Who's who: Ralph Guldahl

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Who's who: Ralph Guldahl

  • Name:

    Ralph J. Guldahl
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1911-1987]. Born on Nov 22, 1911 in Dallas, Texas. Died on June 11, 1987 in Sherman Oaks, California (aged 75).
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; golf writer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1931

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (3): US Open (1937, '38); The Masters (1939). Other notable wins: Western Open (1937, '38, '39). PGA Tour wins (16). Ryder Cup player (1937). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1981).

Did you know?

Guldahl was one of the best PGA Tour players of the 1930s.

Top tournaments won by Ralph Guldahl

1940
America
North Hills CC, WI
268 (-16)
$1,200
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Venue

North Hills CC, WI

Score

268 (-16)

Prize money

$1,200

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Milwaukee Open (Aug 2-4; one-off PGA Tour event, which reappeared in 1955 as the Miller High Life Open). Second-placed Ed "Porky" Oliver (USA) [North Hills CC, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin].

1939
America
Wildwood CC, PA
287 (+7)
$2,500
Dapper Dan

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Venue

Wildwood CC, PA

Score

287 (+7)

Prize money

$2,500

Title sponsor

Dapper Dan

Played as the inaugural Dapper Dan Open (Aug 11-13; next played in 1948). Ralph Guldahl (USA) beat Densmore "Denny" Shute (USA) and Gene Sarazen (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Guldahl 70, Shute 74, Sarazen 75). [Wildwood CC, Allison Park, nr Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; now called Wildwood GC].

1939
Majors
279 (-9)
$1,500
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (6th) (Mar 30-Apr 2). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind Guldahl (USA). It was third time lucky for Guldahl, who was runner-up in the previous two Masters Tournaments. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Score

280 (-2)

Prize money

$1,200

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (March 23-26). Second-placed Lawson Little (USA) and Clayton Heafner (USA) finished 3 shots behind Guldahl (USA). [Sedgefield CC and Starmount Forest CC, Greensboro, NC].

1938
America
Westwood CC, MO
279 (-5)
$750
WGA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Venue

Westwood CC, MO

Score

279 (-5)

Prize money

$750

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (June 14-16). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 7 shots behind Ralph Guldahl (USA), who recorded his third straight win in this event. [Westwood CC, St Louis, Missouri].

1938
Majors
284 (E)
$1,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Score

284 (E)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (42nd) (June 9-11). Second-placed Dick Metz (USA) finished 6 shots behind defending champion Guldahl (USA). [Cherry Hills CC, Englewood, nr Denver, CO].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Score

288 (E)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (Sept 17-20). Defending champion Ralph Guldahl (USA) beat Horton Smith (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff. Playoff scores: Guldahl 72 (E), Smith 76 (+4). [Canterbury GC, Beachwood, Ohio].

1937
Majors
281 (+1)
$1,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Score

281 (+1)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (41st) (June 10-12). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 2 shots behind Guldahl (USA). [South course, Oakland Hills CC, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan].

1936
America
Davenport CC
274 (-10)
$500
WGA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Venue

Davenport CC

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (June 19-21). Second-placed Ray Mangrum (USA) finished 3 shots behind 24-year-old Ralph Guldahl (USA), who shot a closing round 64 to clinch the win. [Davenport CC, Pleasant Valley, nr Davenport, Iowa].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Score

283 (-1)

Prize money

$2,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Miami Biltmore Open (Dec 4-7). Second-placed and defending champion Horton Smith (USA) finished 2 shots behind Ralph Guldahl (USA). [The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, FL].

1932
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
285 (+1)
$100
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Guldahl, Ralph

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

285 (+1)

Prize money

$100

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Arizona Open (Jan 22-24). Second-placed John Perelli (USA) finished 5 shots behind Guldahl (USA). Final two rounds played on the third day. [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

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