Full Name: Eugenio Saraceni
Profession: Golfer
Biography: Gene Sarazen was one of the world's top golfers in the 1920s and 1930s.
He won 7 major titles and is one of 5 players to win each of the four majors at least once, known as the Career Grand Slam. Along with fellow Career Grand Slammers Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, Sarazen's winning record reads the US Open (1922, 1932), PGA Championship (1922, 1923, 1933), the British Open (1932) and the US Masters Tournament (1935).
Sarazen dominated the era with the likes of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagan and the trio's rivalry expanded interest in golf around the world during this period.
In all, Sarazen won 38 PGA tour events and played on 6 US Ryder Cup teams. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and won the PGA Tour's first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
Born: February 27, 1902
Birthplace: Harrison, New York, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Star Sign: Pisces
Historical Events
- 1922-07-15 US Open Men's Golf, Skokie CC: Gene Sarazen wins the first of his 7 major titles, 1 stroke ahead of runners-up John Black and 20-year-old amateur Bobby Jones
- 1922-08-18 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Oakmont CC: 20-year old US Open champion Gene Sarazen defeats Emmet French, 4 & 3 in the final
- 1923-09-29 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Pelham CC: Defending champion Gene Sarazen beats Walter Hagan in 38 holes for 3rd of his 7 major titles
- 1928-05-11 British Open Men's Golf, Royal St George's GC: Walter Hagen wins 3rd of his 4 Open Championship titles, 2 strokes ahead of fellow American Gene Sarazen
- 1930-09-13 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Fresh Meadow CC: American based Scotsman Tommy Armour defeats Gene Sarazen 1-up in the final for the second of his 3 major titles
- 1930-12-07 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Fresh Meadows CC: American based Scotsman Tommy Armour defeats Gene Sarazen 1 up in the final for the 2nd of his 3 major titles
- 1932-06-10 British Open Men's Golf, Prince's GC: Gene Sarazen wins wire-to-wire by 5 strokes from fellow American Macdonald Smith
- 1932-06-25 US Open Men's Golf, Fresh Meadow CC: Reigning British Open champion Gene Sarazen shoots tournament record final round 66 to beat Bobby Cruikshank and Philip Perkins by 3 strokes
- 1933-08-13 PGA Championship Men's Golf, Blue Mound CC: Gene Sarazen defeats Willie Goggin, 5 & 4 for 3rd of his 3 PGA C'ship titles; 6th of his 7 majors
- 1934-06-09 US Open Men's Golf, Merion Cricket Club: Olin Dutra overcomes an 8-stroke deficit after 36 holes to win his second major title by 1 stroke from Gene Sarazen
- 1935-04-08 2nd Augusta National Invitation Tournament (Masters) Golf: Gene Sarazen wins Monday playoff with Craig Wood by 5 strokes
- 1936-04-06 3rd Augusta National Invitation Tournament (Masters) Golf: Horton Smith wins his second Masters, 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Harry Cooper, with defending champion Gene Sarazen 3rd
- 1940-06-09 US Open Men's Golf, Canterbury GC: Lawson Little defeats Gene Sarazen by 3 strokes in an 18-hole playoff to win his only professional major title
Biographies and Sources
- Gene Sarazen - World Golf Hall of Fame
Jordan Spieth
Kathy Whitworth
Kelly Robbins
Sally Little
Tiger Woods
Wayne Grady