| Paul Runyan (July 12, 1908 - March 17, 2002) | | | | playoff for the first of his two PGA Championship |
| Considered short for golfers, Paul Runyan measured in | | | | victories. |
| at 5 feet 7 inches, and while he didn't have a | | | | Paul Runyan defeated Sam Snead 8 and 7 for his |
| tremendous long game, his short game was just about | | | | second PGA Championship, which is the most lopsided |
| unparalleled by any of his peers. He is considered | | | | final victory in the Championship ever. Of course, that |
| today to be one of the most influential short game | | | | was when the tournament was still decided on a |
| players of all time and his techniques have been taught | | | | match play format. |
| to thousands of golfers throughout the years. | | | | Paul Runyan's simple, yet effective advice, has been |
| Paul Runyan won 29 times on the Tour during his | | | | carried through the years and some of the most |
| illustrious career, winning the PGA Championship twice, | | | | successful golfers in the world can be viewed as living |
| in 1934 and again in 1938. He even led the U.S. Open | | | | by this assessment that Paul made: "Don't let the bad |
| after three rounds in 1951. He won 16 times in two | | | | shots get to you. Don't let yourself become angry. The |
| years, between 1933 and 1934 and his 9 wins in 1933 | | | | true scramblers are thick-skinned. And they always |
| has only been matched or bested by seven golfers | | | | beat the whiners." |
| throughout history. | | | | His passion for golf wasn't limited to winning |
| Paul Runyan was an iron horse of a golfer and taught | | | | tournaments, but to bring golf to the masses. "I want to |
| up to 20 lessons per week well into his nineties. Paul | | | | be remembered as one of the best all-around golf |
| Runyan started his golf career as a caddie and then | | | | professionals in the business who was equally |
| he became an apprentice at a golf course in his | | | | interested in promoting golf.... I wanted to put something |
| hometown of Hot Springs, Alabama. He turned pro at | | | | back, and I think I have put something back." |
| the age of 17 and went on to become an assistant | | | | With the work he did in the years after his |
| pro at Forest Hills Golf Course in White Plains, New | | | | professional, competitive days were over is testament |
| York. He was the assistant to Craig Wood in 1921 and | | | | that he truly did put something back and to this day, he |
| thirteen years later, in 1934, he defeated Wood in a | | | | continues to put something back. |