Lloyd Mangrum

Lloyd Mangrum (born 1 August 1914 in Trenton, Texas, died 17 November 1973) was an American golfer. A Texan, he was known for and smooth swing and his relaxed demeanour on the course.

Related Topics:
1 August - 1914 - Trenton, Texas - 17 November - 1973 - American - Golf - Texan

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Mangrum became a professional golfer at fifteen, working as an assistant to his brother Ray, the head professional at Cliff-Dale Country Club in Dallas. He joined the PGA Tour in 1937 and went on to win thirty-six events on the Tour. He might have won more if his career had not been interrupted by service in World War II. While training for the D-Day landings, Mangrum was offered the professional's job at the army's Fort Meade golf course, which would have kept him out of combat, but he declined. He won two Purple Hearts and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. His best years on tour came after the war. He lead the PGA Tour money list in 1951 and won the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average on the tour in 1951 and 1953.

Related Topics:
Dallas - PGA Tour - 1937 - World War II - D-Day - Fort Meade - Purple Heart - Battle of the Bulge - 1951 - Vardon Trophy

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Mangrum's only major championship win came at the 1946 U.S. Open, though he was runner-up in four further majors and third in five more. He lost playoffs for the 1946 and 1950 U.S. Opens. In 1940 he shot a tournament record 64 in the opening round of The Masters Tournament, a record that stood for several decades until Nick Price shot a 63.

Related Topics:
Major championship - U.S. Open - The Masters Tournament - Nick Price

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Mangrum played for the United States in the Ryder Cup in 1947, 1949, 1951 and 1953. On the last occasion he was non-playing captain. He had a record of six wins two losses and no ties, including three wins, one loss and no ties in singles matches.

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Mangrum died of a heart attack in 1973. It was the 12th he had suffered. Mangrum's reputation has been overshadowed by the other stars of his era such as Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. At the 1996 Masters, Nelson conducted a test. "I asked three young pros if they ever heard of Lloyd Mangrum, and they never had." Nelson commented, "Lloyd's the best player who's been forgotten since I've been playing golf." In 1998 Mangrum was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
Sam Snead - Byron Nelson - World Golf Hall of Fame

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