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George Douglas Sanders (July 24, 1933 – April 12, 2020)[1] was an American professional golfer who won 20 events on the PGA Tour and had four runner-up finishes at major championships.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

He was born into a poor family in Cedartown, Georgia, northwest of Atlanta, where his father farmed and drove trucks.[2][3] Sanders was the fourth of five children and picked cotton as a teenager. The family home was near a nine-hole course and he was a self-taught golfer.[4]

Amateur career

[edit]

Sanders accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville,[4] where he played for the Gators golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition in 1955.[5] In his single year as a Gator golfer, Sanders and the team won a Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship and earned a sixth-place finish at the NCAA championship tournament—the Gators' best national championship finish at that time.[5] Sanders won the 1956 Canadian Open as an amateur—the only amateur ever to do so—and turned professional shortly thereafter.[6] Sanders was the last amateur to win on the PGA Tour until Scott Verplank in 1985.

Professional career

[edit]

Sanders had thirteen top-ten finishes in major championships, including four second-place finishes: 1959 PGA Championship, 1961 U.S. Open, 1966 and 1970 Opens. In 1966, he became one of the few players in history to finish in the top ten of all four major championships in a single season, despite winning none of them. He took four shots from just 74 yards as the leader playing the final hole of the 1970 Open Championship at St Andrews, missing a sidehill 3-foot (0.9 m) putt to win, then lost the resulting 18-hole playoff by a single stroke the next day to Jack Nicklaus.[7] His final victory on tour came in June 1972 at the Kemper Open, one stroke ahead of runner-up Lee Trevino.[8]

Sanders is remembered for an exceptionally short, flat golf swing — a consequence, it appears, of a painful neck condition that radically restricted his movements.[7]

He was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1967, which won in Houston.

After retiring from competitive golf, Sanders was active in his own corporate golf entertainment company for nearly 20 years, and sponsored the Doug Sanders International Junior Golf Championship in Houston, Texas. From 1988 to 1994, he also sponsored the Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic.

Personal life

[edit]

Sanders was a stylish, flamboyant dresser on the golf course, which earned him the nickname "Peacock of the Fairways."[7] Esquire magazine named Sanders one of America's Ten Best Dressed Jocks in August 1972.[9]

Sanders identified himself as the lead character, a playboy PGA Tour golfer, in the golf novel Dead Solid Perfect, by Dan Jenkins.[10]

Sanders wrote a golf instruction book, "Compact Golf", published in 1964, the title of which linked to Sanders' short golf swing. His autobiography "Come swing with me" was published in 1974.[11]

In his autobiography, Sanders said he was invited and intended to accompany fellow pro golfer and 1964 Open winner Tony Lema on the flight in a private plane in 1966 that crashed with no survivors. Sanders changed his schedule at the last minute and did not join Lema on the flight.[11]

Death

[edit]

Sanders died in his adopted hometown of Houston, Texas, on April 12, 2020, from natural causes.[12][13] He was 86.

Awards and honors

[edit]

Amateur wins

[edit]
  • 1955 Mexican Amateur

Professional wins (24)

[edit]

PGA Tour wins (20)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Jul 8, 1956 Canadian Open
(as an amateur) 		69-67-69-68=273 −15 Playoff United States Dow Finsterwald
2 Jun 1, 1958 Western Open 69-68-70-68=275 −13 1 stroke United States Dow Finsterwald
3 Dec 6, 1959 Coral Gables Open Invitational 68-71-69-65=273 −11 3 strokes United States Dow Finsterwald
4 Mar 5, 1961 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational 68-65-69-70=272 −16 5 strokes United States Gay Brewer, United States Mac Main
5 May 14, 1961 Colonial National Invitation 69-75-67-70=281 +1 1 stroke Australia Kel Nagle
6 May 21, 1961 Hot Springs Open Invitational 68-68-69-68=273 −15 1 stroke United States Dave Ragan, United States Jerry Steelsmith
7 Aug 6, 1961 Eastern Open Invitational 72-66-68-69=275 −13 1 stroke United States Ken Venturi
8 Nov 19, 1961 Cajun Classic Open Invitational 67-67-67-69=270 −14 6 strokes United States Ken Still
9 Mar 11, 1962 Pensacola Open Invitational 67-67-67-69=270 −18 1 stroke United States Don Fairfield
10 Aug 19, 1962 St. Paul Open Invitational 66-69-69-65=269 −19 3 strokes United States Dave Hill
11 Aug 26, 1962 Oklahoma City Open Invitational 70-69-74-67=280 −8 2 strokes United States Johnny Pott
12 Apr 14, 1963 Greater Greensboro Open 68-65-68-69=270 −14 4 strokes United States Jimmy Clark
13 Mar 7, 1965 Pensacola Open Invitational (2) 68-71-65-73=277 −11 Playoff United States Jack Nicklaus
14 Mar 14, 1965 Doral Open Invitational 65-71-71-67=274 −14 1 stroke Australia Bruce Devlin
15 Feb 6, 1966 Bob Hope Desert Classic 70-72-68-73-66=349 −11 Playoff United States Arnold Palmer
16 Mar 27, 1966 Jacksonville Open Invitational 71-65-66-71=273 −15 1 stroke United States Gay Brewer
17 Apr 3, 1966 Greater Greensboro Open (2) 65-70-71-70=276 −8 Playoff United States Tom Weiskopf
18 Mar 5, 1967 Doral Open Invitational (2) 68-71-66-70=275 −9 1 stroke South Africa Harold Henning, United States Art Wall Jr.
19 Dec 13, 1970 Bahama Islands Open 66-70-68-68=272 −16 Playoff United States Chris Blocker
20 Jun 4, 1972 Kemper Open 71-68-68-68=275 −13 1 stroke United States Lee Trevino

PGA Tour playoff record (5–5)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1956 Canadian Open
(as an amateur) 		United States Dow Finsterwald Won with par on first extra hole
2 1961 Phoenix Open Invitational United States Arnold Palmer Lost 18-hole playoff;
Palmer: −3 (67),
Sanders: E (70)
3 1962 West Palm Beach Open Invitational United States Dave Ragan Lost to birdie on second extra hole
4 1964 Greater Greensboro Open United States Julius Boros Lost to par on first extra hole
5 1965 Pensacola Open Invitational United States Jack Nicklaus Won with birdie on third extra hole
6 1965 Greater Seattle Open Invitational United States Gay Brewer Lost to par on first extra hole
7 1966 Bob Hope Desert Classic United States Arnold Palmer Won with birdie on first extra hole
8 1966 Greater Greensboro Open United States Tom Weiskopf Won with par on second extra hole
9 1970 The Open Championship United States Jack Nicklaus Lost 18-hole playoff;
Nicklaus: E (72),
Sanders: +1 (73)
10 1970 Bahama Islands Open United States Chris Blocker Won with par on second extra hole

Far East Circuit wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 Mar 25, 1963 Yomiuri International 68-77-71-73=289 +1 5 strokes Japan Hideyo Sugimoto

Far East Circuit playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1964 Philippine Open Australia Peter Thomson Lost to bogey on first extra hole

Other wins (2)

[edit]

Senior PGA Tour wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 Sep 25, 1983 World Seniors Invitational 70-70-73-70=283 −5 1 stroke United States Miller Barber

Results in major championships

[edit]

Amateur

Tournament 1955 1956
U.S. Amateur R128 R64
The Amateur Championship R256

Professional

Tournament 1957 1958 1959
Masters Tournament T31
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship T2
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament T29 T11 T33 T28 T11 T4 T16 T12 T36
U.S. Open T46 T2 T11 T21 T32 T11 T8 T34 T37
The Open Championship CUT 11 CUT T2 T18 34
PGA Championship T3 3 T15 T17 T28 T20 T6 T28 T8 CUT
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open T37 CUT T45
The Open Championship 2 T9 4 T28 T28
PGA Championship T41 CUT T7
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
R256, R128, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Sources: Masters Tournament,[16] U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur,[17] Open Championship,[18] PGA Championship,[19] 1956 British Amateur[20]

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 1 1 5 11 10
U.S. Open 0 1 0 1 2 5 13 11
The Open Championship 0 2 0 3 4 6 11 9
PGA Championship 0 1 2 3 6 9 14 12
Totals 0 4 2 8 13 25 49 42
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 14 (1965 PGA – 1969 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (1966 Masters – 1966 PGA)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Doug Sanders

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Doug Sanders (, 1933 – , 2020) was an American renowned for his style and near-miss in major championships, particularly the infamous missed putt at the . Born in , to a of pickers, Sanders grew up near a and earned a scholarship to the University of Florida before turning professional in 1957. As an amateur, he won the 1956 Canadian Open; over his PGA Tour career, he secured 20 victories and amassed 154 top-10 finishes. Sanders' major championship highlights included four runner-up finishes: at the 1959 PGA Championship, the 1961 U.S. Open, and the 1966 and 1970 Open Championships, along with a fourth-place finish at the 1966 Masters Tournament. His most memorable moment came at the 1970 Open at St Andrews, where, leading by one stroke on the 18th hole, he missed a 30-inch putt for par, forcing a playoff that he lost to Jack Nicklaus the next day. Despite 13 top-10 major finishes, Sanders never claimed a major title, though he represented the U.S. in the 1967 Ryder Cup, contributing to a victory in Houston. His last significant win was the 1972 Kemper Open, after which he transitioned to the senior tour, winning the 1983 World Seniors Invitational. Nicknamed the "Peacock of the Fairways" for his colorful attire, 271 pairs of shoes, and playboy lifestyle, Sanders socialized with celebrities like and while promoting through pro-celebrity such as the Doug Sanders Celebrity . He was married and divorced, with a son from his first marriage, and later battled issues including , for which he underwent . Sanders' legacy endures through his inductions into the Hall of Fame (1987), Florida Hall of Fame, and Georgia Hall of Fame, as well as his efforts to popularize the among show business figures.

Early years

Early life

Douglas Sanders was born on July 24, 1933, in , a northwest of , into a family struggling amid the Great Depression. He was the fourth of five children born to George and Pauline Sanders, who supported the family by picking cotton in the fields, a grueling labor that offered little financial stability. The family's poverty was profound; Sanders later recalled his father walking five miles each way to work for just 50 cents a day, leaving insufficient food on the table, no access to medical care, and children plagued by lice and threadbare clothing. These early hardships defined a childhood centered on survival, with Sanders beginning to pick cotton himself at age seven for a mere nickel daily, and the family residing on the poorest side of the tracks in Cedartown without the means for frequent relocations or luxuries. At around age 10, Sanders discovered while caddying at the local nine-hole Cherokee and near his , a that provided small and an entry into the amid the cotton patches. Self-taught, he honed his skills using a sawed-off club, practicing by chipping and putting for nickels and dimes against older players, often losing at first but persisting under the guidance of the club's professional, Maurice Hudson, who allowed him to hit balls near a hedge. During his high school years in Cedartown, Sanders continued to develop his game through local play and informal challenges, building confidence despite his humble beginnings and the physical demands of caddying, which once required him to improve lies with his toes until club rules mandated shoes. This period marked his transition from survival to passion, as offered a rare outlet and potential escape from poverty. Following high school graduation, Sanders earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he joined the Gators golf team in 1953 under coach Andrew Bracken. Arriving a few years older than most freshmen due to his delayed start, he quickly became a standout, contributing to team successes including Southern Intercollegiate and Southeastern Conference titles in 1955 during his three years on the squad. The university environment provided structure and formal training, allowing Sanders to refine the raw talent he had cultivated in Cedartown and setting the stage for his future in competitive golf.

Amateur career

Sanders established himself as a promising amateur golfer in the early 1950s, securing back-to-back victories in the Southeastern Amateur Championship in 1953 and 1954 while competing out of Cedartown, Georgia. His amateur career reached its pinnacle in 1956, when he became the first—and to date, only—amateur to win the Canadian Open, defeating professional Dow Finsterwald in an 18-hole playoff after both finished at 273, 11 under par. This marked the sole PGA Tour victory by an amateur that year, a feat that highlighted Sanders' exceptional talent among professionals like Cary Middlecoff and Arnold Palmer. That same year, Sanders represented a showing in national by advancing to the round of 64 at the U.S. held at Knollwood Club in . Buoyed by his Canadian Open triumph, Sanders turned in late , ending his tenure at age 23.

Professional career

PGA Tour career

Sanders turned in 1957 following his victory at the 1956 Canadian Open as an , the last such achievement in PGA Tour history. His early years on the tour were marked by financial hardships and inconsistent results, as he struggled to establish himself amid competition from established stars like Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. It was not until 1961 that Sanders experienced his breakthrough season, securing four victories—including the Greater New Orleans Open Invitational and the Colonial National Invitation—and finishing third on the money list with $57,428 in earnings, a high at the time. Renowned for his unorthodox playing style, Sanders relied on a compact, flat swing with a notably short backswing that emphasized precision over power, allowing him to swing effectively in tight spaces. He excelled as a short-game specialist, with exceptional touch around the greens and a reputation for creative recoveries, complemented by accurate iron play that often set up birdie opportunities. However, his driving was inconsistent, lacking the distance and reliability of longer hitters, which sometimes placed him at a disadvantage on longer courses. Off the course, Sanders stood out for his flamboyant fashion, pioneering colorful pastel shirts, bright slacks, and signature white buck shoes that earned him the nickname "Peacock of the Fairways." Over his from to , Sanders amassed 20 victories, including over like Palmer in a 1966 playoff and a near-miss against Jack Nicklaus in the 1970 Open Championship. These high-stakes encounters highlighted his competitive edge in an era dominated by Palmer, Nicklaus, and Billy Casper. He recorded 146 top-10 finishes and earnings of $772,993, reflecting sustained excellence despite no major wins. Sanders also represented the United States in the 1967 Ryder Cup at Houston's Champions Golf Club, contributing to a decisive 23½–8½ victory under captain Ben Hogan. By the early , Sanders' waned to chronic tendinitis that forced him to play through pain, compounded by his well-documented playboy lifestyle involving late nights and socializing with celebrities like . His final PGA Tour win came at the 1972 Kemper Open, after which injuries and diminished drive led to fewer starts and lower finishes, prompting a gradual shift away from full-time competition by the mid-.

Major championships

Doug Sanders competed in 49 major championships throughout his career but never secured a victory, finishing with four runner-up placements and 13 top-10 results overall. These consistent high placements underscored his competitive prowess in golf's most prestigious events, though elusive triumphs left him without a major title. His first major runner-up finish came in the 1959 PGA Championship at Minneapolis Golf Club, where Sanders tied for second place, one stroke behind winner Bob Rosburg after birdieing the final two holes in the last round. Two years later, in the 1961 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club, Sanders entered the final round with a one-shot lead but shot a 75 to finish one stroke behind Gene Littler, who carded a closing 68 for the victory. Littler's win marked his only major championship, with Sanders and Bob Goalby sharing second place at 282. Sanders' Open Championship performances provided two more heartbreaking near-misses. In 1966 at Muirfield, he finished one stroke behind Jack Nicklaus, tying Dave Thomas for second at 283 after a steady final-round 70. The most infamous came in 1970 at St Andrews, where Sanders needed only a par on the 18th green to claim the Claret Jug. Leading Nicklaus by one shot entering the final hole, Sanders reached the green in regulation but missed a crucial three-foot putt, forcing an 18-hole playoff the next day, which Nicklaus won by one stroke. This dramatic lapse on the Home of Golf cemented Sanders' reputation for contending strongly but faltering at critical moments. Beyond these runner-up finishes, Sanders achieved other strong results, such as a tied fourth at the , two off Nicklaus' winning score. These performances, while impressive, contributed to a legacy defined by "what if" scenarios in , where Sanders' flair and talent repeatedly positioned him on the cusp of greatness without crossing the threshold. His major record highlighted resilience amid repeated heartbreak, influencing perceptions of him as one of the tour's most colorful yet unfortunate contenders.

International and other tours

Sanders began his with a outside the PGA Tour, winning the 1957 Colombian Open at San Andrés Golf Club near , , shortly after turning pro. In 1963, he claimed his sole on the Circuit by capturing the Yomiuri International in . Competing at Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club, Sanders posted a total score of 289 to win by four strokes over Hideyo Sugimoto, highlighted by a resilient final-round 73 amid 60-mile-per-hour winds. Sanders made several other international appearances during his prime years, including a runner-up finish at the Philippine Open, where he tied Peter Thomson at 285 before losing on the first playoff hole. He also contended in events like the Brazilian Open, posting competitive results that underscored his adaptability to varied courses and conditions abroad. Travel to these distant tournaments presented logistical hurdles, such as and long journeys, which tested his consistency but contributed to his growth as a versatile competitor.

Senior career

Champions Tour participation

Sanders joined the Senior PGA Tour (now ) in upon turning 50, marking his transition to senior after a distinguished regular tour . His participation was somewhat limited by health challenges, particularly torticollis—a condition causing a permanent tilt to his head and restricting his mobility—which affected his ability to compete at full capacity in later years. Despite these limitations, he competed in 213 events over his senior career, making the cut in 197 of them and achieving 24 top-10 finishes, including 12 top-5 results, which demonstrated his enduring competitiveness. In adapting to the senior circuit, Sanders relied heavily on his renowned short game, a hallmark of his playing style throughout his career, characterized by precise chipping and putting that compensated for any diminished driving distance due to age and health. This approach proved effective in select outings, where he secured one victory—the 1983 World Seniors Invitational—and two runner-up finishes. Overall, his senior earnings totaled $539,964, reflecting consistent performance in a field tailored to veterans. Beyond playing, Sanders contributed to the tour's growth by sponsoring the Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic, a pro-celebrity event held annually from 1988 to 1994 at the Deerwood Club in Houston, Texas, which served as an official Champions Tour stop and helped promote senior golf.

Senior wins

Sanders achieved his sole victory on the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the PGA Tour Champions) at the 1983 World Seniors Invitational, held September 23–25 at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The $152,000 event featured a strong field of senior golf luminaries, marking Sanders' first competitive outing on the tour after turning 50 earlier that year. In the final round, Sanders posted a 2-under-par 70 to overcome a four-stroke deficit to leader Miller Barber, finishing at 5-under 283 for the tournament. He seized the lead on the 14th hole as Barber faltered with bogeys on the 10th, 12th, and 13th, then held firm down the stretch, sinking a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th after Barber missed a tying attempt from 6 feet. Sanders credited his steady play to disciplined course management and newfound confidence on the senior circuit, avoiding the aggressive style that had defined his earlier career. The field included golf icons such as tournament host , who fired a final-round 67 to tie for third at 1-over 288 alongside Paul Harney, while Christy O'Connor finished fifth at 289. settled for second at 284, earning $15,000, as Sanders claimed the $25,000 first-place in a one-stroke . This triumph, Sanders' first in three senior starts and his initial PGA victory since the 1972 Kemper Open at the same Quail Hollow venue, offered late-career affirmation following a string of major championship heartbreaks, including a infamous missed 3-foot putt on the 18th green at the 1970 Open Championship that forced an 18-hole playoff loss to .

Personal life

Family and relationships

Doug Sanders was married . His first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Betty Jane Estes, with whom he had one son, Brad Sanders, a lawyer based in . The couple traveled extensively together during the of Sanders' professional golf on the , accompanying him on tournaments around the and adapting to the nomadic lifestyle inherent in the sport's demanding schedule. They divorced in 1960. Sanders' second marriage, to model and water-skier , took place in 1960 but was short-lived, ending in . His third marriage was to Priscilla Ruth "Scotty" Schilling in 1968; the union lasted until their in 1996, after which they maintained a close . Following his retirement from competitive , Sanders settled in , , where he spent his later years organizing charitable events and junior tournaments while staying connected to his , including his Brad and ex-wife Scotty. In 1996, he underwent surgery for , a condition that had worsened over time, though the procedure involved complications including a brief . This more stationary phase contrasted with the peripatetic of his touring days, allowing for deeper involvement in activities alongside his personal relationships.

Public persona and philanthropy

Doug Sanders cultivated a flamboyant that set him apart in , earning him the "Peacock of the Fairways" for his extravagant, color-coordinated attire and charismatic . He was renowned for outfits featuring vibrant , matching slacks, shoes—including buck shoes—and even accessories like and , often traveling with multiple suitcases to perfect . This bold style, which included emptying colorful medicine capsules from pharmacies to dye elements of his wardrobe, influenced golf fashion trends and drew crowds more for his appearance than his play. Sanders' reputation as golf's original extended to his nightlife, where he partied extensively in Las Vegas and became an honorary member of the Rat Pack, golfing and socializing with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. during the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions era. His lifestyle of 10 hours of followed by 10 hours of partying, with only four hours of sleep, epitomized a carefree, celebrity-infused culture that contrasted sharply with the sport's traditional conservatism. Sanders shared insights into his swing and life through authorship, publishing the instructional book Compact Golf in 1964 with Thomas Y. Crowell Company, which emphasized his signature short, compact swing technique. A decade later, in 1974, he released his autobiography Come Swing with Me: My Life on and Off the Tour through Doubleday, offering a candid account of his professional highs, personal escapades, and the glamour of tour life. These works reinforced his image as a larger-than-life figure, blending technical advice with colorful anecdotes from his playboy days. In philanthropy, Sanders founded the in 1973, a pro- event in that raised funds for charitable causes, including support for children's initiatives through partnerships with celebrity friends. The , later held at like the Deerwood Club, became a staple for community giving, with Sanders leveraging his connections to attract high-profile participants and generate significant donations for youth programs. Sanders' persona permeated media portrayals, serving as the inspiration for the lead character—a flamboyant PGA playboy—in Dan Jenkins' 1971 novel , which captured his fashion flair and nightlife exploits. His influence extended to golf's evolving , pioneering vibrant on-course that challenged norms and popularized bold, expressive styles among players and fans alike.

Death and legacy

Death

Doug Sanders died on April 12, 2020, in , , at of 86. His former wife, Scotty Schilling, confirmed the via text message to the and stated that the was complications from . In his later years, Sanders experienced a decline marked by , which contributed to his passing. He had resided in for many years with support. arrangements included a private interment on April 16, 2020, which was live-streamed on . Sanders was survived by his son, Brad, from his first marriage.

Honors and recognition

Sanders was inducted into the in 1972 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in . He was also honored as a member of the for his contributions to the in his state. In 1987, he joined the , reflecting his long association with the state where he resided later in his and hosted . In 1989, he was inducted into the . In 1973, Esquire magazine selected Sanders as one of America's Ten Best Dressed Jocks, celebrating his signature flamboyant style that set him apart on the PGA Tour. Following his death in April 2020, the PGA Tour confirmed the news and paid tribute to his 20 victories and enduring charisma. Media retrospectives highlighted his role in adding color and entertainment to professional golf during a more conservative era. Sanders' legacy endures as a fan favorite whose and wardrobe choices popularized the sport's entertainment value, paving the way for modern players to embrace individuality.

Tournament results

Amateur wins

Doug Sanders achieved several notable victories during his amateur career.
  • 1955 Mexican Amateur: Competing internationally for the first time, Sanders defeated Vidal Palacio 3 and 1 in the final to claim the title in .
  • 1956 Canadian Open: As an , Sanders won this event in a playoff against , posting rounds of 69-67-69-68 for a total of 15-under par, marking the last time an prevailed in the .

Professional wins

Doug Sanders recorded 23 professional victories prior to his senior career, with the majority coming on the PGA Tour. His wins spanned from 1956 to 1972, showcasing his consistency as a mid-tier contender who peaked in the early 1960s.

PGA Tour Wins (20)

Sanders secured 20 victories on the PGA Tour, beginning with his first as an amateur at the 1956 Canadian Open and concluding with the 1972 Kemper Open. His most prolific season was 1961, when he captured five titles, finishing third on the money list. The full list of his PGA Tour wins includes:
  • 1956: Canadian Open
  • 1958:
  • 1959: Coral Gables Open Invitational
  • 1961: Greater New Orleans Open Invitational, Eastern Open Invitational, Hot Springs Open Invitational, Colonial National Invitation, Cajun Classic Open Invitational
  • 1962: Pensacola Open Invitational, St. Paul Open Invitational, Open Invitational
  • 1963: Greater Greensboro Open
  • 1965: Pensacola Open Invitational, Invitational
  • 1966: Desert Classic, Greater Jacksonville Open, Greater Greensboro Open
  • 1967: Invitational
  • 1970: Bahama Islands Open
  • 1972:
These triumphs highlighted his prowess on challenging courses like Doral and Quail Hollow, though none were in major championships.

Other Professional Wins (3)

Beyond the PGA Tour, Sanders won three additional professional events, including international competitions that underscored his global appeal. Notable among them were the 1957 Colombian Open at San Andrés Golf Club, where he posted a tournament-record 269; the 1959 Pro-Am, an unofficial 54-hole event in ; and the 1963 Yomiuri International in , claimed by five strokes over the field.

Results in major championships

Doug Sanders participated in 49 major championships between 1957 and 1976, never securing a victory but achieving notable consistency with 13 top-10 finishes, including four runner-up placements and two third-place finishes for a total of six top-3 results. He made the cut in 42 of those appearances, recording eight top-5 finishes overall. His runner-up finishes came in the (tied second), U.S. Open (tied second), (tied second), and 1970 Open Championship (second). The following tables summarize his year-by-year results in each major, based on recorded appearances where the cut was made (missed cuts in additional starts are not detailed in available records).

Masters Tournament

YearFinish
1957T31
1960T29
1961T11
1962T33
1963T28
1965T11
1966T4
1967T16
1968T12
1969T36
Sanders made the cut in all 10 of his Masters starts, with one top-10 finish (T4 in 1966).

U.S. Open

YearFinish
1960T46
1961T2
1962T11
1963T21
1964T32
1965T11
1966T8
1967T34
1968T37
1971T37
1975T45
Sanders made the cut in all 11 of his U.S. Open starts, highlighted by his runner-up finish in 1961 and one other top-10 (T8 in 1966).

The Open Championship

YearFinish
196411
1966T2
1967T18
196834
19702
1971T9
19724
1973T28
1976T28
Sanders made the cut in all 9 of his starts, with four top-10 finishes, including runner-up results in 1966 and 1970.

PGA Championship

YearFinish
1959T2
1960T3
19613
1962T15
1963T17
1964T28
1965T20
1966T6
1967T28
1968T8
1970T41
1972T7
Sanders made the cut in all 12 of his starts, achieving six top-10 finishes, including a runner-up in 1959 and thirds in 1960 and 1961.

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/14/doug-sanders-obituary
  2. https://www.texasgolfhof.org/exhibit/doug-sanders
  3. https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/tour/the-open/doug-sanders-incredible-life/
  4. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/myshot-gd0308
  5. https://albanyherald.com/sports/smith-remembering-the-late-doug-sanders-who-rose-from-poor-roots-to-pga-tour-success/
  6. https://www.golfersjournal.com/editorial/sanders-from-cedartown/
  7. https://floridagators.com/news/2020/4/13/mens-golf-gators-golfer
  8. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/pga/2020/04/12/doug-sanders-lsquothe-peacock-of-fairwaysrsquo-passes-away-at-86/112264048/
  9. https://southeasternamateur.com/pastchampions
  10. https://www.golfcanada.ca/articles/doug-sanders-colourful-rbc-canadian-open-winner-dies/
  11. https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/01/21/list-of-amateurs-to-win-on-pga-tour-nick-dunlap
  12. https://archives.libraries.emory.edu/repositories/7/archival_objects/277773
  13. https://www.theopen.com/players/doug-sanders
  14. https://www.pga.com/story/doug-sanders-member-of-1967-ryder-cup-team-dies
  15. https://vault.si.com/vault/1962/01/22/the-badform-champion-of-golf
  16. https://www.si.com/golf/news/52-years-ago-at-st-andrews-doug-sanders-watched-british-open-glory-slide-by
  17. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/remembering-my-first-golf-interview-beers-with-doug-sanders-john-feinstein
  18. https://www.pgatour.com/player/02042/doug-sanders
  19. https://larrybaush.substack.com/p/beware-of-the-injured-golfer
  20. https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/doug-sanders-the-extraordinary-life-of-golfs-original-playboy/
  21. https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/doug-sanders-tributes-paid-to-flamboyant-golf-great/
  22. https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/tour/the-open/doug-sanders-1970-british-open-revisited/
  23. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/10/1959-pga-championship.html
  24. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/11/1961-us-open.html
  25. https://vault.si.com/vault/1961/06/26/littler-eases-to-a-hard-win
  26. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/11/1966-british-open.html
  27. https://groutgolf.com/2023/03/10/the-legend-of-doug-sanders/
  28. https://www.golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2020/04/12/doug-sanders-winner-of-20-pga-tour-events-has-died/76548273007/
  29. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/29026807/doug-sanders-colorful-20-winner-major-dies-86
  30. https://www.where2golf.com/golf-tournaments/results/player/doug-sanders/?order_by=-year
  31. https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/0812/081235.html
  32. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2021/05/yomiuri-international-golf-tournament.html
  33. https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/article/1963jul34.pdf
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/24/archives/thomson-wins-golf-playoff.html
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/obituaries/doug-sanders-dead.html
  36. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/doug-sanders-obituary-6jxdvr7kg
  37. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/player/02042/doug-sanders
  38. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/25/Doug-Sanders-came-from-four-strokes-back-Sunday-to/8856433310400/
  39. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/09/26/Doug-Sanders-had-both-history-and-a-good-attitude/6716433396800/
  40. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/herald/name/betty-mccall-obituary?id=13782743
  41. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2020/04/13/remembered-legendary-loser-doug-sanders-met-misfortune-humour/
  42. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2010/03/03/sanders-started-many-fashion-trends/
  43. https://www.globalgolfpost.com/featured/one-of-golfs-colorful-characters-doug-sanders-1933-2020/
  44. https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Doug-Sanders-Compact-Golf-Thomas-Crowell/32108859539/bd
  45. https://www.ebay.com/p/2990151
  46. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2020/04/12/doug-sanders-winner-of-20-pga-tour-events-has-died/76548273007/
  47. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/[golf](/page/Golf)/2020/04/12/doug-sanders-winner-of-20-pga-tour-events-has-died/76548273007/
  48. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/houston-tx/doug-sanders-9126099
  49. https://flasportshof.org/member-list/
  50. https://www.georgiasportshalloffame.com/full-list-of-inductees
  51. https://texas-golf-hof.squarespace.com/inductees
  52. https://www.gsga.org/hall-of-fame/inductees
  53. https://golf.com/news/doug-sanders-peacock-of-the-fairways-obit/
  54. https://apnews.com/obituaries-9bd71d42bbbfca7ebc114c94f69e70b5
  55. https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn88054115/1955-11-03/ed-1/seq-9/
  56. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/10/sahara-invitational-pga-tour.html
  57. https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=nfg19630325-01.1.13
  58. https://www.golfmajorchampionships.com/players/565
  59. https://flasportshof.org/fshofmember/doug-sanders/
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