Who's who: Jimmy Demaret

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Jimmy Demaret

  • Name:

    James Newton "Jimmy" Demaret
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1910-1983]. Born on May 24, 1910 in Houston, Texas. Died on Dec 28, 1983 in Houston, Texas, aged 73.
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; golf broadcaster; golf club founder (Champions GC, Houston); singer and comedian.
  • Turned Pro:

    1927 (aged 17)

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (3). Ryder Cup player (1947, '49, '51). PGA Tour wins (36), including PGA Tour (31). USPGA leading money winner (1947). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1983).

Did you know?

Growing up in windy Texas, Demaret developed a reputation as one of the best golfers in windy conditions, something acknowledged by his contemporaries, not least Ben Hogan. A flambouyant and colouful dresser, on and off the golf course, Demaret was one of the leading golfers of his day. He became the first three-time winner of The Masters (1940, '47, '50), played in three Ryder Cups and, late in his career, partnered Sam Snead to win the 1961 Canada Cup (World Cup of Golf).

Demaret was one of the first top professionals to get involved in television broadcasting. For many years he and Gene Sarazen presented the very popular 'Shell's Wonderful World of Golf.' Together with Jack Burke Jr, Demaret founded the Champions Golf Club in their hometown of Houston. Among other top events, The Champions hosted the Ryder Cup (1967), US Open (1969) and US Amateur (1993).

Top tournaments won by Jimmy Demaret

1957
America
276 (-12)
$2,800
Arlington Hotel

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

$2,800

Title sponsor

Arlington Hotel

Played as the Arlington Hotel Open (May 9-12). Second-placed Jack Burke Jr (USA), Lloyd Mangrum (USA), Johnny Palmer (USA), Mike Souchak (USA) and defending champion Billy Mxwell (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jimmy Demaret (USA), who recorded the last of his 31 PGA Tour wins. [Arlington course, Hot Springs CC, Hot Springs, AR].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

273

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Defending champion Demaret (USA) beat Mike Souchak (USA) and Ken Venturi (USA) in a playoff. [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

269

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Second-placed Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 1 shot behind Demaret (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Ben Hogan (USA) finished in second-place behind Demaret (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].

1952
America
Prince George's CC
282 (-4)
$2,400
Washington Post

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Prince George's CC

Score

282 (-4)

Prize money

$2,400

Title sponsor

Washington Post

Played as the inaugural National Celebrities Open (Sept 18-21). Second-placed Ted Kroll (USA), Byron Nelson (USA) and Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind Demaret (USA). [Prince George's CC, Landover, MD; course closed and is now the Kentland Golf Training Center; event also played at Columbia CC, Chevy Chase, MD].

1952
America
145 (+1)
$2,000
Bing Crosby

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

145 (+1)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

Bing Crosby

Played as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am (Jan 10-12). Second-placed Art Bell (USA) finished 2 shots behind Demaret (USA). Event reduced from 54 holes to 36 following cancellation of second round due to bad weather. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].

1950
Majors
282 (-6)
$2,400
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

$2,400

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (14th) (April 6-9). Second-placed Jim Ferrier (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Demaret (USA), who became the first three-time winner of The Masters. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

1950
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
269 (-15)
$2,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

269 (-15)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Ben Hogan Open (Jan 26-29; Phoenix Open renamed in 1950 in tribute to Hogan). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Demaret (USA). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

1949
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
278 (-6)
$2,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 27-31). Demaret (USA) beat Ben Hogan (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Demaret 67; Hogan 70). It was driving back from Phoenix to Dallas after this event that Hogan and his wife Valerie were involved in a near fatal road accident that nearly finished his career. [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

268 (-20)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Albuquerque Open (June 3-6). Second-placed Skip Alexander (USA) finished 4 shots behind Jimmy Demaret (USA), who averaged 67 in his four rounds on the 6,813-yard course. [North course, Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque. At the time called the University GC; now only 9-holes].

1947
Awards
$27,936
see Score
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Score

$27,936

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Demaret (USA) was the PGA Tour 1947 leading money winner, with earnings of $27,936 on the Tour.

1947
America
264 (-16)
$2,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

264 (-16)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Tucson Open (Jan 30-Feb 2). Second-placed Ben Hogan (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Jimmy Demaret (USA). [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].

1947
America
Miami Springs G&CC
267 (-13)
$2,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Miami Springs G&CC

Score

267 (-13)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Miami Open (Dec 11-14). Second-placed Fred Haas Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). [Miami Springs G&CC, Miami, FL; at the time known as Miami Springs Municipal Course].

1947
Majors
281 (-7)
$2,500
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$2,500

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (11th) (April 3-6). Second-placed Byron Nelson (USA) and Frank Stranahan (USA, amateur) finished 2 shots behind Demaret (USA), who recorded the second of his three Masters wins. Demaret shot four sub-par rounds; the first player to do this in The Masters. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

1947
Awards
69.90
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Score

69.90

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Demaret (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.

1946
America
268 (-12)
$1,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

268 (-12)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Tucson Open (Jan 31-Feb 3). Second-placed Herman Barron (USA) finished 4 shots behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ, which played at 6,402 yds for the event. Now known as El Rio GC].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

279

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Second-placed Eduardo Blasi (Arg) and Enrique Bertolino (Arg) finished 4 shots behind Demaret (USA), who posted the lowest 72-hole total in the event's 37-year history. [San Isidro GC, Buenos Aires].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

286 (-2)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Orleans Open (Feb 23-26). Second-placed Ralph Guldahl (USA), Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) and Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). Monday finish required after earlier rain delays. [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).

1940
America
River Oaks, TX
293 (+9)
$1,000
WGA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

River Oaks, TX

Score

293 (+9)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (Feb 18-21). Jimmy Demaret (USA) beat Tony Penna (Italy/USA) in an 18-hole Wednesday playoff. Playoff scores: Demaret 71, Penna 74. [River Oaks CC, Houston, TX].

1940
Majors
280 (-8)
$1,500
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (7th) (April 4-7). Second-placed Lloyd Mangrum (USA) finished 4 shots behind Demaret (USA), who recorded the first of his three Masters titles. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

1940
America
Sequoyah CC
281 (+1)
$1,200
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Sequoyah CC

Score

281 (+1)

Prize money

$1,200

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Oakland Open (Jan 11-14). Second-placed Clayton Heafner (USA), Ben Hogan (USA) and Horton Smith (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). [Sequoyah CC, Oakland, California].

1939
America
Griffith Park
274 (-10)
$1,650
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Demaret, Jimmy

Venue

Griffith Park

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$1,650

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 6-9). Second-placed Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) finished 7 shots behind Demaret (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Wilson course, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA].

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