Gene Littler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gene Littler
Littler at the 1959 U.S. Open
Personal information
Full name	Gene Alec Littler
Born	(1930-07-21)July 21, 1930 San Diego, California
Died	February 15, 2019(2019-02-15) (aged 88) San Diego, California
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Nationality	United States
Spouse	Shirley Warren ​ (m. 1951)​
Children	2
Career
College	San Diego State University
Turned professional	1954
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour Champions Tour
Professional wins	54
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	29
Japan Golf Tour	2
PGA Tour of Australasia	1
Champions Tour	8
Other	14
Best results in Major Championships (Wins: 2)
The Masters Tournament	2nd: 1970
U.S. Open	Won: 1961
The Open Championship	T18: 1974
PGA Championship	2nd: 1977
U.S. Amateur	Won: 1953
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame	1990
Bob Jones Award	1973

Gene Alec Littler (born July 21, 1930 – died February 15, 2019) was a famous American professional golfer. He was so good that he became a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. People called him "Gene the Machine" because his golf swing was so smooth and steady. He once shared a great tip about golf: "Golf is not a game of great shots. It's a game of the best misses. The people who win make the smallest mistakes." This means even the best golfers make mistakes, but they learn to make small ones!

Early Life and Amateur Golf Career

Gene Littler was born in San Diego, California. He loved golf from a young age. In 1953, he was part of the United States Walker Cup team, which is a big competition for amateur golfers. That same year, he won two important amateur tournaments: the U.S. Amateur and the California State Amateur.

In 1954, something very special happened. Gene won a PGA Tour event while he was still an amateur. This was a very rare achievement! It didn't happen again for a few years. Gene also went to San Diego State University. After college, he served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954.

Becoming a Professional Golfer

Gene Littler with his family in 1956

Gene Littler started his professional golf career with a bang. In 1954, he almost won the U.S. Open, finishing in second place by just one shot.

In 1955, he won four tournaments on the PGA Tour. He had a bit of a tough time in the late 1950s, but he bounced back in 1959. That year was his best, with five PGA Tour victories! He finished second on the money list, earning a lot of prize money.

Gene was a very consistent player. From 1954 to 1979, he almost always finished in the top 60 on the money list. In 1972, he faced a big challenge when he was diagnosed with cancer. But Gene was a fighter! He came back to win five more times on the PGA Tour after his treatment. He ended his career with an amazing 29 PGA Tour wins. He also won tournaments in Japan and Australia.

One of his wins was very special. In 1975, he won the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am. He was the first (and so far, only) player to win this event as a professional after also winning its amateur part earlier in 1954.

Major Championship Success

Gene Littler won one major championship, which is one of the most important tournaments in golf. This was the 1961 U.S. Open. He played incredibly well in the final round, shooting a score of 68, to win the tournament.

He often played well in major championships. He had 17 top-10 finishes in the three big U.S. majors:

• Seven times at the Masters Tournament
• Five times at the PGA Championship
• Five times at the U.S. Open

Besides his U.S. Open win, he finished second in each of the three U.S. majors. He lost in playoffs at the 1970 Masters and the 1977 PGA Championship. The 1977 PGA Championship was the first time a major golf tournament was decided by a sudden-death playoff.

Gene was also a key player for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. He played in the Ryder Cup seven times (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, and 1975). The Ryder Cup is a team competition between the U.S. and Europe. He had a great record, winning many of his matches.

Awards and Later Career

In 1973, Gene Littler received the Ben Hogan Award. This award is given to golfers who show courage coming back from injury or illness. He earned it after his successful return to golf following his cancer treatment. Also in 1973, he received the Bob Jones Award. This is the highest honor from the United States Golf Association, given for great sportsmanship in golf.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Gene continued to play on the Senior PGA Tour (now called the PGA Tour Champions). He won eight tournaments on this tour. In 1990, his amazing career was recognized when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Personal Life and Legacy

Gene Littler married Shirley Warren, his college classmate, on January 5, 1951. They had two children, a son named Curt and a daughter named Suzanne. Gene Littler passed away on February 15, 2019, at the age of 88. He is remembered as one of golf's most consistent and respected players, known for his calm style and powerful swing.

Gene Littler's Wins

Gene Littler had a very successful career with 54 professional wins. Here are some of his most notable victories:

PGA Tour Wins (29)

Gene Littler won 29 tournaments on the main PGA Tour. His most famous win was the 1961 U.S. Open, which is one of golf's major championships. He also won the Phoenix Open three times and the Tournament of Champions three times.

• 1954 San Diego Open (as an amateur)
• 1955 Los Angeles Open
• 1955 Phoenix Open
• 1955 Tournament of Champions
• 1955 Labatt Open
• 1956 Texas Open Invitational
• 1956 Tournament of Champions (2)
• 1956 Palm Beach Round Robin
• 1957 Tournament of Champions (3)
• 1959 Phoenix Open Invitational (2)
• 1959 Tucson Open Invitational
• 1959 Arlington Hotel Open
• 1959 Insurance City Open Invitational
• 1959 Miller Open Invitational
• 1960 Oklahoma City Open Invitational
• 1960 Eastern Open Invitational
• 1961 U.S. Open (Major Championship)
• 1962 Lucky International Open
• 1962 Thunderbird Classic Invitational
• 1965 Canadian Open
• 1969 Phoenix Open Invitational (3)
• 1969 Greater Greensboro Open
• 1971 Monsanto Open
• 1971 Colonial National Invitation
• 1973 St. Louis Children's Hospital Golf Classic
• 1975 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am
• 1975 Danny Thomas Memphis Classic
• 1975 Westchester Classic
• 1977 Houston Open

Other Important Wins

• Japan Golf Tour (2 wins): He won the Taiheiyo Club Masters twice (1974, 1975).
• PGA Tour of Australasia (1 win): He won the Australian Masters in 1980.
• Other Wins (2): These include the 1954 California State Open and the 1966 World Series of Golf.
• Senior PGA Tour (8 wins): After turning 50, Gene continued his winning ways, capturing 8 titles on the Senior PGA Tour.
• Japan Senior Tour (2 wins): He won the Coca-Cola Grandslam Championship twice (1983, 1987).
• Other Senior Wins (10): These include the World Senior Invitational (1980), Vintage Invitational (1981, 1983), and several Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf titles with his partners.

Major Championship Performance

Gene Littler played in many major championships throughout his career.

U.S. Open Win (1)

Year	Championship	Winning score	Margin	Runners-up
1961	U.S. Open	+1 (281)	1 stroke	Bob Goalby, Doug Sanders

Amateur Major Win (1)

Year	Championship	Winning score	Runner-up
1953	U.S. Amateur	1 up	Dale Morey

Summary of Major Results

Gene Littler consistently performed well in major championships.

• He made the cut in 14 consecutive major tournaments from 1962 to 1967.
• He had a streak of 4 consecutive top-10 finishes in majors from the 1961 U.S. Open to the 1962 U.S. Open.

Team Appearances for the United States

Gene Littler proudly represented the United States in several team golf competitions.

As an Amateur

• Walker Cup: 1953 (The U.S. team won!)

As a Professional

• Ryder Cup: He was on the winning U.S. team seven times (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1975). The 1969 Ryder Cup ended in a tie.
• Hopkins Trophy: 1956 (The U.S. team won!)

Images for kids

• 

  Gene Littler (right) congratulates Billy Casper after the 1970 Masters Tournament

See also

• List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins