This week, the world of golf lost an absolute legend in the sport as Don January has died at the age of 93 years old, the PGA Tour announced on Sunday.
January member of two victorious U.S. Ryder Cup teams (1965 and 1977) and was the winner of the 1967 PGA championship which is perhaps his best-known victory. His only major win came at the Columbine Country Club in Denver when he tied Don Massengale at the end of regulation play and shot a 69 to beat him by two shots in an 18-hole playoff the following day.
A native of Texas, January won four straight NCAA Division I titles (1949-52) as a member of the North Texas University men’s golf team. After serving in the Air Force, he turned professional and embarked on a successful career. He won 1o times on the PGA Tour and was a runner-up 17 times. In 1976, he secured the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average, at the age of 47.
January had a lot of success on the PGA Tour Champions after turning 50. He won 22 events, which included two PGA Seniors’ Championships. His last victory came in 1987.
Those in the golf world mourned the death of January on social media:
Don January passed today….what an outstanding player and man….I loved the guy #smooth
— mark lye (@letitflye) May 7, 2023
[PGA Tour]