1965 - The Year in Golf, 1965

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At nearly 53 years of age, Sam Snead wins the PGA Greater Greensboro Open, becoming the Tour's oldest winner. It's also his 82nd - and final - PGA Tour victory. And to top it off, it's his 8th win in this event, a PGA Tour record for most wins in a single tournament.

The format of the U.S. Open is switched to 18 holes per day over four days. Previously, it had been three days with 36 holes on the final day.

A U.S. patent is issued for what is called the "body pivot" putter. This is believed to be the earliest patent for what would come to be known as the belly putter.

The U.S. Women's Open becomes the first women's tournament nationally televised in the U.S. when its final round is broadcast.

The Big Three of golf, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, finish 1-2-3 (actually 1-t2-t2) at The Masters ... but Nicklaus finishes nine shots in front. After watching Nicklaus' dominating win, Bobby Jones says that Nicklaus "plays a game with which I am not familiar."

A "qualifying school" (or Q-School) for the PGA Tour is held for the first time. John Schlee is the first winner.

Gary Player becomes the first non-American to win the U.S. Open in 45 years, and donates his winner's check to the USGA in support of junior golf. With the win, Player joines Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan as winners of the career Grand Slam (wins in the U.S. Open, British Open, Masters and PGA Championship).

Dave Marr wins the PGA Championship, becoming the first player whose father was a PGA professional to win the event.

Peter Thomson wins his fifth British Open.

Born This Year:
• Jesper Parnevik, European Tour, PGA Tour
• Dottie Pepper, LPGA Tour
• Helen Alfredsson, LPGA Tour
• Michelle Redman, LPGA Tour
• Carlos Franco, European Tour, PGA Tour
• Peter O'Malley, European Tour
• Scott McCarron, PGA Tour
• Brandt Jobe, PGA Tour
• Paul Broadhurst, European Tour
• Danielle Ammaccapane, LPGA Tour

Money Leaders:
PGA: Jack Nicklaus, $140,752.14
LPGA: Kathy Whitworth, $28,658

Scoring Leaders:
PGA (Vardon Trophy): Billy Casper, 70.85
LPGA (Vare Trophy): Kathy Whitworth, 72.61

Men's Major Championship Winners:
The Masters: Jack Nicklaus
U.S. Open: Gary Player
British Open: Peter Thomson
PGA Championship: Dave Marr

Women's Major Championship Winners:
LPGA: Sandra Haynie
U.S. Open: Carol Mann
Titleholders: Kathy Whitworth
Western Open: Susie Maxwell Berning

Amateur Champions:
U.S.: Bob Murphy
British: Michael Bonallack
U.S. Women's: Jean Ashley
British Women's: Brigitte Varangot

Ryder Cup
U.S. 19.5, Britain 12.5

Walker Cup
U.S. 11, Great Britain and Ireland 11 (U.S. retains the Cup)

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