7. Gene Littler
Gene Littler was the laid-back Californian, enjoying a longevity matched by few:
His final PGA Tour victory, the 1977 Houston Open, came 23 years after his
first, the 1954 San Diego Open in his hometown. Littler, who grew up playing
with Billy Casper, won that first event as an amateur, setting a standard that
fellow San Diegan Phil Mickelson would match 37 years later when he won the 1991
Northern Telecom Open as an amateur.
Nicknamed “Gene the Machine” for his
simple, efficient action, Littler had a swing that was the envy of his fellow
players. Gene Sarazen once said his motion was “a perfect swing like Sam
Snead’s—only better.”In 1977 Littler nearly became the second-oldest major
winner in history at the PGA Championship at Pebble Beach. Leading by four shots
after three rounds, Littler shot 76 then lost to Wadkins in the first
sudden-death playoff in a major championship.
Born: July 21, 1930
Major victories: 1
PGA Tour victories: 29
Other
achievements: 1953 U.S. Amateur, 8 Champions Tour wins, 7 Ryder Cup
teams
1. Tiger
Woods
2. Mickey
Wright
3. Billy
Casper
4. Phil
Mickelson
5. Juli
Inkster
6. Johnny
Miller
7. Gene
Littler
8. Amy
Alcott
9. Mark
O'Meara
10. Lawson
Little
