Paul Runyan

Paul Scott Runyan (July 12, 1908 – March 17, 2002) was an American professional golfer. Among the world's best players in the mid-1930s, he won two PGA Championships and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Runyan was also a golf instructor.

Early life Runyan was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He started out as a caddie and then an apprentice at a golf course in his hometown.

Professional career Runyan turned pro at the age of 17. He was head professional at a Little Rock club by age 18. Runyan served as head pro at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, New York from 1931 to 1943 during which time he won both of his PGA Championships.

In 1934, Runyan defeated Craig Wood in extra holes in the title match of the PGA Championship, the first of his two PGA Championships. Of Runyan's 29 career PGA Tour wins, 16 of them came in 1933 and 1934, and his nine wins in 1933 make him one of only seven golfers to win nine or more times in one year on the PGA Tour. In the first Masters Tournament in 1934, he was paired for the first 36 holes with tournament host Bobby Jones. Runyan won the tour money title in 1934, and was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1933 and 1935.

Runyan was competitive for many years; he won the PGA Championship again in 1938 and led the U.S. Open after three rounds as late as 1951. In the finals of his 1938 PGA, Runyan defeated Sam Snead 8 and 7, the most lopsided title match ever in the event, conducted as match play through 1957. This was despite Snead's vastly greater length off the tee, as much as per hole.

Awards and honors In 1990, Runyan was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Runyan received the Harvey Penick Lifetime Teaching Award In 1998, he received the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award. In addition, he is a member of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Hall of Fame and The Southern California Golf Association Hall of Fame.

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins (29) 1930 (2) North and South Open, New Jersey Open 1931 (2) Metropolitan PGA, Westchester Open 1932 (1) Gasparilla Open Match Play 1933 (9) Agua Caliente Open, Miami Biltmore Open (March), Virginia Beach Cavalier Open, Eastern Open Championship, National Capital Open, Mid-South Pro-Pro (with Willie Macfarlane), Mid-South Open (tie with Willie Macfarlane and Joe Turnesa), Miami International Four-Ball (with Horton Smith), Pasadena Open 1934 (6) St. Petersburg Open, Florida West Coast Open, Tournament of the Gardens Open, The Cavalier Open, Metropolitan Open, PGA Championship 1935 (4) North and South Open, Grand Slam Open, Westchester Open, Metropolitan PGA 1936 (2) Westchester Open, Metropolitan PGA 1938 (1) PGA Championship 1939 (1) Westchester Open 1941 (1) Goodall Round Robin

Major championships are shown in bold.

Source:

Other wins this list is probably incomplete 1934 Westchester Open 1938 Argentine Open 1942 Westchester Open 1947 Southern California PGA Championship

Senior wins 1961 PGA Seniors' Championship, World Senior Championship 1962 PGA Seniors' Championship, World Senior Championship

Major championships

Wins (2) Note: The PGA Championship was match play through 1957

Results timeline

NYF = tournament not yet founded NT = no tournament WD = withdrew DQ = disqualified DNQ = did not qualify for match play portion CUT = missed the half-way cut R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 33 (1933 PGA – 1952 U.S. Open) Longest streak of top-10s – 6 (1934 PGA – 1936 U.S. Open)