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Raymond Floyd
Raymond Floyd
Raymond Floyd
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Raymond Loran Floyd (born September 4, 1942) is an American retired professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments on both the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour, including four majors and four senior majors. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989.

Key Information

Early life and amateur career

[edit]

Floyd was born on September 4, 1942, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was raised in Fayetteville. Floyd's father L.B. had a 21-year career in the U.S. Army, much of it at Fort Bragg as the golf pro at its enlisted-men's course. He also owned a nearby driving range where Raymond and younger sister Marlene, a future LPGA Tour pro, honed their games. From an early age, Floyd could play equally well left-handed, and used his skills to enhance his allowance, winning money from soldiers on the course, as well as civilians in nearby towns.[2]

Floyd graduated from Fayetteville High School (now named Terry Sanford High School) in 1960. Skilled in golf and baseball, he had an offer to pitch in the Cleveland Indians organization, but chose to attend the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, but only stayed for a semester.[2]

Professional career

[edit]

After leaving college, Floyd turned professional in 1961, and quickly established himself on the PGA Tour. His first victory came two years later at age 20 in March 1963 in Florida, winning $3,500 at the St. Petersburg Open Invitational,[5] the first of his 22 wins on the PGA Tour, including four major championships.

Nancy Reagan reacting to a putt with Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Raymond Floyd in 1987
Nancy Reagan reacting to a putt with Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Raymond Floyd in 1987

Floyd won his first major title six years later at the PGA Championship in 1969,[6] and the second came in 1976 at The Masters, by an eight-stroke margin and was won wire-to-wire.[7] He won his second PGA Championship in 1982, after shooting a brilliant opening round of 63 in sweltering hot conditions at Southern Hills Country Club.[8] Floyd's round of 63 was the lowest round in a major championship until 2017.[9] Floyd finished 1982 ranked second in Mark McCormack's world golf rankings, behind only Tom Watson, who had won two majors that season; had those rankings been calculated over just two seasons, on a par with the system in place at the end of 2012, Floyd would have been ranked world number one in 1982, as he had earned more points from all events in total than Watson in both 1981 and 1982.[citation needed]

Floyd's fourth and final major title came at the U.S. Open in 1986 at Shinnecock Hills.[10] After three rounds, he was tied for fifth place, three shots behind leader Greg Norman,[11] who held the 54-hole lead at all four majors in 1986. Norman faltered on Sunday with a 75 (+5), but Floyd shot 66 to win by two strokes and became the then-oldest U.S. Open champion by a few months at 43 years and 9 months.[10][12] (The record was Ted Ray's since 1920, and is now held by Hale Irwin, a champion at age 45 in 1990.)[13]

The one major title that eluded Floyd, which prevented him from completing the career grand slam, was The Open Championship. His best result was in 1978 at St Andrews; he tied for second place, behind three-time winner Jack Nicklaus.

Floyd came very close to winning a second Green Jacket at the 1990 Masters, where he lost in a playoff to Nick Faldo.[14] On the second playoff hole, Floyd pulled a 7-iron shot into the pond left of the 11th green.[15] Afterward, he said, "This is the most devastating thing that's ever happened to me in my career. I've had a lot of losses, but nothing like this."[16][17]

In 1992, Floyd again finished runner-up at The Masters, two strokes behind the winner Fred Couples. Floyd's final win on the PGA Tour came at the Doral-Ryder Open in 1992 at age 49, making him one of the oldest players to win a PGA Tour event. The Doral-Ryder Open victory also gave him the distinction of winning PGA Tour events in four decades, joining Sam Snead as the second player to achieve that feat.[18] Floyd also won on the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions) later that season, making him the first player to win on both tours in the same year.

At the end of 1992, Floyd was ranked 14th on the Official World Golf Ranking at the age of 50, one of the highest positions ever attained by a player of that age. Floyd's successful run continued on the Senior Tour, with 14 wins between 1992 and 2000, including four senior majors and two Senior Tour Championships.

In addition to Floyd's victories on the PGA and Champions Tours, he won at least 24 additional tournaments around the world, taking his total victory tally to at least 60 events. While active, Floyd was considered by most golf experts to be the best at chipping the golf ball. He holed many shots from just off the green, the most famous may have been at the Doral-Eastern Open in 1980, where his successful birdie chip on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff defeated Jack Nicklaus.[19][20]

On his decision to continue playing professional golf on the Senior Tour, Floyd spoke with Golf Digest and mused aloud: "Why do I enjoy golf after 31 years, going out there and doing things that are necessary to be competitive—having practice, having to work, having to dedicate yourself? I guess it comes down to the competition. My personality...I'm not going to play if I'm not competitive."[21]

Floyd won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour in 1983 and played for the U.S. on eight Ryder Cup teams (1969, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1991, and 1993).

Floyd was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989. He captained the U.S. Ryder Cup team at The Belfry in England in 1989. At a gala dinner held before the start of the matches, Floyd famously introduced his American side as "The 12 greatest players in the world."[22][23] This irritated European player Nick Faldo of England, who later said that he felt Floyd's comment was inappropriate.[24]

Floyd was an assistant Ryder Cup captain in 2008. On the eve of the Masters in 2010, Floyd announced his retirement from competitive golf.[25] He was the honoree at Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament in 2013.[26]

Professional wins (63)

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PGA Tour wins (22)

[edit]
Legend
Major championships (4)
Players Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (17)
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Mar 17, 1963 St. Petersburg Open Invitational 67-71-67-69=274 −14 1 stroke United States Dave Marr
2 Jun 27, 1965 St. Paul Open Invitational 66-70-65-69=270 −14 4 strokes United States Tommy Aaron, United States Gene Littler
3 Mar 23, 1969 Greater Jacksonville Open 68-71-68-71=278 −10 Playoff United States Gardner Dickinson
4 Jul 27, 1969 American Golf Classic 67-68-68-65=268 −12 4 strokes United States Bobby Nichols
5 Aug 17, 1969 PGA Championship 69-66-67-74=276 −8 1 stroke South Africa Gary Player
6 Jun 8, 1975 Kemper Open 65-71-73-69=278 −10 3 strokes United States John Mahaffey, South Africa Gary Player
7 Apr 11, 1976 Masters Tournament 65-66-70-70=271 −17 8 strokes United States Ben Crenshaw
8 Sep 12, 1976 World Open Golf Championship 69-67-67-71=274 −10 Playoff United States Jerry McGee
9 May 8, 1977 Byron Nelson Golf Classic 69-70-68-69=276 −8 2 strokes United States Ben Crenshaw
10 Jul 17, 1977 Pleasant Valley Classic 67-68-67-69=271 −12 1 stroke United States Jack Nicklaus
11 Apr 8, 1979 Greater Greensboro Open 73-71-71-67=282 −6 1 stroke United States George Burns, South Africa Gary Player
12 Mar 16, 1980 Doral-Eastern Open 74-69-70-66=279 −9 Playoff United States Jack Nicklaus
13 Mar 15, 1981 Doral-Eastern Open (2) 66-68-71-68=273 −15 1 stroke United States Keith Fergus, Australia David Graham
14 Mar 23, 1981 Tournament Players Championship 72-74-71-68=285 −3 Playoff United States Barry Jaeckel, United States Curtis Strange
15 Jun 14, 1981 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic 70-68-68-69=275 −9 2 strokes United States Bobby Clampett, United States Gibby Gilbert,
United States Craig Stadler
16 May 30, 1982 Memorial Tournament 74-69-67-71=281 −7 2 strokes United States Peter Jacobsen, United States Wayne Levi,
United States Roger Maltbie, United States Gil Morgan
17 Jun 13, 1982 Danny Thomas Memphis Classic 67-68-67-69=271 −17 6 strokes United States Mike Holland
18 Aug 8, 1982 PGA Championship (2) 63-69-68-72=272 −8 3 strokes United States Lanny Wadkins
19 Apr 28, 1985 Houston Open 69-70-69-69=277 −11 1 stroke South Africa David Frost, United States Bob Lohr
20 Jun 15, 1986 U.S. Open 75-68-70-66=279 −1 2 strokes United States Chip Beck, United States Lanny Wadkins
21 Oct 19, 1986 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic 68-66-70-71=275 −13 Playoff United States Lon Hinkle, United States Mike Sullivan
22 Mar 8, 1992 Doral-Ryder Open (3) 67-67-67-70=271 −17 2 strokes United States Keith Clearwater, United States Fred Couples

PGA Tour playoff record (5–10)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1969 Greater Jacksonville Open United States Gardner Dickinson Won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1971 Bob Hope Desert Classic United States Arnold Palmer Lost to birdie on second extra hole
3 1973 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am United States Orville Moody, United States Jack Nicklaus Nicklaus won with birdie on first extra hole
4 1974 American Golf Classic United States Gay Brewer, United States Jim Colbert
United States Forrest Fezler 		Colbert won with par on second extra hole
Brewer and Fezler eliminated by par on first hole
5 1975 Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational United States Bobby Nichols, United States J. C. Snead Snead won with birdie on fourth extra hole
Nichols eliminated by par on first hole
6 1976 World Open Golf Championship United States Jerry McGee Won with birdie on first extra hole
7 1980 Doral-Eastern Open United States Jack Nicklaus Won with birdie on second extra hole
8 1981 Wickes-Andy Williams San Diego Open United States Tom Jenkins, United States Bruce Lietzke Lietzke won with birdie on second extra hole
Jenkins eliminated by par on first hole
9 1981 Tournament Players Championship United States Barry Jaeckel, United States Curtis Strange Won with par on first extra hole
10 1982 Georgia-Pacific Atlanta Golf Classic United States Keith Fergus Lost to birdie on first extra hole
11 1982 World Series of Golf United States Craig Stadler Lost to par on fourth extra hole
12 1985 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic United States George Burns, United States Roger Maltbie Maltbie won with birdie on fourth extra hole
13 1986 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic United States Lon Hinkle, United States Mike Sullivan Won with par on first extra hole
14 1990 Masters Tournament England Nick Faldo Lost to par on second extra hole
15 1992 GTE Byron Nelson Classic United States Billy Ray Brown, United States Ben Crenshaw
United States Bruce Lietzke 		Brown won with birdie on first extra hole

PGA of Japan Tour wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 Sep 1, 1991 Daiwa KBC Augusta 66-69-69-69=273 −15 1 stroke Philippines Frankie Miñoza

Latin American wins (2)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Nov 26, 1978 Brazil Open 66-69-72-70=277 −7 5 strokes Argentina Vicente Fernández, Scotland Steve Martin
2 Dec 16, 1979 Friendship Cup 71-69-66-69=275 −9 3 strokes United States Peter Jacobsen

Other wins (12)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Jun 28, 1981 Labatt's International Golf Classic 71-70-65-71=277 −11 6 strokes Canada Daniel Talbot
1 Dec 5, 1982 Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge 72-69-68-71=280 −8 Playoff United States Craig Stadler
2 Dec 15, 1985 Chrysler Team Championship
(with United States Hal Sutton) 		63-65-68-64=260 −28 Playoff United States Charlie Bolling and United States Brad Fabel,
United States Jim Colbert and United States Tom Purtzer,
United States John Fought and United States Pat McGowan,
United States Gary Hallberg and United States Scott Hoch
3 Nov 27, 1988 Skins Game $290,000 $372,000 United States Jack Nicklaus
4 Nov 18, 1990 RMCC Invitational
(with United States Fred Couples) 		64-57-61=182 −34 5 strokes United States Peter Jacobsen and United States Arnold Palmer
5 Nov 21, 1993 Franklin Funds Shark Shootout
(with Australia Steve Elkington) 		62-64-62=188 −28 1 stroke United States Mark Calcavecchia and United States Brad Faxon,
United States Hale Irwin and United States Bruce Lietzke,
United States Tom Kite and United States Davis Love III,
United States Mark O'Meara and United States Curtis Strange
6 Dec 3, 1995 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge
(with son Raymond Floyd Jr.) 		62-57=119 −25 6 strokes United States Hale Irwin and son Steve Irwin
7 Dec 8, 1996 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (2)
(with son Raymond Floyd Jr.) 		61-63=124 −20 2 strokes United States Dave Stockton and son Ron Stockton
8 Dec 7, 1997 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (3)
(with son Raymond Floyd Jr.) 		62-58=120 −24 1 stroke United States Dave Stockton and son Ron Stockton
9 Jun 22, 2000 Tylenol Par-3 Shootout $320,000 $200,000 United States Phil Mickelson
10 Dec 10, 2000 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (4)
(with son Robert Floyd) 		62-60=122 −22 Playoff United States Johnny Miller and son Scott Miller
11 Dec 2, 2001 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (5)
(with son Robert Floyd) 		63-61=124 −20 1 stroke United States Hale Irwin and son Steve Irwin

Other playoff record (3–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1982 Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge United States Craig Stadler Won with par on fourth extra hole
2 1985 Chrysler Team Championship
(with United States Hal Sutton) 		United States Charlie Bolling and United States Brad Fabel,
United States Jim Colbert and United States Tom Purtzer,
United States John Fought and United States Pat McGowan,
United States Gary Hallberg and United States Scott Hoch 		Won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1991 Fred Meyer Challenge
(with United States Fred Couples) 		United States Paul Azinger and United States Ben Crenshaw,
United States Mark Calcavecchia and United States Bob Gilder 		Azinger/Crenshaw won with birdie on second extra hole
Calcavecchia/Gilder eliminated by par on first hole
4 1999 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge
(with son Robert Floyd) 		United States Jack Nicklaus and son Gary Nicklaus Lost to birdie on third extra hole
5 2000 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge
(with son Robert Floyd) 		United States Johnny Miller and son Scott Miller Won with birdie on first extra hole

Senior PGA Tour wins (14)

[edit]
Legend
Senior PGA Tour major championships (4)
Tour Championships (2)
Other Senior PGA Tour (8)
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Sep 20, 1992 GTE North Classic 66-67-66=199 −17 2 strokes United States Mike Hill
2 Oct 25, 1992 Ralphs Senior Classic 68-65-62=195 −21 3 strokes Japan Isao Aoki
3 Dec 13, 1992 Senior Tour Championship 65-67-65=197 −19 5 strokes United States George Archer, United States Dale Douglass
4 Mar 21, 1993 Gulfstream Aerospace Invitational 65-65-64=194 −22 5 strokes United States George Archer
5 Aug 1, 1993 Northville Long Island Classic 73-70-65=208 −8 2 strokes United States Bob Betley, New Zealand Bob Charles,
South Africa Harold Henning, United States Bruce Lehnhard,
United States Walt Zembriski
6 Apr 3, 1994 The Tradition 65-70-68-68=271 −17 Playoff United States Dale Douglass
7 May 1, 1994 Las Vegas Senior Classic 68-70-65=203 −13 3 strokes United States Tom Wargo
8 May 22, 1994 NFL Golf Classic 68-66-64=198 −10 1 stroke United States Bob Murphy, South Africa Gary Player
9 Nov 13, 1994 Golf Magazine Senior Tour Championship (2) 67-73-67-66=273 −15 Playoff United States Jim Albus
10 Apr 16, 1995 PGA Seniors' Championship 70-70-67-70=277 −11 5 strokes United States John Paul Cain, United States Larry Gilbert,
United States Lee Trevino
11 Aug 13, 1995 Burnet Senior Classic 68-65-68=201 −15 1 stroke Australia Graham Marsh
12 Nov 5, 1995 Emerald Coast Classic 69-66=135[a] −7 Playoff United States Tom Wargo
13 Jul 14, 1996 Ford Senior Players Championship 71-66-65-73=275 −14 2 strokes United States Hale Irwin
14 Jul 16, 2000 Ford Senior Players Championship (2) 71-67-69-66=273 −15 1 stroke United States Larry Nelson, United States Dana Quigley

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (3–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1994 The Tradition United States Dale Douglass Won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1994 Golf Magazine Senior Tour Championship United States Jim Albus Won with birdie on fifth extra hole
3 1995 Royal Caribbean Classic United States J. C. Snead Lost to par on first extra hole
4 1995 Emerald Coast Classic United States Tom Wargo Won with birdie on third extra hole

Other senior wins (12)

[edit]

Major championships

[edit]

Wins (4)

[edit]
Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner(s)-up
1969 PGA Championship 5 shot lead −8 (69-66-67-74=276) 1 stroke South Africa Gary Player
1976 Masters Tournament 8 shot lead −17 (65-66-70-70=271) 8 strokes United States Ben Crenshaw
1982 PGA Championship (2) 5 shot lead −8 (63-69-68-72=272) 3 strokes United States Lanny Wadkins
1986 U.S. Open 3 shot deficit −1 (75-68-70-66=279) 2 strokes United States Chip Beck, United States Lanny Wadkins

Results timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament CUT T8 CUT T7 T36
U.S. Open T14 T6 WD T38 T13
The Open Championship T34
PGA Championship T57 T17 T18 T20 T41 1
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Masters Tournament CUT T13 CUT 54 T22 T30 1 T8 T16 T17
U.S. Open T22 8 CUT 16 T15 T12 13 T47 T12 CUT
The Open Championship CUT T23 4 8 T2 T36
PGA Championship T8 CUT T4 T35 T11 T10 T2 T40 T50 T62
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Masters Tournament T17 T8 T7 T4 T15 T2 CUT CUT T11 T38
U.S. Open T47 T37 T49 T13 T52 T23 1 T43 T17 T26
The Open Championship T3 T15 T14 CUT T16 T17 CUT T42
PGA Championship T17 T19 1 T20 T13 CUT CUT T14 T9 T46
Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Masters Tournament 2 T17 2 T11 T10 T17 T25 CUT CUT T38
U.S. Open CUT T8 T44 T7 T36
The Open Championship T39 CUT T12 T34 T58
PGA Championship T49 T7 T48 CUT T61
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Masters Tournament CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1984 Open Championship)
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 1 3 0 5 11 22 45 27
U.S. Open 1 0 0 1 5 16 31 26
The Open Championship 0 1 1 3 4 10 20 16
PGA Championship 2 1 0 4 8 17 31 27
Totals 4 5 1 13 28 65 127 96
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 24 (1972 PGA – 1979 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1976 Open Championship – 1977 Masters)

The Players Championship

[edit]

Wins (1)

[edit]
Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runners-up
1981 Tournament Players Championship 6 shot deficit −3 (72-74-71-68=285) Playoff United States Barry Jaeckel, United States Curtis Strange

Results timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
The Players Championship T24 T21 T12 T13 CUT T14 CUT 1 T22 T23 T12 T33 T21 CUT DQ CUT CUT
  Win

CUT = missed the halfway cut
DQ = disqualified
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Champions Tour major championships

[edit]

Wins (4)

[edit]
Year Championship Winning score Margin Runner(s)-up
1994 The Tradition −17 (65-70-68-68=271) Playoff1 United States Dale Douglass
1995 PGA Seniors' Championship −11 (70-70-67-70=277) 5 strokes United States John Paul Cain, United States Larry Gilbert, United States Lee Trevino
1996 Ford Senior Players Championship −13 (71-66-65-73=275) 2 strokes United States Hale Irwin
2000 Ford Senior Players Championship (2) −15 (71-67-69-66=273) 1 stroke United States Larry Nelson, United States Dana Quigley

1Floyd birdied the first extra hole.[27]

U.S. national team appearances

[edit]

Professional

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

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

Raymond Floyd

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Raymond Loran Floyd (born September 4, 1942) is an American retired professional golfer renowned for his four major championship victories and a career spanning over four decades on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. Learned the game from his father, a club professional, Floyd briefly attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1961. Born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, his major wins include the 1969 PGA Championship at age 26, the 1976 Masters Tournament, the 1982 PGA Championship, and the 1986 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, where he overcame a challenging final round to secure the title. Floyd amassed 22 victories on the between 1963 and 1992, earning him the PGA Rookie of the Year award in 1963 and the for lowest scoring average in 1983. He was a key figure in eight teams from 1969 to 1993, captaining the U.S. squad in 1989, and served as an assistant captain in 2008. Transitioning to the Champions Tour in 1990, Floyd won 14 events, including four senior majors, and became the first player to win on both the and Champions Tour in the same year in 1992. At age 49, he secured his final win at the 1992 Doral-Ryder Open, marking him as one of the oldest winners in tour history. Throughout his career, Floyd compiled over 60 professional victories worldwide and earned approximately $15 million in prize money on the and Champions Tour, establishing himself as a model of durability and precision in professional . His contributions to the sport were recognized with induction into the in 1989, as well as halls of fame in (1981) and . Floyd officially retired from competitive play in 2010, leaving a legacy as one of 's most accomplished and respected competitors.

Early life and amateur career

Early life and education

Raymond Loran Floyd was born on September 4, 1942, in Fort Bragg, , to L.B. Floyd, a career U.S. Army officer and golf professional, and his wife. His father served in the Army, including time at Fort Bragg where he managed the Stryker Golf Course and served as the golf pro for the enlisted men's course. Floyd spent much of his childhood on military bases, primarily at Fort Bragg, where his father's role immersed the family in the world of golf from an early age. L.B. Floyd introduced his son to the sport, fostering a passion that shaped young Raymond's development amid the frequent relocations typical of Army life. Following L.B. Floyd's retirement from the Army, the family relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where his father purchased and expanded the Green Valley Country Club in the mid-1950s and later co-founded Cypress Lakes Golf Course in 1968. In Fayetteville, Floyd attended and graduated from Fayetteville High School (now Terry Sanford High School) in 1960, excelling in both golf and baseball during his high school years and even receiving a professional baseball pitching offer. Floyd enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1961 to study business but departed after one semester to pursue a professional golf career, turning pro in September of that year.

Amateur achievements

Floyd's amateur career flourished in his late teens, with notable success in regional competitions that showcased his precision and competitive edge, earning him recognition as a rising star in American amateur golf. Floyd represented the U.S. in the 1961 at Peachtree Golf Club, contributing to the team's decisive 11–3 victory over Great Britain and Ireland. Over his high school and brief college years, he achieved multiple titles in state and regional events, solidifying his status as one of the top amateurs in the U.S. by the early and paving the way for his professional transition. His family's support, with his father L.B. Floyd serving as the golf professional at Fort Bragg, provided early access to the sport that fueled these accomplishments.

Professional career

PGA Tour years

Raymond Floyd turned professional in September 1961 at the age of 19, following a brief stint at the University of North Carolina, but his early foray into professional golf was marked by challenges as he missed nine of his first ten cuts while competing in PGA Tour events starting in 1963. To build experience, he honed his skills on mini-tours and through qualifiers before securing a more stable footing on the main circuit. His first full season in 1963 culminated in a breakthrough victory at the St. Petersburg Open Invitational, his 11th Tour start, signaling steady improvement and earning him Rookie of the Year honors. Floyd developed a reputation as a performer under pressure, particularly excelling in putting and chipping, which allowed him to navigate tight situations effectively throughout his career. His intense focus, often manifested in a piercing stare that intimidated opponents and became a hallmark of his on-course demeanor, contributed to his in high-stakes moments. During the competitive , he engaged in notable rivalries with dominant figures such as , , and , forming part of an era defined by intense battles among top talents. His consistent play during this decade included frequent top-10 finishes, positioning him as a perennial contender and leading to considerations for the for low scoring average, though he ultimately claimed it in 1983. Floyd's career peaked in the majors during the 1970s and early 1980s, with victories serving as pivotal turning points that elevated his status among golf's elite. Over nearly three decades on the , which concluded with his final victory in 1992, Floyd amassed total earnings surpassing $5 million on the Tour, reflecting a trajectory of resilience and excellence.

Senior Tour years

Floyd joined the Senior PGA Tour—now known as —in 1992 upon turning 50 years old on September 4. He made an immediate impact despite the transition from the regular , securing three victories in his rookie season and becoming the first player to win on both tours in the same . This success highlighted his seamless adaptation to the senior field, where his major-winning experience from four championships proved valuable in maintaining competitiveness. Throughout the 1990s, Floyd remained a consistent performer, regularly ranking among the top earners on the tour's money list and earning over $9.4 million in official across his senior career. His emphasis on a precise , a hallmark of his overall style, allowed him to thrive against a field of seasoned veterans. Floyd continued competing well into his 60s, participating in events until 2010 when he announced his from professional to prioritize family and his course design endeavors. Following his competitive , he contributed to the tour through exhibitions and served as an ambassador, drawing on his legacy to promote the senior circuit.

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins (22)

Floyd's PGA Tour career spanned nearly three decades, during which he claimed 22 official victories, showcasing his consistency and clutch performance in high-stakes events. His debut win marked him as one of the youngest champions in tour history at age 20, while his later triumphs included multiple majors and demonstrated longevity, with his final victory coming at age 49. These successes contributed significantly to his reputation as a resilient competitor on the regular tour before transitioning to senior play. The following table lists all 22 PGA Tour wins in chronological order, including tournament details and venue locations. Notable aspects, such as margins of victory for select events, are included where they highlight key performances.
YearTournamentVenue
1963St. Petersburg Open InvitationalSt. Petersburg Country Club, St. Petersburg, FL (won by 1 stroke over Dave Marr)
1965St. Paul Open InvitationalOlympic Village Golf Course, St. Paul, MN
1969Greater Jacksonville OpenHidden Hills Country Club, Jacksonville, FL
1969American Golf ClassicFirestone Country Club (South Course), Akron, OH
1969PGA ChampionshipNCR Country Club (South Course), Dayton, OH (won by 1 stroke over Gary Player and Dave Hill)
1975Kemper OpenQuail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC
1976Masters TournamentAugusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA (won by 8 strokes over Ben Crenshaw)
1976World Open Golf ChampionshipPinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst, NC
1977Byron Nelson Golf ClassicLas Colinas Country Club, Irving, TX
1977Pleasant Valley ClassicPleasant Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA
1979Greater Greensboro OpenSedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, NC (wire-to-wire victory)
1980Doral-Eastern OpenDoral Country Club (Blue Course), Doral, FL
1981Doral-Eastern OpenDoral Country Club (Blue Course), Doral, FL
1981Tournament Players ChampionshipTPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (first sudden-death playoff win in event history)
1981Manufacturers Hanover Westchester ClassicWestchester Country Club (West Course), Harrison, NY
1982Memorial TournamentMuirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH
1982Danny Thomas Memphis ClassicColonial Country Club, Memphis, TN
1982PGA ChampionshipSouthern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, OK (won by 3 strokes over Lanny Wadkins)
1985Houston OpenWoodforest Country Club, Houston, TX
1986U.S. OpenShinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, NY (won by 2 strokes over Lanny Wadkins and Chip Beck)
1986Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile ClassicWalt Disney World Golf Resort (Magnolia Course), Lake Buena Vista, FL
1992Doral-Ryder OpenDoral Country Club (Blue Course), Doral, FL (oldest winner at age 49 years, 6 months)
Among these, Floyd's major championship victories in 1969, 1976, 1982, and 1986 stand out for their historical significance, each secured through precise play under pressure. His 1976 Masters win remains one of the tournament's largest margins, underscoring his dominant ball-striking that year. Additionally, the 1979 Greater Greensboro Open highlighted his ability to lead from start to finish, a rare wire-to-wire performance on the tour.

Other professional wins (15)

Floyd's professional victories outside the PGA Tour spanned international circuits, Latin American events, and unofficial competitions, demonstrating his adaptability and competitive edge on global stages. These 15 wins, achieved during his regular career before turning 50, included triumphs in , , , and team formats, often against strong fields of international talent. They contributed to his overall total of 63 professional victories and helped solidify his status as one of golf's most accomplished players worldwide. One of his early international successes came in 1978 at the Open, where he posted a total of 277 (−7) at the Golf Club, defeating Argentina's Vicente and Scotland's by five strokes to claim the title on the Latin American circuit. The following year, Floyd won the Open, further establishing his presence in Central American golf. In 1981, he captured the at Westmount Golf & Country Club in , beating a field that included top North American professionals. Floyd also excelled in high-profile international match play and stroke play events. In 1982, he won the Sun City Golf Challenge in , finishing at 280 (−8) at the Country Club to edge out competitors in a lucrative that drew the world's best. His 1988 victory in the Skins Game, an unofficial U.S. event, saw him secure eight skins worth $240,000 against rivals like and , highlighting his short-game prowess. Later, in 1992, Floyd triumphed at the Grand Slam in Japan, posting 197 (−19) at Oak Hills Country Club to win on the just before transitioning to senior play. Team events added to his tally, showcasing his collaborative success. In 1985, Floyd paired with to win the Chrysler Team Championship at Preston Trail Golf Club in , defeating other pro-am pairs in a unique format. In 1990, he teamed with to claim the RMCC Invitational, a charity event that pitted top players against each other. The following table summarizes select other professional wins, focusing on key international and unofficial victories with details on dates, locations, and margins or opponents:
YearTournamentLocationDetails
1978Brazil OpenSão Paulo, 277 (−7), 5-stroke victory over Vicente Fernández and Steve Martin
1979Costa Rica OpenCariari Country Club, Stroke-play victory on Latin American circuit
1981Canadian PGA ChampionshipWestmount Golf & Country Club, , Defeated field including Lanny Wadkins and Dan Halldorson
1982Sun City Golf ChallengeGary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa280 (−8), multi-round stroke play win
1985Chrysler Team Championship (w/ Hal Sutton)Preston Trail Golf Club, Dallas, TX, USATeam format victory over pro-am pairs
1988Skins GameDesert Mountain Club, Scottsdale, AZ, USA8 skins won, $240,000 purse against Nicklaus, Trevino, and Ballesteros
1990RMCC Invitational (w/ Fred Couples)Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, MI, USATeam win in charity pro-am event
1992Fuji Electric Grand SlamOak Hills Country Club, Chiba, 197 (−19), 3-stroke win on

Senior professional wins

Champions Tour wins (14)

Raymond Floyd enjoyed immediate success on the Champions Tour upon turning 50 in 1992, securing 14 official victories over the next eight years and establishing himself as one of the tour's dominant players during its early modern era. His wins spanned a range of events, including four majors, and showcased his continued competitive edge into his 50s and 60s, with consistent low scoring and performances under pressure. Floyd's senior career earnings exceeded $10 million, reflecting his impact on the tour's growth and popularity. Floyd's first Champions Tour victory came at the 1992 North Classic, where he shot a tournament-record-tying 17-under-par 199 to win by 2 strokes and become the first player to claim titles on both the and Champions Tour in the same calendar year. Later that year, he captured the Senior Classic with a final-round 9-under 62, setting a tournament record at 18-under 195 and earning $90,000 from the $600,000 purse. He capped his rookie season by winning the Senior by five strokes, closing with a 7-under 65 for a 19-under 197 total and a $150,000 winner's share from the $1 million event. In 1993, Floyd won the Invitational by five strokes with a 22-under 194 total, earning $82,500 and demonstrating his precision on the Indian Wells Golf Resort layout. He followed with the Northville Classic, tying the course record with a final-round 65 to finish at 8-under 208, two strokes ahead of the field, and claiming $82,500 from the $550,000 purse. Floyd's 1994 season included a playoff victory at , where he defeated Dale Douglass with a birdie on the second extra hole after both finished at 17-under 271, securing $150,000 and his first senior major. The year 1995 saw Floyd win four times, highlighted by the PGA Seniors' Championship, his second senior major, where he finished five strokes ahead at 11-under 277 to earn $180,000. He also took the Burnet Senior Classic by one stroke at 15-under 201 for $165,000, the Classic via playoff over Tom Wargo at 7-under 135, pocketing $150,000, and the Lexus Challenge by three strokes at 17-under 127 for $180,000. In 1996, Floyd won the with a two-stroke win at 13-under 275 over , earning $225,000 from the major event at TPC . Floyd's final Champions Tour victory came in 2000 at the , where he birdied three of the last four holes in a 6-under 66 to finish at 15-under 273, one stroke ahead of and , and claimed $345,000 at age 57.

Other senior wins (12)

In addition to his official Champions Tour victories, Raymond Floyd secured 12 notable non-official senior wins between 1992 and 2006, encompassing individual exhibitions, team competitions, and international events that highlighted his enduring competitiveness on the senior circuit. Floyd's dominance in senior Skins Games was particularly striking, where he captured the top prize in five consecutive editions from 1994 to 1998, amassing substantial earnings through high-stakes hole-by-hole play against legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Hale Irwin. In the 1994 Senior Skins Game at Mauna Lani Resort in Hawaii, Floyd earned 8 skins worth $240,000 after a strong back-nine performance that included a sudden-death playoff win for a $70,000 hole. He defended his title in 1995 at the same venue, claiming 14 skins for a tournament-record $420,000, highlighted by a birdie on the 17th hole worth $290,000. The 1996 event saw Floyd secure another 8 skins for $240,000, extending his streak with consistent birdie-making under pressure. In 1997, he won his fourth straight title with 8 skins valued at $210,000, including a bonus hole payout. Floyd capped the run in 1998 by taking 11 skins for $300,000, outpacing Irwin and shutting out Nicklaus entirely. These victories underscored his putting prowess and mental fortitude in the format's escalating prize structure, where individual holes could exceed $100,000. Floyd also excelled in select international and invitational events. His senior career began with a win at the 1992 Fuji Electric Grand Slam in , an unofficial money event at Oak Hills Country Club, where he finished at 19-under-par 197 to claim $67,669, seven strokes ahead of —this marked his debut senior triumph just before turning 50. In 1995, he won the Senior Slam of Golf at Cabo del Sol in , an invitational for recent senior major champions, posting a 5-under 139 over 36 holes for $250,000. He repeated in the 1996 Senior Slam with a final-round 65 to win by three strokes at Cabo Real GC in Los Cabos, . Team events further bolstered Floyd's senior resume, often pairing him with fellow icons or family. Representing the Senior PGA Tour, he teamed with Jack Nicklaus and Chi-Chi Rodríguez to win the 1993 Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge at Three Kings Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, defeating PGA and LPGA squads for a shared $450,000 purse. In 1995, Floyd joined Nicklaus and Hale Irwin to capture the event again at Innisbrook Resort, posting a team total of 18-under to secure another portion of the $450,000 prize. In 1994, he triumphed in the inaugural Diners Club Matches at PGA West, partnering with Dave Eichelberger to defeat Nicklaus and Palmer 1-up in the final for $200,000 shared. Floyd's final other senior win came in 2006 at the Champions Skins Game in , , where he and partner won 10 skins worth a record $510,000, edging Nicklaus and Tom Watson; this victory brought his total Skins Game successes to six across formats. These achievements complemented his official record by showcasing versatility in exhibition and collaborative play.

Major championships

Wins (4)

Floyd won his first major championship at the 1969 , held August 14–17 at NCR in . At age 26, he led wire-to-wire with rounds of 69-66-67-74 for a total of 8-under-par 276, winning by one stroke over . Floyd built a five-stroke lead after 54 holes before a final-round 74 secured the victory and $25,000 prize. His aggressive play on the par-70 layout, including a course-record 66 in the second round, marked his emergence as a major contender. Key moments included birdies on several par-5s, showcasing his power off the tee.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
169-1-1
266-4-5
367-3-8
474+4-8 (276)
Floyd claimed his second major at the 1976 , April 8–11 at in . Aged 33, he dominated with rounds of 65-66-70-70 for 17-under-par 271, winning by eight strokes over and tying the tournament record at the time. Floyd led by nine after 54 holes, and his final-round 70 featured steady pars despite pressure. The performance, including birdies on all four par-5s in the opening rounds, earned $40,000 and highlighted his precision on the 7,040-yard course. A notable 30-foot birdie putt on the 15th in round two propelled his lead.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
165-7-7
266-6-13
370-2-15
470-2-17 (271)
In the 1982 at in (August 12–15), Floyd, then 39, opened with a tournament-record 63 featuring nine birdies in 10 holes from the 6th through the 14th. He followed with 69-68-72 for 8-under 272, winning by three strokes over and claiming $45,000. Despite a bogey-filled final round, his early lead proved insurmountable on the challenging 7,130-yard course. This repeat PGA title demonstrated his resilience, with a chip-in birdie on the 10th in round one setting the tone.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
163-7-7
269-1-8
368-2-10
472+2-8 (272)
Floyd's final major victory occurred at the 1986 U.S. Open, June 12–15 at in . At 43 years and 9 months, he became the oldest U.S. Open winner, firing a final-round 66 to overcome a three-stroke deficit to and finish at 1-under 279, two strokes ahead of and Chip Beck. Rounds of 75-68-70 set up the comeback, highlighted by bogey-free and birdies on 16 and 17 in the finale for $72,000. His short game mastery on the windy, 6,926-yard links-style course, including a 20-foot par save on 18, epitomized his clutch performance.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
175+5+5
268-2+3
3700+3
466-4-1 (279)

Results timeline

Floyd competed in the major championships from to 1994, accumulating over 100 appearances, 4 wins, and numerous top-10 finishes. His results timeline below summarizes key performances; full details available on the website. "DNP" = did not play, "CUT" = missed cut, "WD" = withdrew, "T" = tied.
Tournament19621963196419651966196719681969
MastersDNPT39CUTT21DNPT20DNPT11
U.S. OpenCUTCUTDNPT40T2T44T8T11
The OpenDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP
PGADNPDNPDNPDNPT13T12T181
Tournament19701971197219731974197519761977
MastersT42DNPT8DNPDNPT61T15
U.S. OpenT5DNPDNPDNPT4T24DNPDNP
The OpenDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPT23T6
PGAT3T10T3T7T22DNPT4T10
Tournament19781979198019811982198319841985
MastersT6T5T13T17T27T20CUTT21
U.S. OpenT17DNPDNPDNPT28DNPT6T48
The OpenT2DNPDNPT38DNPDNPT35DNP
PGAT19T44T5T41T13T3T2
Tournament198619871988198919901991199219931994
MastersT2T21CUTT21T2DNPT5DNPDNP
U.S. Open1T19CUTDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP
The OpenDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP
PGAT8T7T61CUTDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP
Win: 1 = won; T2 = tied for second place.

Summary

Raymond Floyd amassed over 100 appearances in major championships across his professional career, securing 4 victories, 23 top-10 finishes, and 42 top-25 finishes. His consistency in these elite events underscored his status as one of golf's enduring competitors, with strong performances spanning multiple decades. Floyd's best finishes varied by major, highlighted by a victory at the in 1976, a victory at the U.S. Open in 1986 (lost a playoff for second in 1990), a tied for second at in 1978, and wins at the in both 1969 and 1982. These achievements demonstrated his adaptability to diverse course conditions and competitive pressures in golf's most prestigious tournaments. He exhibited particular dominance during the , recording 1 major win and 12 top-10 finishes in that decade alone, while his final major triumph came at age 43 in the 1986 U.S. Open, marking one of the latest victories in major history for a player of that age. Excluding the dominant "Big Three" of , , and from his era, Floyd ranks among the top 10 golfers in major championship wins.

The Players Championship

Win (1)

Raymond Floyd captured his only title in 1981 at Sawgrass Country Club in , marking the event's final year at that venue before moving to . Entering the final round six shots behind leader , Floyd posted a 4-under-par 68 to tie Jaeckel and at 3-under 285 after 72 holes, forcing the tournament's first sudden-death playoff. On the extra hole (the par-4 15th), all three players drove into the left rough amid 30 mph winds, but Floyd recovered with a precise 6-iron from the to 10 feet and sank the par putt to secure the victory, while Jaeckel and Strange missed birdie attempts from 12 feet. The tournament, with a total purse of $440,000—the largest on the at the time—highlighted Floyd's renowned prowess, particularly in challenging windy conditions that plagued the playoff and contributed to the difficult setup at Sawgrass Country Club, known for its water hazards and undulating terrain. Floyd earned $72,000 for the win, plus a $200,000 bonus for consecutive victories on the Tour's swing, boosting his season earnings significantly. This triumph, the first of three wins for Floyd in , underscored his consistency and ability to perform under pressure at age 38. Often regarded as the "fifth major" due to its elite field and prestige, the 1981 Players Championship victory further cemented Floyd's status as one of the decade's top players, paving the way for additional major successes in the 1980s.

Champions Tour major championships

Wins (4)

Floyd's first senior major victory came at the 1994 Tradition, held April 1-3 at the Cochise Course at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona. At age 51, he led wire-to-wire, opening with a 7-under-par 65 that included birdies on five of the first eight holes, followed by a 2-under 70 and a 4-under 68 in the third round to hold a one-stroke lead entering the final day. In the fourth round, Floyd posted another 68, finishing at 17-under-par 271, matched by Dale Douglass who fired a 6-under 66. On the first playoff hole (par-4 18th), Floyd stuck his approach to 10 feet and made the birdie putt to secure the win, earning $127,500 and marking his first Champions Tour major title. His disciplined play, avoiding major trouble on the 6,869-yard layout, showcased the precision that defined his career, with key moments including a 20-foot birdie on the par-3 7th in the opener and steady par saves in the playoff pressure.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
165-7-7
270-2-9
368-4-13
468-4-17 (271)
Floyd defended his strong form in the 1995 , played April 13-16 at PGA National Golf Club in . Aged 52, he carded rounds of 67-70-70-70 for a total of 11-under-par 277, winning by five strokes over John Paul Cain, Larry Gilbert, and without facing a serious threat in the final round. Floyd's steady 2-under 70 on featured 14 consecutive pars after an early birdie, slamming the door on challengers as no one broke 70, and he pocketed $108,000 for his second senior major. A pivotal key shot was his precise iron to the par-3 15th green in the final round, setting up a par save that maintained his lead, highlighting his mastery on the demanding Champion Course. This victory came shortly after a runner-up in , solidifying his transition to senior dominance following his last regular win in 1992.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
167-5-5
270-2-7
370-2-9
470-2-11 (277)
In the 1996 at TPC of Michigan in (July 11-14), Floyd, then 53, seized control with a third-round 7-under 65 that gave him a four-stroke lead over . He closed with a 1-over 73 for a 13-under-par 275 total, winning by two strokes despite bogeys on three of the last six holes, as Irwin could only manage a 71. Floyd's $225,000 prize capped a wire-to-wire performance after opening rounds of 71-66, with a standout eagle on the par-5 2nd in the third round from 120 yards that propelled his surge. His resilience under pressure, parring the 18th after a bunker escape, underscored his experience in majors, making this his third senior major triumph.
RoundScoreTo ParCumulative
171-1-1
266-6-7
365-7-14
473+1-13 (275)
Floyd's final senior major came at the 2000 , returning to TPC of ( 13-16), where at age 57 he staged a comeback from six strokes back entering the final round. He fired a 6-under 66, highlighted by birdies on holes 16 and 17—including a 15-foot putt on 17—to finish at 15-under 273, edging and by one stroke for $240,000. Rounds of 71-67-69 set up the charge, with key shots like a to three feet on the par-4 12th in the finale fueling his late run. This repeat victory at the venue demonstrated his enduring competitive edge, as he became the oldest winner of the event at the time and capped his major collection with poise on the 7,018-yard course.

Results timeline

Floyd's performance in the Champions Tour major championships spanned from 1990 to 2005, during which he secured 4 victories and recorded 12 top-10 finishes across these events. His participation was influenced by age eligibility rules, requiring players to be at least 50 years old for full access, though invitations allowed earlier appearances in select tournaments like and the U.S. Senior Open; event rotations and field sizes also varied annually, with maintaining an invitational format throughout. The table below details his finishes, where "DNP" denotes did not play, "CUT" indicates missed cut, and "WD" signifies withdrawal.
YearThe TraditionSenior PGA ChampionshipSenior Players ChampionshipU.S. Senior Open
1990DNPDNPDNPDNP
1991DNPDNPDNPDNP
1992DNPT4DNPT4
1993T3T5T13CUT
19941T10T4T5
1995T31T5T10
1996T6T101T23
1997T2T4T6T6
1998T5CUTT10T10
1999T10T22T13T9
2000T3T91T5
2001T7T19T7T5
2002T13T26T10CUT
2003DNPT32T25DNP
2004DNPDNPCUTDNP
2005DNPDNPDNPDNP
Later in his career, Floyd made occasional appearances with mixed results, including withdrawals due to injury or scheduling, but his early dominance in these majors solidified his legacy on the Champions Tour.

National team appearances

Amateur teams

Floyd's amateur career was marked by strong individual performances, including a victory in the 1960 National Jaycees Open, but he did not represent the in international team competitions such as the Walker Cup.

Professional teams

Floyd represented the in eight competitions as a player, spanning from to , establishing himself as one of the most enduring figures in the event's . His appearances included the 1969 matches at , where he made his debut and contributed to the United States retaining the cup in a 16–16 tie; the 1975 event at ; 1977 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club; 1981 at ; 1983 at PGA National Golf Club; 1985 at ; 1991 at ; and 1993 again at . Over these outings, Floyd compiled an overall record of 12 wins, 16 losses, and 3 halves across 31 matches, reflecting his competitive resilience despite the event's intense pressures. A notable highlight came in his 1969 debut, where the 22-year-old Floyd secured a point in play alongside , helping the U.S. team hold firm in a dramatically tied contest remembered for Jack Nicklaus's famous concession to on the final green. Floyd's tenure also featured five victories in his first five playing appearances (1969, 1975, 1977, 1981, and 1983), underscoring his early success in team formats against and . His style often shone in high-stakes team scenarios, where his unflappable demeanor aided clutch performances under pressure. In 1989, Floyd served as the non-playing captain for the U.S. team at , guiding them to a 14–14 tie but ultimately a loss via the prevailing tiebreaker rule, as Europe retained the cup. Later, in 2008, he returned to the as an assistant captain under at , contributing to a decisive 16.5–11.5 U.S. victory that ended a nine-year . Floyd's professional team involvement remained centered on the , predating the era, which began in 1994 after his competitive playing years.

Personal life

Family

Raymond Floyd married Maria Fraietta in 1973 after a brief , and she became a pivotal figure in his professional life, providing stability and managing aspects of his while offering unwavering support during tournaments. The couple had three children: sons Raymond Jr. and , and daughter Christina. followed in his father's footsteps as a , competing primarily on mini-tours and securing several victories early in his . In 1994, recognized the Floyd family as "Golf Family of the Year" for their deep ties to the sport. Maria was diagnosed with in 2011 and battled the disease for over a year before passing away on September 7, 2012, at age 68, after nearly 39 years of marriage. Throughout her illness, Floyd and their children received substantial emotional support from the community, which continued with an outpouring of tributes following her death, including messages from fellow players and fans that highlighted her influence on the family and the sport. Floyd remarried Jennifer Thompson in 2021, forming a blended family with his grown children who have pursued varied paths while maintaining close ties. The family eventually settled in , where Floyd has long been associated with the Old Palm Golf Club. His early exposure to golf came from his father, L.B. Floyd, a longtime club professional at Fort Bragg, , whose passion for the game profoundly shaped Raymond and extended to his siblings, including sister Marlene, who competed on the Tour.

Later years and philanthropy

Floyd retired from competitive in 2010 at the age of 67, following his 45th appearance at the the previous year. In the years since, he has remained involved in the sport through occasional exhibitions and consultations on course design, including collaborations on TPC in the 1990s and a major renovation of Saltleaf Golf Preserve in , completed in 2023. He has also contributed to updates at TPC Dorado Beach in . Floyd has maintained his well into his 80s, crediting early adoption of structured training programs during his professional career, such as the PGA Tour's traveling gym in the , which helped address back issues and promote overall conditioning. No major health challenges have been publicly reported since 2012. His philanthropic efforts, largely through the Raymond and Maria Floyd Family Foundation established in , focus on youth development and cancer research, inspired by his late wife Maria's battle with , which led to her death in 2012 at age 68. The foundation supports initiatives like the Par 3 Foundation, which promotes junior programs at the Palm Beach Par 3 —a facility Floyd helped renovate—and partners with The First Tee to host events such as the annual Raymond Floyd Open for young participants. In recognition of Maria's illness, the Floyds raised funds for , including a $1 million hole-in-one challenge in 2014 to support research. Floyd has also supported military families, drawing from his father L.B. Floyd's 21-year U.S. Army career, through contributions to The First Tee's military programs and charities like Bunkers in , which brings to U.S. troops overseas. In 2013, Floyd was honored as the Memorial Tournament's player of the year, an award that highlighted his contributions to and . He continues to participate in speaking engagements, sharing insights on and perseverance drawn from his sports . As of , Floyd resides in , with an estimated net worth of $40 million derived from his tournament earnings, endorsements, and design work.

Legacy and honors

Awards and inductions

Floyd received the in 1983 for posting the lowest scoring average on the that season at 70.61 strokes per round, a testament to his precision and consistency during a year that included a victory at the . He also earned the Award in 1983 for the lowest adjusted scoring average, further highlighting his dominance in efficiency among players meeting the minimum round requirements. In recognition of his four major championship victories—the 1969 and 1982 PGA Championships, the 1976 , and the 1986 U.S. Open—along with 22 wins and additional successes on the Champions Tour, Floyd was inducted into the in 1989 at the age of 46. In 1997, he was honored by the Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to and his state's sporting heritage, where he resided and trained extensively. Earlier, in 1981, Floyd's achievements as a native, including his early professional triumphs and participation, earned him induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Impact on golf

Raymond Floyd's aggressive approach to the short game revolutionized scoring strategies for many players, emphasizing bold recoveries from difficult lies around the greens rather than conservative play. His techniques, detailed in instructional works like The Elements of Scoring, highlighted using lofted clubs with a putting-like to control distance and spin, allowing for precise up-and-downs under pressure. This style contributed to his reputation as a scoring machine, particularly in majors, where he demonstrated exceptional by maintaining composure during high-stakes moments, such as his wire-to-wire 1982 victory and comeback 1986 U.S. Open win at age 43. Floyd's performances in the majors fostered the "clutch gene" narrative, portraying him as a performer who thrived when the pressure intensified, influencing how golfers approached critical situations. Beyond his playing career, Floyd extended his influence through and leadership. He guided his son , who turned professional in 1997 and competed on the , by sharing insights from his own experiences, including competing together in the Father-Son Challenge where they secured victories in 2000 and 2001. In the , Floyd served as an assistant captain in 2008 under , leading a "pod" of players that included veterans like and rookies like ; his role in implementing the pod system—dividing the into smaller units for focused strategy and motivation—was instrumental in the U.S. 's triumphant 16.5-11.5 win at , a format credited with restoring American competitiveness. He reprised the assistant role in 2014 under Tom Watson, drawing on his eight appearances as a player and his 1989 captaincy to advise on match pairings and mental preparation. Floyd's legacy bridges the eras of traditionalists and the modern professional game, with victories spanning four decades—a feat shared only with —showcasing adaptability amid evolving equipment and competition. His 22 wins, including four majors, rank him among the tour's historical elite, while his overall over 60 professional victories underscore his enduring success across tours. Floyd's long-term endorsement with , using their clubs throughout much of his career, promoted reliable iron play and influenced equipment choices for aspiring pros. In golf course architecture, Floyd contributed designs that blended strategic challenge with playability, creating over a dozen layouts including the restoration of Doral's famed Blue Monster and the rolling, wooded in , which emphasizes natural terrain for tactical shot-making. Culturally, Floyd's intense on-course demeanor—epitomized by his piercing "stare" before shots—became iconic in media portrayals, symbolizing unflinching focus and earning him features in outlets like for his gritty persona. ranked him 40th among the top 50 players of the last 50 years in 2024, recognizing his consistent excellence and major triumphs as pivotal to the sport's evolution.

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  36. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jan/27/floyd-wins-senior-skins-title/
  37. https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1998/01/26/floyd-wins-5th-senior-skins/50583482007/
  38. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-29-sp-291-story.html
  39. https://www.where2golf.com/golf-tournaments/results/year/1995/?event_type=03-Seniors&order_by=winner_holder
  40. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2019/04/wendys-3-tour-challenge.html
  41. https://bunkersparadise.com/pga-tour-winners-and-records/wendys-3-tour-challenge-winners-and-records-pga-tour/
  42. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/12/12/palmer-nicklaus-rally-but-fall-on-playoff-hole/
  43. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/golf/2006/02/07/Floyd-Quigley-win-Skins-Game/stories/200602070178
  44. https://www.pgachampionship.com/
  45. https://www.usopen.com/
  46. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2022/11/most-wins-in-major-championships-golf.html
  47. https://www.theplayers.com/past-champions/raymond-floyd-1981
  48. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1981/03/24/floyd-wins-tpc-322000-on-par-in-sudden-death/413bb839-e6a7-427c-863b-502efb77e904/
  49. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/03/24/Veteran-Floyd-can-still-beat-the-youngsters/7572354258000/
  50. https://www.where2golf.com/golf-tournaments/results/year/1995/?category=snr-majors&order_by=winner_holder
  51. https://www.deseret.com/1996/7/15/19254503/first-place-belongs-to-floyd-at-senior-players-championship/
  52. http://www.espn.com/golfonline/tours/s/2000/0716/636420.html
  53. https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/pga/2012/06/04/floyd-won-events-over-four/23836359007/
  54. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2020/05/1969-ryder-cup.html
  55. https://www.rydercup.com/history/1975
  56. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2019/05/1977-ryder-cup.html
  57. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2021/07/most-losses-in-ryder-cup.html
  58. https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/tour/news/raymond-floyd-ryder-cup/
  59. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2020/05/1989-ryder-cup.html
  60. https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/article-randall-mell-floyd-coping-after-loss-wife-maria
  61. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2012/12/16/raymond-floyd-at-father-son/7924014007/
  62. https://www.timesleader.com/archive/1081636/golf-legends-son-becomes-own-man-robert-floyd-has-carved-his-own-niche-inbusiness-and-sport-and-has-no-regrets
  63. https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/news/2012/09/11/maria-floyd-wife-golf-great/9669164007/
  64. https://www.27east.com/southampton-press/maria-floyd-of-southampton-and-palm-beach-dies-september-7-1465781/
  65. https://marketrealist.com/p/raymond-floyd-net-worth-golfer/
  66. https://www.lpga.com/athletes/marlene-floyd/80612/bio
  67. https://archive.nytimes.com/onpar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/floyd-a-year-after-his-45th-masters-announces-his-retirement/
  68. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8605868.stm
  69. https://troon.com/press-releases/saltleaf-golf-preserve-honored-by-editors-of-golfpass
  70. https://golf.com/travel/travel-tpc-dorado-beach/
  71. https://starkcenter.org/igh/igh-v3/igh-v3-n3/igh0303e.pdf
  72. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/311670102
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  75. https://firstteefloridagoldcoast.org/chapter-students-play-in-the-12th-annual-raymond-floyd-open/
  76. https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/palm-beach-community-honors-david-koch-and-maria-floyd.h00-158905389.html
  77. https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/md-anderson-ray-floyds-1-million-hole-one-236398/
  78. http://firsttee.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2015AnnualReviewContributorsInsert_FINAL.pdf
  79. https://golf.com/news/bunkers-in-baghdad/
  80. https://www.sportsspeakers360.com/speaker/raymond-floyd.php
  81. https://www.psacard.com/autographfacts/golf/ray-floyd/1296
  82. https://www.ncpedia.org/north-carolina-sports-hall-fame
  83. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2014/02/12/raymond-floyd-ryder-cup-2014-tough-tom-watson-rude/
  84. https://www.northmyrtlebeachgolf.com/course-architects/ray-floyd.html
  85. https://www.golfthelegacy.com/aboutus/
  86. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/top-5o-players-seasons-of-the-players-championship-era
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