It is difficult to find one golf who accomplished more an influenced the game more than Byron Nelson. He was also called Lord Nelson for his gentleman demeanor. Ken Venturi describes Byron Nelson: “As a competitor, Byron was able to be mean and tough and intimidating-and pleasant…You can always argue who was the greatest player, but Byron is the finest gentleman the game has ever known.”

Byron nelson was born in 1912 just outside of Fort Worth in a town called Waxahachie. As a child he competed against another golfing legend named Ben Hogan. He learned to play golf as golf transitioned from hickory to steel shafts. He taught himself a swing that used the large muscles in the legs and hips, the swing plane was upright, and limiting the amount of wrist cock, a full shoulder turn and maintaining the flex in his knees. All of these attributes are present in the modern golf swing. The USGA’s Iron Byron was modeled after Byron Nelson’s swing (Iron Byron is used to test golf clubs and golf balls).

Byron best know accomplishment as a player occurred in 1945 when he won 11 tournaments in a row and 18 for the year. Also that same year he was runner up 7 times and shot lower than 70 in 19 consecutive rounds. Many believe this is the best year by any golfer in any era.

His career as a competing tour professional was short. He first turned professional in 1932 and ended full time competition in 1946. In his last 3 full seasons on tour he played in 75 events winning 34, a runner up in 16 events, and amazing placed in the top 10 74 times.

After his playing career ended Byron Nelson’s influence on the game lived on. He was an idol to many golfers including Arnold Palmer and he mentored to major winners from two different generations, Ken Venturi and Tom Watson. He even spent a few year on ABC Sports as a golf commentator.

Byron Nelson displayed all the characteristics of a great golf: highly skilled, fierce competitor, gentleman on and off the course. What set Byron Nelson apart from other great golfers are the swing changes he pioneered, his dominance of the game for a short period of time, and his wide reaching influence to other golfers. Byron Nelson was a true legend who will be dearly missed.

Byron Nelson’s Bio
Date of Birth: Feb. 4, 1912
Date of Death: Sept. 26, 2006
Birthplace: Long Branch, Texas

Byron Nelson Accomplishments
Total Wins (52)
Major Wins (5)
1937: The Masters
1939: US Open
1940: PGA Championship
1942: The Masters
1946: PGA Championship

Total wins (47)
1935: New Jersey State Open
1936: Metropolitan Open
1937: Belmont County Club Match Play
1938: Thomasville Open, Hollywood Open
1939: Phoenix Open, North and South Open, Western Open
1940: Texas Open, Miami Open
1941: Greater Greensboro Open, Tam O’Shanter Open, Miami Open
1942: Oakland Open, Tam O’Shanter Open
1944: San Francisco Victory Open, Knoxville War Bond Tournament, New York Red Cross Tourney, Tam O’Shanter Open, Nashville Open, Texas Victory Open, San Francisco Open, Minneapolis Four-ball
1945: Phoenix Open, Corpus Christi Open, New Orleans Open, Charlotte Open, Greater Greensboro Open, Durham Open, Atlanta Open, Montreal Open, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Victory National Open, Tam O’Shanter Open, Canadian Open, Knoxville Invitational, Esmeralda Open, Seattle Open, Glen Garden Invitational, Miami Four-ball
1946: Los Angeles Open, San Francisco Open, New Orleans Open, Houston Open, Columbus Invitational, Chicago Victory National Open
1951: Bing Crosby Pro-Am