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The casting method for manufacturing irons is introduced. Cast irons are more easily made and thus more affordable, although better players continue playing forged irons. Cast irons also offer a larger sweet spot than forged irons.
Jack Nicklaus wins The Masters and the PGA Championship.
A 20-year-old rookie named Raymond Floyd wins the PGA Tour St. Petersburg Open for his first career victory.Golf Pride introduces the Victory grip, a slip-on rubber grip that is less expensive and easier to make than the wrapped leather grips currently in use.Bob Charles of New Zealand wins the British Open, becoming the first left-hander to win a major.
Mickey Wright gets double-digit wins on the LPGA Tour for the third straight year, this time with 13.
Arnold Palmer becomes the first professional golfer with more than $100,000 in winnings in a single year.
Born This Year:
• Laura Davies, 1987 U.S. Women's Open champion
• Meg Mallon, 4-time LPGA major winner
• Colin Montgomerie, European Tour money leader seven straight years
• Vijay Singh, PGA and Masters champ
• Jenny Liback, LPGA Tour (one major)
• Billy Ray Brown, PGA Tour
• Deb Richard, LPGA Tour
• Missie Berteotti, LPGA Tour
Died This Year:
• Beatrix Hoyt (winner of three straight U.S. Women's Amateurs)
• Horton Smith, 2-time Masters champ
• J.H. Taylor, 5-time British Open champion
• Ed Dudley, 15-time PGA Tour winner and Augusta National's first club pro
Money Leaders:
PGA: Arnold Palmer, $128,230
LPGA: Mickey Wright, $31,269
Scoring Leaders:
PGA (Vardon Trophy): Billy Casper, 70.58
LPGA (Vare Trophy): Mickey Wright, 72.81
Men's Major Championship Winners:
The Masters: Jack Nicklaus
U.S. Open: Julius Boros
British Open: Bob Charles
PGA Championship: Jack Nicklaus
Women's Major Championship Winners:
LPGA: Mickey Wright
U.S. Open: Mary Mills
Titleholders: Marilynn Smith
Western Open: Mickey Wright
Ryder Cup:
U.S. 23, Britain 9
Amateur Champions
U.S.: Deane Beman
British: Michael Lunt
U.S. Women's: Anne Quast Welts
British Women's: Brigitte Varangot
Walker Cup
U.S. 12, Great Britain and Ireland 8
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