 10 years, his father responded, "Why don't you stay with the golf. You'll last forever."

Professional career Ford turned professional in 1949 and won for the first time in 1952 at the Jacksonville Open. The forfeit stemmed from a ruling Snead received during the tournament's second round of play. On the 10th hole, Snead's drive landed behind an out-of-bounds stake. While Chick Harbert, who was playing with Snead, thought the ball was out-of-bounds, a rules official ruled differently due to the starter not telling players the stakes had been moved since the previous day's play had ended. Afterwards, Snead explained why he forfeited even though Ford suggested they play sudden-death for the title. "I want to be fair about it. I don't want anyone to think I took advantage of the ruling."

Ford's first major title was the PGA Championship in 1955, which was contested at match play. He defeated Cary Middlecoff in the 36-hole final, 4 and 3. Ford was that season's PGA Player of the Year.

At the age of 88, Ford still regularly played casual golf.

Honors and awards In 1972, Ford was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame In 1992, Ford was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame In 2011, Ford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame

Professional wins (34) PGA Tour wins (19) Legend Major championships (2) Other PGA Tour (17)

PGA Tour playoff record (5–7)

Source:

Other wins (12) 1956 Metropolitan Open 1957 Panama Open, Metropolitan PGA Championship, Westchester PGA Championship 1958 Metropolitan PGA Championship 1959 Eldorado Professional (tied with Sam Snead) 1960 Metropolitan PGA Championship 1961 Westchester Open, Westchester PGA Championship 1963 Westchester Open, Metropolitan PGA Championship, Westchester PGA Championship

Other senior wins (3) 1981 Merrill Lynch/Golf Digest Commemorative Pro-Am 1987 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Legendary Division (with Jerry Barber) 1996 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Demaret Division (with Art Wall Jr.)

Sources:

Playoff record Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

Major championships Wins (2) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1955 PGA Championship n/a 4 & 3 Cary Middlecoff 1957 Masters Tournament 3 shot deficit −5 (72-73-72-66=283) 3 strokes Sam Snead

Results timeline

CUT = missed the halfway cut WD = withdrew R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play "T" indicates a tie for a place.

Source:

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 31 (1951 U.S. Open – 1963 Masters) Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (1955 U.S. Open – 1956 U.S. Open)

U.S. national team appearances Ryder Cup: 1955 (winners), 1957, 1959 (winners), 1961 (winners) Hopkins Trophy: 1952 (winners), 1953 (winners), 1956 (winners)