Bob Hamilton
1 Major Championship • 90th All-Time
1
Wins
0
2nd Place
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First Win Age
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Last Win Age
Major Championship Wins
Career Highlights
- 1944 PGA Championship — Won his only major title, defeating heavily favored Byron Nelson 1 up in the 36-hole match play final at Manito Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Washington
- Match Play Path — Defeated Gene Kunes, Harry Bassler, Jug McSpaden and George Schneiter to reach the championship match
- 1949 Ryder Cup — Represented Team USA, competing in singles and other matches
- 1965 — Inducted into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame as a member of the 2nd class
- Evansville Native — Born and died in Evansville, Indiana, where he spent his career as a club professional
Did You Know?
- 59 at 59: In 1975, Hamilton shot a remarkable 59 at age 59 at Hamilton Golf Club in Evansville — the only known golfer to shoot his exact age at 59, setting the record for youngest golfer to achieve this feat
- Stunning Upset: His 1944 PGA Championship victory over Byron Nelson was considered a major upset, as Nelson was the heavily favored player and one of the era's dominant forces
- Wartime Champion: The 1944 PGA Championship was the only major championship played that year due to World War II, making Hamilton's victory during this period even more significant