1959 - Men (All)
The winners in the category "1959 - Men (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
x
The Masters Tournament (23rd) (April 2-5). Dr Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 1 shot behind Wall (USA), who stormed through the field on the final day with a round of 66 that included five birdies in the last six holes. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (88th) (July 1-3). Second-placed Flory Van Donck (Belg) and Fred Bullock (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Player (S Africa). [Muirfield - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, East Lothian].
Majors
USGA
The US Open (59th) (Jun 11-14). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA). [West course, Winged Foot GC, Mamaroneck, NY].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (41st) (Jul 30-Aug 2). Second-placed Jerry Barber (USA) and Doug Sanders (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rosburg (USA), who recorded his first and only major championship win. [Minneapolis GC, Minneapolis, Minnesota].
Amateur
R&A
The Amateur Championship (64th). Beman (USA) beat Bill Hyndman (USA) 3 and 2 in the final. [Royal St George's GC, Sandwich, Kent].
Amateur
USGA
The US Amateur Championship (59th) (Sept 14-19). 19-year-old Jack Nicklaus (USA) beat defending champion Charles Coe (USA) 1 up in the 36-hole final. [East course, The Broadmoor GC, Colorado Springs, Colo.].
America
x
Played as the Tijuana Open (Jan 10-12). Second-placed John McMullin (USA) finished 2 shots behind Ernie Vossler (USA), who posted his second PGA Tour win. [CS&DC de Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico].
America
x
Played as the Almaden Open (Nov 19-22; non-PGA Tour event, predominantly played by pros based on the West Coast). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA), George Bruno (USA), Jimmy Clark (USA) and Ken Still (USA) finished 6 shots behind Ken Venturi (USA). [Almaden CC, San Jose, CA; now called Almaden G&CC].
America
x
Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Eduardo Blasi (Arg) finished in second place behind Ruiz (Arg). [Hindu Club, Don Torcuato, Buenos Aires].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (July 9-12). Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mike Souchak (USA). [Pittsburgh Field Club, Pittsburgh, PA].
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Mario Gonzalez (Brazil) finished in second place behind defending champion Casper (USA). [Gavea GC, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro].
America
Buick
Played as the Buick Open Invitational (July 2-5, 7). Art Wall Jr (USA) beat Dow Finsterwald (USA) in an 18-hole Tuesday playoff (Wall 71, Finstwerwald 73). Wall recorded his tenth PGA Tour win. [Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the Lafayette Open (Nov 12-15). Second-placed George Bayer (USA) finished 4 shots behind Casper (USA), who recorded his third PGA Tour win in his last four starts. [Oakbourne CC, Lafayette, Louisiana].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (50th) (June 17-20). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA), Art Wall (USA) and Bo Wininger (USA) finished 2 shots behind Doug Ford (USA). [GC Islesmere, Sainte-Dorothée Laval, Québec].
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (Apr 30-May 3, 5). 47-year-old Ben Hogan (USA) beat Fred Hawkins (USA) by 4 shots in an 18-hole Tuesday playoff (Hogan 69, Hawkins 73). This was the last of Hogan's five Colonial National wins, and the last of his 64 victories on the PGA Tour. [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
America
x
Played as the Chicago Open (June 25-28). Second-placed Johnny Pott (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Ken Venturi (USA). [Gleneagles CC, Lemont, Illinois].
America
x
Played as the Dallas Open Invitational (Sept 11-14). Second-placed Earl Stewart Jr (USA), Bo Wininger (USA) and Dow Finsterwald (USA) finished 1 shot behind Boros (USA). [GC of Dallas, Dallas, TX; at the time called Oak Cliff CC].
Played as the Colombian Open (Abierto de Colombia). Won by Pete Cooper (USA). [CC of Cali, Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia].
America
x
Played as the Eastern Open (June 4-7). Second-placed Gene Littler (USA) finished 1 shot behind 23-year-old Dave Ragan (USA), who recorded the first of his three PGA Tour wins. [Pine Ridge GC, Lutherville, Maryland].
America
x
Played as the San Diego Open Invitational (Jan 29-Feb 1). Second-placed Joe Campbell (USA), Billy Casper (USA), Dave Ragan (USA), Mike Souchak (USA) and Bo Wininger (USA) finished 1 shot behind Furgol (USA). [Riverwalk GC, San Diego, CA; at the time known as Mission Valley CC].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 2-5). Second-placed Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Venturi (USA). [Rancho Park GC, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Hesperia Open Invitational (Oct 8-11). Second-placed Bob Duden (USA), Jack Fleck (USA) and Jay Hebert (USA) finished 4 shots behind Eric Monti (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Hesperia G&CC, Hesperia, CA].
America
Arlington Hotel
Played as the Arlington Hotel Open (May 14-17). Second-placed Jim Ferree (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gene Littler (USA). [Arlington course, Hot Springs CC, Hot Springs, AR].
America
x
Played as the Houston Classic (April 16-20). Jack Burke Jr (USA) beat Julius Boros (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Burke 64, Boros 69). [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Jamaica Open. Won by Ed "Porky" Oliver (USA).
America
KCGA
Played as the Kansas City Open (Sept 4-7). Finsterwald (USA) beat Don Fairfield (USA) at the first playoff hole. [Blue Hills CC, nr Kansas City, Missouri].
Played as the Lafayette Open Invitational.
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open. (Sept 16-18; Metropolitan Golf Assoc event). Second-placed Shelley Mayfield (USA) finished 1 shot behind 46-year-old Jim Turnesa (USA). [Woodmere Club, Woodmere, Long Island, NY].
America
x
Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf). Tommy Jacobs (USA) finished in second place behind Miguel (Esp). [GC Chapultepec, Naucalpan, Mexico City].
America
x
Played as the Coral Gables Open (Dec 3-6; last played in 1937 as the Miami Biltmore Open). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA) finished 3 shots behind Doug Sanders (USA). This was Sanders' third PGA Tour win, in each of which Finsterwald was runner-up. [The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, FL].
America
Miller Brewing Co.
Played as the Milwaukee (Miller) Open (Aug 27-30). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA), Ted Kroll (USA) and Bo Wininger (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gene Littler (USA). [Tripoli CC, Brown Deer, nr Milwaukee, Wisconsin; from 2016 called the University Club of Milwaukee].
Played as the Mobile Sertoma Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Motor City Open (Aug 13-16; last played in 1956; next played in 1962). Second-placed Billy Casper (USA) and Doug Ford (USA) finished 9 shots behind Mike Souchak (USA). [Meadowbrook CC, Northville, nr Detroit, Mich.].
America
x
Played as the Greater New Orleans Open Invitational (March 6-9). Second-placed Jack Burke Jr (USA) and Tom Nieporte (USA) finished 2 shots behind 30-year-old Bill Collins (USA), who recorded the first of his four PGA Tour wins. Monday finish required after postponement of the first round due to rain. [Bayou Oaks at City Park, New Orleans, LA. Played on what was known as City Park's No.1 (East) course; now part of the South course).
Played as the Oklahoma City Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the inaugural Orange County Invitational (Oct 15-18). Second-placed Jack Fleck (USA) and Jerry Magee (Can) finished 2 shots behind Hebert (USA). [Mesa Verde CC, Costa Mesa, nr Newport Beach, CA].
America
x
Played as the Panama Open. Won by Pete Cooper (USA) for the second time in three years. [GC de Panama, Panama City, Panama].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 15-18). Second-placed Jimmy Demaret (USA) and Gene Littler (USA) finished 2 shots behind Wall Jr (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
America
x
Played as the Pensacola Open (March 12-15). Second-placed Jay Hebert (USA) finished 3 shots behind Harney (USA). [Pensacola CC, Pensacola, FL].
America
x
Played as the Phoenix Open Invitational (Feb 5-8). Second-placed Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 1 shot behind Littler (USA), who recorded his tenth PGA Tour win. [Arizona CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
x
Played as the Portland Centennial Open Invitational (Oct 1-4; last played in 1948). Second-placed Bob Duden (USA) and Dave Ragan (USA) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Portland GC, Portland, Oregon].
America
x
Played as the Puerto Rico Open (Feb 12-15; part of a four-event Caribbean tour). Second-placed Ed "Porky" Oliver (USA) finished 5 shots behind Pete Cooper (USA). [Berwind CC, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico].
America
x
Played as the Rubber City Open Invitational (Aug 20-23). Second-placed Bob Goalby (USA) finished 3 shots behind 29-year-old Tom Nieporte (USA), who claimed his first PGA Tour win after six years on the Tour. [South course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].
America
Sahara Hotel
Played as the Sahara Pro-Am (Oct 28/29; 54-hole unofficial PGA Tour event). Second-placed Ed "Porkey" Oliver finished 4 shots behind Doug Sanders (USA). [Las Vegas GC Municipal course, Las Vegas, NV].
America
x
Played as the Tournament of Champions (April 23-26). Second-placed Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mike Souchak (USA). [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC].
America
x
Played as the Memphis Open (May 22-25). First-time PGA Tour winner Whitt (USA) beat Gary Player (S Africa) at the second playoff hole. Al Balding (Can) was eliminated at the first playoff hole. [Colonial CC, White Station, Memphis, TN. Club relocated to Cordova, nr Memphis in 1972].
Played as the St Petersburg Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Texas Open Invitational (Feb 19-22). Second-placed Tom Nieporte (USA) and defending champion Bill Johnston (USA) finished 2 shots behind Wesley "Wes" Ellis (USA), who recorded the second of his three PGA Tour wins. [Brackenridge Park GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Thunderbird Invitational (which in 1960 evolved into the first Bob Hope Classic). Second-placed Ken Venturi (USA) and Jimmy Demaret (USA) finished 3 shots behind Palmer (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open Invitational (July 16-19). Second-placed Tom Nieporte (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gene Littler (USA). [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
x
Played as the Tucson Open Invitational (Feb 12-15). Second-placed Joe Campbell (USA) and Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gene Littler (USA), who also won the PGA Tour's Phoenix Open a week earlier. [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].
Played as the West Palm Beach Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 9-12). Second-placed Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Finsterwald (USA). [Starmount Forest CC, Greensboro, NC].
Europe
UK / Ire PGA
Played as the PGA Close Championship (April 8-10; for UK & Ireland professionals only). Second-placed David Snell (Eng) and Bernard Hunt (Eng) finished 6 shots behind Dai Rees (Wales), the first Welshman to win the PGA Championship. [Ashburnham GC, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, Wales].
Europe
Bowmaker
Played as the Bowmaker Tournament (a 36-hole pro-am event). Second-placed Angel Miguel (Esp) finished 1 shot behind Locke (S Africa). [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Sep 17-19). Second-placed Joe Carr (Ire, amateur) and Norman Drew (N.Ire) finished 4 shots behind O'Connor Sr (Ire). [Portmarnock GC, nr Dublin, Ireland].
Europe
News of the World
Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 9-12). Snell (Eng) beat defending champion Harry Weetman (Eng) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final. [Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, Merseyside].
Europe
Daks
Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed Peter Mills (Eng) finished 3 shots behind O'Connor Snr (Ire). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop £2750 Tournament. Second-placed Henry Cotton (Eng) and Dai Rees (Wales) finished 1 shot behind Alliss (Eng). [Royal Lytham & St Annes GC, nr Blackpool, Lancs].
Europe
x
Played as the Dutch Open (July 30-Aug 2). Second-placed Gerard de Wit (Neth) finished 1 shot behind Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum (S Africa), the first non-white golfer to win a major European title. Local golfer De Wit was runner-up in this event for the fourth time in six years. [Koninklijke (Royal) Haagsche G&CC, Wassenaar, nr The Hague].
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. Second-placed Syd Scott (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Rees (Wales). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Europe
x
Played as the Open de France. Second-placed Peter Alliss (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Thomas (Wales). [Vallée course, Racing Club de France (RCF), La Boulie GC, Versailles, nr Paris].
Europe
x
Played as the German Open (25th). Won by Bousfield (Eng). [Hamburg GC-Falkenstein, Blankenese, nr Hamburg].
Europe
x
Played as the Italian Open (Oct 8-11). Second-placed Alfonso Angelini (Italy) finished 1 shot behind Thomson (Aus). [GC Villa d'Este, Montorfano, nr Como, Lombardy].
Europe
Swallow / Penfold
Played as the Swallow-Penfold Tournament. Second-placed and defending champion Harry Weetman (Eng) finished 1 shot behind 27-year-old Peter Butler (Eng), who recorded his first significant professional victory. [Royal Burgess GC, Barnton, nr Edinburgh].
Europe
x
Played as the Portuguese Open (Oct 23-25). Second-placed Ángel Miguel (Esp) finished 6 shots behind his younger brother Sebastián Miguel (Esp). Ángel had previously won this title in 1954 and 1956. [Estoril GC, Estoril, Portugal].
Europe
Spalding
Played as the Spalding £1,350 Tournament (April 22-24). Eric Lester (Eng) and Harold Henning (S Africa) finished in a tie for first place. Harry Weetman (Eng) and Bobby Locke (S Africa) were a shot further back in joint third place. [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Spalding
Played as the Spalding £1,350 Tournament (April 22-24). Eric Lester (Eng) and Harold Henning (S Africa) finished in a tie for first place. Harry Weetman (Eng) and Bobby Locke (S Africa) were a shot further back in joint third place. [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open (Oct 14-17). Second-placed Jean Garaialde (Fra) and Syd Scott (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Thomson (Aus), who recorded back-to-back European circuit wins. [Real (Royal) GC El Prat, El Prat de Llobregat, nr Barcelona Airport. Club now located in Terrassa, nr Barcelona].
Europe
Sprite
Played as the inaugural Sprite Tournament (July 16-18). Second-placed John Paton (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Ken Bousfield (Eng). [Selsdon Park Htl & GC, S Croydon, London].
Europe
Yorkshire Eve. News
Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1550 Tournament (June 17-19). Second-placed Peter Alliss (Eng), Peter Thomson (Aus) and defending champion Harold Henning (S Africa) finished 4 shots behind Norman Drew (N.Ire), who recorded his first top-flight win in his first full year as a tournament professional. [Sand Moor GC, Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Asia
x
Played as the inaugural Hong Kong Open. Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) and Kel Nagel (Aus) finished 1 shot behind "Mr" Lu (Taiw). [New course, Hong Kong GC, Fanling; at the time known as Royal Hong Kong GC].
Asia
x
Played as the Korea Open (Sept 18-20). Won by defending champion Moody (USA), who was a U.S. Army serviceman stationed in Korea at the time. [Gurakbu course, Seoul CC, Neung-dong, Seoul; this course/club no longer exists].
Played as the KPGA Championship (June 19-21). Am-gil Cho (S Kor) finished in second place behind Moody (USA). [Gurakbu course, Seoul CC, Neung-dong, Seoul; this course/club no longer exists].
Asia
x
Played as the Philippine Open. Won by Crampton (Aus). [East course, Wack Wack G&CC, Manila, Philippines].
Japan
JGA
Played as the Japan Open (Sept 28-30; Japanese major ch'ship). Chen (Taiw) won in a playoff. [East course, Sagamihara GC, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Jpn].
Japan
PGA of Japan
Played as the Japan PGA Championship (July 7/8; Japanese major ch'ship). Torakichi "Pete" Nakamura (Jpn) beat Koichi Ono (Jpn) 5 and 4 in the final, to win this event for the third straight year. [Ibaraki CC, Ibaraki-shi, nr Osaka, Japan].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian Open (Sept 10-12). Second-placed Vic Bulgin (Aus, amateur) and John Sullivan (Aus) finished 5 shots behind 38-year-old Nagle (Aus), who recorded his first and only Australian Open win. [The Australian GC, Rosebery, Sydney, Aus].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian PGA Ch'ship. Nagle (Aus) beat Peter Thomson (Aus) 5 and 3 in the final.
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand Open (Sept 24-27). Thomson (Aus) beat defending champion Kel Nagle (Aus) in an 18-hole playoff (Thomson 67; Nagle 73). On the final hole of regulation play, Nagle holed his approach shot for an eagle-three to force the playoff. [Paraparaumu Beach GC, Paraparaumu, NZ].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship (Sept 27-30). Ernie Southerden (Eng/NZ) beat Michael Busk (NZ) at the 37th hole in the final, having been four down at the 18th hole earlier that day. [Paraparaumu Beach GC, Paraparaumu, NZ].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the International Trophy (Nov 18-21; best individual 72-hole score at the Canada Cup). Stan Leonard (Can) beat Peter Thomson (Aus) with a par-four at the first playoff hole. Team winners of the Canada Cup: Peter Thomson & Kel Nagle (Aus). [Composite of East & West courses, Royal Melbourne GC, Victoria, Aus].
Africa
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop South African Match Play Masters (replaced in 1960 by the Dunlop South African Masters). Player (S Africa) beat Harold Henning (S Africa) 3 and 1 in the 36-hole final. [Houghton GC, Johannesburg, RSA].
Africa
x
Played as the South African Open. Second-placed Gary Player (S Africa) finished 1 shot behind Hutchinson (S Africa, amateur), the last amateur to win the South African Open title. [Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, Jo'burg, RSA].
Awards
PGA of America
Wall (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Awards
PGA of America
Wall (USA) was the PGA Tour 1959 leading money winner, with earnings of $53,167 on the Tour. Gene Littler (USA) was second on the money list.
Rees (Wales) won his second Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1959 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events.
Awards
PGA of America
Wall Jr. (USA) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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