1971 - The Year in Golf, 1971

Astronaut Alan Shepherd, using a club and ball he sneaked aboard the lunar lander, hits a golf shot on the moon. He uses a 6-iron.Lee Trevino becomes the first player to win the U.S., British and Canadian Opens in the same year (Tiger Woods later does it also). At the U.S. Open, Trevino defeats Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff. Trevino shoots 68 to Nicklaus' 71.Jack Nicklaus wins the PGA Championship and in so doing becomes the first golfer to win each of the four professional majors twice.

Sam Snead, at age 59, places fourth in the PGA Doral Eastern Open, won by Jack Nicklaus.

Arnold Palmer wins his first event in more than a year, defeating Raymond Floyd in a playoff for the Bob Hope Desert Classic. He wins four times during the year, and it's the 17th consecutive year in which he wins on the PGA Tour.Hubert Green, in his rookie season, defeats Don January in a playoff for the Houston Champions International and his first PGA Tour victory.

The 36-hole cut at the PGA Tour Phoenix Open is 5-under par, a record for lowest cut mark.

Born This Year:

Died This Year:

Money Leaders:

Scoring Leaders:

Men's Major Championship Winners:

Women's Major Championship Winners:

Amateur Champions
U.S.: Gary Cowan
British: Steve Melnyk
U.S. Women's: Laura Baugh
British Women's: Michelle Walker

Ryder Cup
U.S. 18.5, Britain 13.5

Walker Cup
Great Britain and Ireland 13, U.S. 11

Previous Year | Next Year
Golf Timeline Homepage