Who's who: Paul Runyan

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Who's who: Paul Runyan

  • Name:

    Paul Scott Runyan
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1908-2002]. Born on July 12, 1908 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Died on March 17, 2002, in Palm Springs, California, aged 93.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Hot Springs, Arkansas
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer and teaching professional.
  • Turned Pro:

    1925

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (2): US PGA Champion (1934, '38). Senior MAJORS (2): Senior PGA Ch'ship (1961, '62). Total professional wins (37), including PGA Tour (29). Ryder Cup player (1933, '35). US PGA leading money winner (1984). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1990).

Did you know?

Like several of his contemparies, Runyan started out in the game as a caddie. He progressed to become one of the world's best players in the 1930s, notching up 29 wins on the U.S. PGA Tour including two U.S. PGA Championships.

At 5ft 7in in height, Runyan was not a long-hitter by any means. To compensate for his lack of length from the tee, he worked hard to ensure he had one of the best short games on the Tour. He was later renowned and highly sought after as a leading teacher of the short game. His book "The Short Way to Lower Scoring" became a best-selling instructional book.

Top tournaments won by Paul Runyan

1962
America
278 (-10)
$2,000
PGA of America

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Played as the PGA Seniors' Championship. Dutch Harrison (USA), Errie Ball (Wales/USA) and Joe Brown (USA) finished in second place behind defending champion Paul Runyan (USA). [Dunedin GC, Dunedin, nr Tampa, FL. at the time known as PGA National GC].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

2 & 1

Prize money

Title sponsor

Teacher's

Played as the Teacher International Senior Golf Championship (July 6; 36-hole match between the US and British PGA Senior Champions; for the unofficial title of world senior professional champion). Runyan (USA) beat Sam King (Eng) for the second straight year, this time by 2 and 1. [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

3 & 1

Prize money

Title sponsor

Teacher's

Played as the Teacher International Senior Golf Championship (July 8; 36-hole match between the US and British PGA Senior Champions; for the unofficial title of world senior professional champion). Runyan (USA) beat Sam King (Eng) 3 and 1. [Fairhaven GC, Lytham, Lancs].

1961
America
278 (-10)
PGA of America

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Played as the PGA Seniors' Championship. Second-placed Jimmy Demaret (USA) finished 3 shots behind Runyan (USA). [Dunedin GC, Dunedin, nr Tampa, FL. at the time known as PGA National GC].

1938
Majors
8 & 7
$1,100
PGA of America

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

8 & 7

Prize money

$1,100

Title sponsor

PGA of America

The US PGA Championship (21st) (July 10-16). Short-hitting Paul Runyan (USA) beat long-hitting Sam Snead (USA) 8 and 7 in the 36-hole final. [Shawnee Inn & CC, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania].

1938
America
Ituzaingo GC
282
US$385
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Ituzaingo GC

Score

282

Prize money

US$385

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Second-placed Andres Perez (Arg) and Martin Pose (Arg) finished 1 shot behind Runyan (USA). [Ituzaingo GC, San Antonio de Padua, nr Buenos Aires].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

276 (-8)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the North & South Open (March 27-29). Second-placed Felix Serafin (USA) finished 8 shots behind Paul Runyan (USA). [No.2 Course (par-71), Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina].

1934
America
Charleston, CC of
273 (-11)
$700
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Charleston, CC of

Score

273 (-11)

Prize money

$700

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Charleston Open (March 15-17). Second-placed Craig Wood (USA) finished 9 shots behind Paul Runyan (USA). [CC of Charleston, Charleston, SC].

1934
America
Echo Lake CC
287 (+3)
$400
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Echo Lake CC

Score

287 (+3)

Prize money

$400

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the Metropolitan Open (May 24-26). Second-placed Wilfred "Wiffy" Cox and Walter Hagen (USA) finished 1 shot behind Paul Runyan (USA), who calmly sunk a five-foot putt on the last hole to claim the win. [Echo Lake CC, Westfield, New Jersey].

1934
Awards
$6,767
see Score
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Score

$6,767

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Runyan (USA) won the inaugural PGA Tour leading money winner title, with 1934 season earnings of $6,767 on the Tour.

1934
Majors
Park CC, NY
38th hole
$1,000
PGA of America

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Park CC, NY

Score

38th hole

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

PGA of America

The US PGA Championship (17th) (July 24-29). Runyan (USA) beat Craig Wood (USA) with a par to go 1-up at the 38th hole in the final. [Park CC, Amherst, Buffalo, NY].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

266 (-18)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Miami Biltmore Open (March 3-5; the first of two Miami Biltmore Opens played in 1933). Second-placed Charlie Guest (USA) finished 10 shots behind Paul Runyan (USA), who shot rounds of 69-64-65-68 to cruise to victory. Sponsored by Gene Sarazen, a six-inch putting cup (rather than the standard 4¼"), was being trialled for the first time in this event ... the larger hole did not catch on. [The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, FL; at the time known as the Miami Biltmore CC].

1933
America
Tijuana CC
287 (-1)
$1,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Tijuana CC

Score

287 (-1)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Agua Caliente Open (Jan 11-14). Second-placed Horton Smith (USA) finished 2 shots behind Paul Runyan (USA). [CS&DC de Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico; at the time called Agua Caliente CC].

1933
America
Presidential GC, MA
291 (+3)
$500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Presidential GC, MA

Score

291 (+3)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Eastern Open (Oct 12-14). Second-placed Leo Diegel (USA) finished 2 shots behind Paul Runyan (USA). [Presidential GC, Wayland, Massachusetts; unknown if this course still exists].

1933
America
Kenwood G&CC, MD
211 (+1)
$600
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Venue

Kenwood G&CC, MD

Score

211 (+1)

Prize money

$600

Title sponsor

x

Played as the National Capital Open (Nov 9-12; 54-hole event). Second-placed Walter Kozak (USA) finished 1 shot behind Runyan (USA). [Kenwood G&CC, Bethesda, Maryland].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Runyan, Paul

Score

291 (+7)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the North & South Open (March 27/28). Second-placed Frank Walsh (USA) finished 2 shots behind 21-year-old Paul Runyan (USA), who recorded his first significant professional tour win. [No.2 Course (par-71), Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina].

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