Frank Beard

Joseph Franklin Beard (born May 1, 1939) is an American former professional golfer who was a member of the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. Beard won eleven PGA Tour events.

Early life Beard was born in Dallas, Texas. He attended Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky, and won the Kentucky state high school golf championship as a senior in 1957.

Amateur career Beard attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Conrad Rehling's Florida Gators men's golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition from 1958 to 1961. He was recognized as an All-American in 1960 and 1961. He graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1961.

Professional career Beard turned professional in 1962. He topped the PGA Tour money list in 1969 with earnings of $175,223. He has eleven wins on the tour including victories in the Tournament of Champions in 1967 and 1970. He was a member of the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup in 1969 and 1971 and had a 2–3–3 win–loss–half record. His best finishes in a major tournament were a third-place finish and a tie for third in the 1965 and 1975 U.S. Opens. After turning 50 years old, he played on the Senior PGA Tour (now the Champions Tour), where he won the 1990 Murata Reunion Pro-Am.

Beard has also worked as a golf commentator on ESPN.

Awards and honors

In 1969, Beard was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great." In 1969, Beard won the PGA Tour money list In 1986, Beard was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional wins (14) PGA Tour wins (11)

PGA Tour playoff record (0–3)

Other wins (2) 1964 Kentucky Open 1967 Waterloo Open Golf Classic

Senior PGA Tour wins (1)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

Results in major championships

CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 20 (1964 PGA – 1971 Masters) Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (three times)

U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 1969 (tie, cup retained), 1971 (winners)