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Walter Hagen
WALTER CHARLES HAGEN (December 21, 1892 - October 6, 1969) was an American professional golfer and a major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century. His tally of 11 professional majors ...view moreWALTER CHARLES HAGEN (December 21, 1892 - October 6, 1969) was an American professional golfer and a major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century. His tally of 11 professional majors is third behind Jack Nicklaus (18) and Tiger Woods (14). He won the U.S. Open twice, became the first native-born American to win the British Open in 1922, and won the Claret Jug three times. He won the PGA Championship a record-tying five times (all in match play), and the Western Open five times. Hagen totaled 45 PGA wins in his career and was a six-time Ryder Cup captain.
Born in Rochester, New York, to William and Louisa (Boelke) Hagen, a working-class family of German descent, Hagen developed his golf game at the Country Club of Rochester. With assistance from head professional Alfred Ricketts, he improved his golf skill and became an expert player by his mid-teens. He made his top-class professional debut at age 19 at the 1912 Canadian Open, placing 11th, followed up with a surprise 4th place showing at the 1913 U.S. Open at Brookline, and went on to win the U.S. Open Champion in 1914.
A key figure in the development of professional golf, he represented the Country Club of Rochester early in his career. From 1918 he served as the first club professional at the now legendary Oakland Hills Country Club, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In the late 1920s he represented the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club. Throughout his career, Hagen played hundreds of exhibition matches across the U.S. and around the world, helping to popularize golf. Widely known for his dashing wardrobe while playing, he became one of the world’s top players.
He died in 1969, aged 76.view less