Billy Casper

Three time Major Champion and former US Ryder Cup Captain Billy Casper has died peacefully at his home in Utah. He was 83.

The man widely regarded as one of the best putters the game has ever seen, won the US Open at Winged Foot in 1959 and at Olympic Club in 1966 as well as the Masters at Augusta in 1970, in addition to claiming 51 PGA Tour titles between 1956 and 1975.

He was successful outside the United States as well and indeed won the 1974 Trophée Lancôme in France and the 1975 Italian Open on The European Tour at Monticello Golf Club, beating Brian Barnes by a shot with Tommy Horton and Manuel Piñero a shot further back in a share of third. He also tasted success at tournaments in Brazil, Mexico and Japan.

Casper was also a personal friend of the late King Hassan II in Morocco and was instrumental in the setting up of the Hassan II Trophy which – under the name Trophée Hassan II – became a fully- fledged European Tour event for the first time in 2010.

King Hassan II, who had been acquainted with the sport while serving in the French Navy, wanted to launch a tournament in his home country and Casper was one of several professionals invited to travel to the country to play in the late 1960s before the tournament itself began in 1971.

Following on from those early trips, the duo struck up a friendship which saw them play in the region of 150 rounds of golf together over the years which led to Casper being honoured by the King for services to golf. Such was Casper’s stake in the tournament – which he himself won in both 1973 and 1975 – that when it became a European Tour event five years ago, he was invited back to Morocco as a special guest and spoke movingly at the official tournament dinner.

European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady was among many from within golf’s family who paid tribute to Casper, saying: “Billy Casper was not only one of the greatest players to ever play the game, but was also a special friend of The European Tour. On top of his three Major Championships and many worldwide tournament victories, he helped the launch of The European Tour Benevolent Trust and supported the Senior Open. He also enjoyed a unique relationship with the Royal family in Morocco and our sympathy is extended to Shirley and the whole Casper family.”

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said; “Billy Casper was one of the greatest winners in PGA Tour history and was a dominant player for the better part of three decades. We remember his three Major Championships and his incredible work on the greens that made him one of the best putters of his generation.<br /><br />“Beyond his career as a player, though, we will remember Billy as tremendous husband and father, a man devoted to family, charitable pursuits and his religion. He truly has left us with a lasting legacy."

Jack Nicklaus said: “Those who did compete against him knew how special he was. When I looked up at a leader board, I wasn't just looking to see where a Palmer or a Player or a Trevino was. I was also checking to see where Billy Casper was."

Gary Player also paid tribute to his former rival, saying: "I played a lot with Billy, and I always thought he had a wonderful short game. He was always a thorough gentleman."

Born in San Diego, California, on June 24, 1931, Billy Casper learned to play the game on his family’s farm in New Mexico. He turned professional in 1954 and won his first PGA Tour title two years later, at the Labatt Open in Canada.<br /><br />During a stellar career, he was the PGA Tour Money Winner in 1966 and 1968 as well as being PGA Player of the Year in both 1966 and 1970. In addition, he won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average five times: 1960, 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1968.

He also excelled in The Ryder Cup, being a member of the US team on eight occasions: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975 – and to this day still holds the record for the most points scored in the contest by an American player – 23 ½ - which is a half point more than Arnold Palmer.

He was also US captain at The Greenbrier in 1979 where the opponents – led by the European Tour’s Founding Father John Jacobs – appeared as Europe for the first time in the contest’s history. The match was close over the first two days with only a point separating the sides going into the singles, but Casper’s charges eventually ran out 17-11 winners.

In 1978, at age 47, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and when he turned 50 three years later, his pursuit of golfing success did not stop, earning nine Champions Tour wins from 1982 to 1989, including two Senior Major titles – the US Senior Open in 1983 and the Senior Tournament Players Championship in 1988.the same age.