Bob Charles (golfer) explained

Sir Bob Charles
Fullname:Robert James Charles
Birth Date:14 March 1936
Birth Place:Carterton, New Zealand
Weight:79kg (174lb)
Residence:Florida, U.S.
Canterbury, New Zealand
Children:2
Yearpro:1960
Extour:PGA Tour
European Tour
PGA Tour of Australia
New Zealand Golf Circuit
Champions Tour
European Seniors Tour
Prowins:80
Pgawins:6
Eurowins:4
Champwins:25 (Tied-4th all-time)
Seneurowins:1
Otherwins:32 (regular)
13 (senior)
Majorwins:1
Masters:T15: 1963
Usopen:3rd/T3: 1964, 1970
Open:Won: 1963
Pga:T2: 1968
Wghofid:sir-bob-charles
Wghofyear:2008
Award1:New Zealand Golf Circuit
money list winner
Year1:1966, 1967, 1968–69,
1971–72, 1973–74,
1978–79
Award2:Senior PGA Tour
money list winner
Year2:1988, 1989
Award3:Senior PGA Tour
Byron Nelson Award
Year3:1988, 1989, 1993

Sir Robert James Charles (born 14 March 1936) is a New Zealand professional golfer who won the 1963 Open Championship, the first left-handed player to win a major championship. He won the 1954 New Zealand Open as an 18-year-old amateur and made the cut in the same event in 2007, at the age of 71. His achievements over that period, in which he won 80 tournaments, rank him as one of the most successful New Zealand golfers of all time. He is, along with Michael Campbell, one of only two New Zealanders to win a men's major golf championship.

Charles turned professional in late 1960 and for the next two years had some success in tournaments around the world. From 1963 until the mid-1970s he played mostly on the PGA Tour. He won 5 times on the tour and finished in the top-60 on the money list each year from 1963 to 1971, except 1966, and again in 1974. Later he played more on the European Tour before joining the Senior PGA Tour when he reached 50. He was very successful on the Senior PGA Tour with 23 titles between 1987 and 1996, and winning over $9 million between 1986 and 2008. In Britain, Charles won the 1963 Open Championship and the Senior British Open twice, in 1989 and 1993. These were later added as official wins on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour. In addition to his PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour wins, Charles won 9 times in Europe, including the 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, and 25 times in domestic New Zealand tournaments. He also won a number of other seniors events around the world, including in South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Early life

Born in Carterton, a small town in the Wairarapa district in New Zealand's North Island, Charles lived in Masterton, where he worked as a bank teller, before moving to Christchurch in mid-1956.[1]

Amateur career

Charles came to prominence when he won the New Zealand Open at Wellington Golf Club in November 1954, as an 18-year-old amateur, finishing two strokes ahead of Bruce Crampton and four ahead of Peter Thomson. The event acted as qualification for the New Zealand Amateur which followed immediately after the Open. Charles reached the final but lost 3&2 to Tim Woon, the defending champion, in the 36 hole match.[2] Charles also reached the final of the New Zealand Amateur in October 1956 at Christchurch Golf Club, but lost again, 3&2 to the Tasmanian Peter Toogood.[3] In September 1956 Charles had been a member of the 4-man New Zealand team in the Sloan Morpeth Trophy match against Australia at Wanganui. Australia won the contest but Charles won his singles match.

Charles left New Zealand in January 1958 for a tour of the United States and Britain, travelling with Ian Cromb, and returning in August. They spent the early part of year in America, playing in a number of professional events, ending with the Masters for which Charles had received an invitation. He missed the cut by 8 strokes after rounds of 77 and 80. In Britain, he also played in some professional tournaments. Charles reached the quarter-finals of the Amateur Championship on the Old Course at St Andrews, before losing to Alan Thirlwell, and later finished tied for 9th place in the Brabazon Trophy at Royal Birkdale.[4] He also played in the 1958 Open Championship at Royal Lytham where he qualified after rounds of 74 and 73.[5] He started well in the Championship with a 71 but missed the cut after a second round 79.[6]

Charles was selected for the 4-man New Zealand team for the inaugural Eisenhower Trophy competition on the Old Course at St Andrews in October 1958. New Zealand led by three strokes after 3 of the 4 rounds. However a poor last day left then in fourth place. John Durry took 83, including a 10 at the 14th hole. Charles took 81 and with three of the four scores counting, New Zealand finished three strokes behind the leaders. Despite his poor last round Charles had the best four-round aggregate among the New Zealand team.[7]

Charles played in the 1959 Commonwealth Tournament in Johannesburg. New Zealand finished third of the five teams. Charles was the best of the team with three wins in foursomes matches and three wins in the singles, losing only in the match against South Africa.[8] Charles also played in the 1960 Eisenhower Trophy in the United States. The contest was dominated by the Americans who won by 42 strokes. New Zealand finished fifth, with Charles again the best of the team.

Professional career

In October 1960, Charles turned professional.[9] Soon after turning professional, Charles won a 36-hole event at Queens Park, Invercargill, eight strokes ahead of Kel Nagle. Although he disappointed in the New Zealand Open, he reached the final of the New Zealand PGA Championship losing 5&4 to Nagle.[10] In early 1961, Charles played on the South African circuit. Had a number of good finishes and was runner-up in the Dunlop South African Masters behind Denis Hutchinson.[11] Charles then travelled to Europe. He won the 36-hole Bowmaker Tournament, two strokes ahead of Hutchinson and Nagle, and had a number of top finishes including a tied for 4th place in the Martini International.[12] He led the qualifiers for the 1961 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after rounds of 66 and 70.[13] He started with a 72 but missed the cut after a second round 84, played in difficult conditions.[14] Returning to New Zealand, in October he won the Caltex Tournament, by 4 strokes from Nagle, and then the New Zealand PGA Championship.

Charles played on the 1962 Far East Circuit in February and March. His best performance with joint runner-up in the Malayan Open behind Frank Phillips.[15] He received an invitation for the 1962 Masters Tournament in April. He made the cut and tied for 25th place. Charles then travelled to Europe to play in the British/Irish and Continental circuits, where he had considerable success. He finished third in the Martini International at St Andrews and tied for the win, with Dai Rees, in the Daks Tournament.[16] In the 1962 Open Championship he finished in 5th place, although a distant 14 strokes behind the winner, Arnold Palmer. He was then joint runner-up in the French Open, runner-up in the Irish Hospitals Tournament and joint runner-up in the Royal Gold Tournament, a 12-man round-robin tournament.[17] [18] [19] Returning to the continent he won the Engadine Open in Switzerland, lost a playoff to Max Faulkner in the Woodlawn International Invitational in West Germany, and won the Swiss Open in successive weeks.[20] Returning to New Zealand, he again won the Caltex Tournament ahead of Kel Nagle. Towards the end of the year he played in the Australian Open, finishing tied for third, and then played in the 1962 Canada Cup in Argentina.[21]

From 1963 Charles played mostly on the American PGA Tour. He won his first PGA Tour event in April 1963, the Houston Classic, the first PGA Tour event won by a left-handed golfer.[22] He had three other top-5 finishes and finished the year 27th in the money list with $23,636.[23] [24] In late June he travelled to Britain and was third in the Dunlop Masters.[25] Two weeks later, he won The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. After four rounds (68-72-66-71) his 277 was level with American Phil Rodgers. Charles won the 36-hole playoff by eight shots.[26] Later in the year he played on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, winning the Wattie's Tournament, and competing in the 1963 Canada Cup in Paris.[27]

Charles didn't win on the 1964 PGA Tour but had five top-5 finishes, including a third place finish at the U.S. Open.[24] He finished 17th in the official money list with $28,451.[23] He played relatively few other event but did defend his Open Championship title, finishing tied for 17th, and he played in the Canada Cup in Hawaii. Charles made a good start to the 1965 season. He lost in a playoff for the Lucky International Open, won the Tucson Open and was a runner-up in the Jacksonville Open.[24] Later in the season he had less success and finished 34th in the money list with $28,360.[23] Later in the year he played in some events in Europe, including the Canada Cup in Madrid, and in New Zealand, where he was a runner-up in the New Zealand Open.[28] Charles had a very poor season on the 1966 PGA Tour. His only top-10 finish came towards the end of the season and he only won $8,472, to finish 87th in the official money list.[23] [24] He showed a return to form late in the year, playing well at the 1966 Canada Cup in Japan, and winning four events out of seven on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, including the New Zealand Open which he won by 13 strokes.[29] [30]

Charles showed a return to form in 1967, with eight top-10 finishes on the 1967 PGA Tour, including winning the Atlanta Classic.[24] He finished 11th in the money list with $72,468.[23] He played in the 1967 World Cup in Mexico, the New Zealand pair finishing second behind the United States with Charles finishing joint runner-up in the individual standings, level with Jack Nicklaus and behind Arnold Palmer. He again played on the New Zealand circuit towards the end of year, winning three events, and again being the leading money winner.[31] Charles had another successful season on the 1968 PGA Tour, with a win in the Canadian Open, and six other top-10s in official events.[24] He finished 18th in the money list with $70,926.[23] Two of his top-10 finishes came in the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, and he also finished a joint runner-up in the Open Championship. He made his debut in the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, losing in the final to Gary Player.[32] He played in the 1968 World Cup in Italy, where the New Zealand pair finished seventh. He had three more tournament wins on the 1968–69 New Zealand circuit, including the Spalding Masters which he won by 10 strokes with a score of 260.

Charles didn't win on the PGA in 1969, 1970 or 1971 but continued to have a number of high finishes including 11 top-10 finishes in 1969, 9 in 1970 and 8 in 1971.[24] He finished 30th in money list in 1969 with $59,734, 25th in 1970 with $70,854 and 41st in 1971 with $58,016.[23] Charles won the 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship beating Gene Littler with an eagle at the 37th hole in the final. He lost in playoff for the 1970 Greater New Orleans Open. He had more tournament wins on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the New Zealand Open in late 1970 and three in the 1971–72 season.

1972 and 1973 were relatively poor years on the PGA Tour with just one top-10 finish each season.[24] He finished 97th in the money list in 1972 with $21,809, and 108th in 1973 with $19,499.[33] Despite his lack of success in America, he won a number of tournaments around the world. He won the John Player Classic and the Dunlop Masters on the 1972 European Tour and the Scandinavian Enterprise Open on the tour in 1973. He won the South African Open in early 1973 and the City of Auckland Classic and the New Zealand Open at the end of the year. In 1972 he made his final appearance in the World Cup in Australia. Charles had a better year on the 1974 PGA Tour, winning the Greater Greensboro Open and having three other top-10 finishes.[24] He finished 36th in the money list with $65,226, although $44,000 of that came from his win.[33] He also won the 1974 Swiss Open.

After his relatively successful season on the 1974 PGA Tour, Charles had poor 1975 and 1976 seasons winning $7,226 and $3,769. From 1977 he only played a few events on the tour, leaving the tour in 1984.[24] In 1983 he won the Tallahassee Open, an event on the Tournament Players Series. From 1977 to 1985 he played more frequently on the European Tour. His best year was 1978 when he finished 14th in the Order of Merit. He didn't win on the tour in this period but was runner-up in the 1977 Benson and Hedges International Open, the 1978 Greater Manchester Open and the 1982 Benson and Hedges International Open.[34] Charles also won three events on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the Air New Zealand Shell Open in late 1978 and the New Zealand PGA Championship in early 1979 and in early 1980.

In 2007, at the age of 71, Charles became the oldest golfer to make the cut in a European Tour event, at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open. Charles shot a 68 in the second round, beating his age by three strokes.[35] He had a final round 70 to finish in a tie for 23rd place.[36]

Senior golf

Charles's played on the Senior PGA Tour (now called PGA Tour Champions) after turning 50. He was very successful on the tour with 23 titles between 1987 and 1996, and winning over $9 million on the tour between 1986 and 2008. He was the leading money winner in 1988 and 1989 and led the scoring average in 1988, 1989 and 1993. He won the Senior British Open in 1989 and 1993. From 2002 the Senior British Open was an official event on the PGA Tour Champions but it was only in 2018 that earlier wins were recognised by the PGA Tour Champions as official wins on the tour, increasing Charles's total to 25.[37]

Charles was a regular competitor in the Senior British Open from its founding in 1987. As well as winning twice, he was a runner-up 6 times between 1987 and 2001. During this period he rarely played in European Seniors Tour events but as he had less success in America he played more in European tournaments.[38] Apart from his Senior British Open wins he never won a European senior event, although he finished runner-up in the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters at the age of 71.[38] In addition to his senior wins in America, Charles won a number of other senior events around the world, including South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Golfing awards

Charles was the first left-handed golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the veterans category. He was inducted in 2008.[39]

Personal life

In December 1962, Charles married Verity Joan Aldridge in Johannesburg, South Africa. They met three years previously at the Commonwealth Golf tournament when it was held in South Africa. The golfers Denis Hutchinson and Bobby Verwey served as groomsmen.[40] They had two children, Beverly and David. David is a golf director in the United States. He is a successful golf course designer having had major input into the Formosa Country Club east of Auckland, Millbrook at the resort town of Queenstown, and The Dunes course at Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula. He was also consultant to the Clearwater course, near Christchurch, designed by golf architect John Darby.

Although Charles plays golf left-handed, he is naturally right-handed.[41]

Awards and honors

Professional wins (80)

PGA Tour wins (6)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (5)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
121 Apr 1963Houston Classic−12 (67-66-66-69=268)1 stroke Fred Hawkins
213 Jul 1963The Open Championship−3 (68-72-66-71=277)Playoff Phil Rodgers
321 Feb 1965Tucson Open Invitational−17 (65-69-67-70=271)4 strokes Al Geiberger
41 Oct 1967Atlanta Classic−6 (72-71-69-70=282)2 strokes Tommy Bolt, Richard Crawford,
Gardner Dickinson
523 Jun 1968Canadian Open−6 (70-68-70-66=274)2 strokes Jack Nicklaus
67 Apr 1974Greater Greensboro Open−14 (65-70-67-68=270)1 stroke Raymond Floyd, Lee Trevino

Source:[45]

PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11963The Open Championship Phil RodgersWon 36-hole playoff;
Charles: E (69-71=140),
Rodgers: +8 (72-76=148)
21965Lucky International Open George ArcherLost to birdie on second extra hole
31970Greater New Orleans Open Miller Barber, Howie JohnsonBarber won with birdie on second extra hole

Source:[45] [46] [47]

European Tour wins (4)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
130 Sep 1972John Player Classic+1 (69-69-71-76=285)1 stroke Gay Brewer, Peter Oosterhuis
27 Oct 1972Dunlop Masters−11 (70-68-71-68=277)2 strokes Tony Jacklin
322 Jul 1973Scandinavian Enterprise Open−10 (69-69-70-70=278)2 strokes Vin Baker, Tony Jacklin,
Hedley Muscroft
427 Jul 1974Swiss Open−5 (70-70-67-68=275)1 stroke Tony Jacklin

Source:[48]

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

Source:[49]

Southern Africa Tour wins (1)

Source:[50]

New Zealand Golf Circuit wins (20)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
117 Sep 1963Wattie's Tournament−9 (66-68-67-70=271)3 strokes Bill Dunk
219 Nov 1966New Zealand Open−19 (67-71-65-70=273)13 strokes Guy Wolstenholme
322 Nov 1966Wattie's Tournament (2)−15 (67-66-69-63=265)6 strokes Tony Jacklin
46 Dec 1966Metalcraft Tournament−15 (73-69-66-65=273)3 strokes Clive Clark
511 Dec 1966Forest Products Tournament−16 (72-68-66-66=272)Shared title with Tony Jacklin
621 Nov 1967Wattie's Tournament (3)−8 (70-67-68-67=272)2 strokes Stuart Jones (a)
726 Nov 1967Caltex Tournament−14 (74-67-68-69=278)Shared title with Peter Thomson
82 Dec 1967New Zealand Wills Masters−14 (68-69-69-72=278)Shared title with Martin Roesink
97 Dec 1968Caltex Tournament (2)−16 (65-70-62=197)*10 strokes Tony Mangan, Randall Vines
1010 Dec 1968Wattie's Tournament (4)−6 (68-70-65-71=274)2 strokes Walter Godfrey
114 Jan 1969Spalding Masters−20 (66-62-69-63=260)10 strokes John Lister
1228 Nov 1970New Zealand Open (2)−13 (65-65-71-70=271)10 strokes Graham Marsh
135 Dec 1971Otago Charity Classic−15 (70-67-67-69=273)6 strokes Marty Bohen
1412 Dec 1971Caltex Tournament (3)−10 (68-68-67-71=274)2 strokes Guy Wolstenholme
151 Jan 1972Spalding Masters (2)−10 (67-68-65=200)*2 strokes Guy Wolstenholme
1618 Nov 1973City of Auckland Classic−7 (69-66-71=206)*1 stroke Walter Godfrey
1725 Nov 1973New Zealand Open (3)−5 (72-69-73-69=283)4 strokes Ian Stanley
183 Dec 1978Air New Zealand Shell Open−7 (72-69-73-69=273)1 stroke Graham Marsh
192 Jan 1979New Zealand PGA Championship−3 (72-67-67-71=277)3 strokes Guy Wolstenholme
202 Jan 1980New Zealand PGA Championship (2)−19 (67-63-64-67=261)6 strokes Rodger Davis
*Note: Tournament shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

New Zealand Golf Circuit playoff record (0–1)

Sources:

Tournament Players Series wins (1)

Tournament Players Series playoff record (1–0)

Source:[51]

Other European wins (6)

DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upRef.
27 Jun 1961Bowmaker Tournament66-66=1322 strokes Denis Hutchinson, Kel Nagle[52]
9 Jun 1962Daks Tournament68-68-72-70=278Tied Dai Rees[53]
19 Aug 1962Engadine Open?-?-72-66=2711 stroke Bobby Verwey[54]
1 Sep 1962Swiss Open71-67-67-67=272Playoff Peter Butler, Flory Van Donck[55]
13 Jul 1963The Open Championship68-72-66-71=277Playoff Phil Rodgers[56]
11 Oct 1969Piccadilly World Match Play Championship37 holes Gene Littler[57]

Other New Zealand wins (5)

DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-upRef.
6 Nov 1954New Zealand Open (as an amateur)69-72-68-71=2802 strokes Bruce Crampton[58]
20 Nov 1960Queens Park Invitation66-67=1338 strokes Kel Nagle[59]
7 Oct 1961Caltex Tournament71-71-72-75=2894 strokes Kel Nagle[60]
18 Oct 1961New Zealand PGA Championship10 and 9 Joe Paterson[61]
20 Oct 1962Caltex Tournament69-70-69-69=2775 strokes Kel Nagle[62]

Senior PGA Tour wins (25)

Legend
Senior major championships (2)
Other Senior PGA Tour (23)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
122 Mar 1987Vintage Chrysler Invitational−3 (72-70-73-70=285)4 strokes Butch Baird, Bruce Crampton,
Dale Douglass, Howie Johnson,
Bobby Nichols, Gary Player,
Chi-Chi Rodríguez
229 Mar 1987GTE Classic−8 (67-67-74=208)4 strokes Bruce Crampton
33 May 1987Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic−8 (70-70-68=208)1 stroke Dale Douglass
422 May 1988NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative−14 (63-67-66=196)4 strokes Harold Henning, Don Massengale
529 May 1988Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic (2)−10 (69-68-69=206)2 strokes Orville Moody
64 Jul 1988Rancho Murieta Senior Gold Rush−9 (69-69-69=207)2 strokes Gary Player
728 Aug 1988Bank One Senior Golf Classic−10 (63-66-71=200)1 stroke Dick Hendrickson
82 Oct 1988Pepsi Senior Challenge−5 (70-69=139)*1 stroke Dick Hendrickson, Harold Henning,
Bert Yancey
919 Feb 1989GTE Suncoast Classic−9 (68-70-69=207)Playoff Jim Ferree, Dave Hill,
Harold Henning
1021 May 1989NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative (2)−17 (63-65-65=193)5 strokes Don Bies, Bruce Crampton
119 Jul 1989Digital Seniors Classic-16 (65-70-65=200) 3 strokes Mike Hill
1230 Jul 1989Volvo Seniors' British Open−11 (70-68-65-66=269)7 strokes Billy Casper
1327 Aug 1989Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic (3)−13 (66-69-68=203) 1 stroke
141 Oct 1989Fairfield Barnett Space Coast Classic−13 (66-70-67=203)6 strokes Butch Baird
1524 Jun 1990Digital Seniors Classic (2)−13 (69-67-67=203)2 strokes Lee Trevino
169 Dec 1990GTE Kaanapali Classic−4 (65-71-70=206)4 strokes George Archer, Lee Trevino
1710 Feb 1991GTE Suncoast Classic (2)−6 (68-72-70=210)4 strokes George Archer, Lee Trevino
1811 Oct 1992Raley's Senior Gold Rush (2)−15 (71-65-65=201)7 strokes Gary Player, Chi-Chi Rodríguez
1918 Oct 1992Transamerica Senior Golf Championship−16 (70-67-63=200)1 stroke Dave Stockton
2028 Mar 1993Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic−8 (69-70-69=208)1 stroke Jim Ferree
2123 May 1993Bell Atlantic Classic−6 (67-67-70=204)1 stroke Dave Stockton
2225 Jul 1993Senior British Open (2)+3 (73-73-71-74=291)1 stroke Tommy Horton, Gary Player
235 Sep 1993Quicksilver Classic−9 (74-65-68=207)4 strokes Dave Stockton
2429 Oct 1995Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (2)−9 (69-67-68=204)Playoff Dave Stockton
2527 Oct 1996Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (3)−15 (64-65-69=198)1 stroke Hale Irwin
*Note: The 1988 Pepsi Senior Challenge was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Source:[45]

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–8)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11987PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational Gary PlayerLost to birdie on first extra hole
21988Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am Don Massengale, Orville Moody,
Bobby Nichols
Moody won with birdie on first extra hole
31988U.S. Senior Open Gary PlayerLost 18-hole playoff;
Player: −4 (68),
Charles: −2 (70)
41989GTE Suncoast Classic Jim Ferree, Dave Hill,
Harold Henning
Won with birdie on third extra hole
Ferree and Hill eliminated by birdie on first hole
51989General Tire Las Vegas Classic Charles Coody, Chi-Chi RodríguezCoody won with birdie on second extra hole
61995Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic Dave StocktonWon with birdie on third extra hole
71996Las Vegas Senior Classic Jim Colbert, Dave StocktonColbert won with par on fourth extra hole
Charles eliminated by par on first hole
81998Home Depot Invitational Jim DentLost to par on third extra hole
91998Kroger Senior Classic Hugh Baiocchi, Frank Conner,
Larry Nelson, Bruce Summerhays
Baiocchi won with birdie on second extra hole
102001Senior British Open Ian StanleyLost to par on first extra hole

Source:[45]

European Seniors Tour wins (1)

Legend
Senior major championships (1)
Other European Seniors Tour (0)

European Seniors Tour playoff record (0–1)

Source:[63]

Other senior wins (13)

Source:[72]

Playoff record

PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (0–1)

Major championships

Wins (1)

1Defeated Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff (Charles 69-71=140, Rodgers 72-76=148).

Results timeline

Amateur

Tournament19581959
Masters TournamentCUT
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUT
The Amateur ChampionshipQF

Professional

Tournament1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
Masters TournamentT25T15T40T45CUTCUT19T29
U.S. OpenT193CUTCUTCUTT7CUT
The Open ChampionshipCUT51T17CUTT37CUTT22
PGA ChampionshipT13T19T41T2T35
Tournament1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
Masters Tournament17CUTT22T29CUTCUT
U.S. OpenT3T13CUT11CUT
The Open ChampionshipT13T18T15T7CUTT12CUTT43T48T10
PGA ChampionshipT26T13T58T73
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipT60T35CUTT47WDT19T20
PGA Championship
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUTCUTCUT71CUT
PGA Championship
Tournament20002001
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUTCUT
PGA Championship
CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1976 Open Championship)
WD = withdrew
QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
0 0 0 0 0 5 15 9
0 0 2 2 3 6 12 6
1 2 0 4 6 13 34 20
PGA Championship 0 1 0 1 2 5 9 9
Totals 1 3 2 7 11 29 70 44

Source:[73] [74]

Senior major championships

Wins (2)

YearChampionshipWinning ScoreMarginRunner(s)-up
1989 −11 (70-68-65-66=269)7 strokes Billy Casper
1993 Senior British Open (2) +3 (73-73-71-74=291)1 stroke Tommy Horton, Gary Player

Team appearances

Amateur

Professional

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: R. J. Charles to move to Christchurch . The Press . 28028 . 24 July 1956 . 8 . 6 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  2. News: N.Z. Golf Title to Bruce Crampton . . 11 November 1954 . 12.
  3. News: NZ Open win to Toogood . . Victoria, Australia . 18 October 1956 . 1 November 2020 . 18 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: Brabazon trophy for A. H. Perowne . The Glasgow Herald . 10 . 23 June 1958.
  5. News: Ninety-six qualifiers for Open Championship - Thomson's record aggregate. The Glasgow Herald . 2 July 1958 . 4 .
  6. News: O'Connor's half-way lead of one stroke. The Glasgow Herald . 4 July 1958 . 4 .
  7. Web site: N.Z. fourth In World Amateur Competition . The Press . 28715 . 13 October 1958 . 15 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  8. Web site: N.Z. golf team performed satisfactorily . The Press . 29049 . 11 November 1959 . 11 . 6 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  9. Web site: 26 October 1960 . R. J. Charles becomes professional golfer . 3 November 2023 . 8 . Papers Past . The Press . 29345.
  10. News: Nagle Takes N.Z. Golf Title . . 35 . 9767 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 24 November 1960 . 30 September 2019 . 31 . National Library of Australia.
  11. Web site: Bleomfontein tourney . The Press . 29431 . 6 February 1961 . 14 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  12. News: Hunt's fine form in play-off . The Glasgow Herald . 8 May 1961 . 11.
  13. News: Charles leads qualifiers for Open Championship . Cyril . Horne . The Glasgow Herald . 12 July 1961 . 12.
  14. News: Qualifiers for the last day . The Glasgow Herald . 14 July 1961 . 11.
  15. News: Phillips wins in Malaya . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 26 February 1962 . 28 January 2020 . 16 . Trove.
  16. News: Thomson's record aggregate . The Glasgow Herald . 7 May 1962 . 4.
  17. News: French Open won by A. Murray . The Glasgow Herald . 19 July 1962 . 10.
  18. News: O'Connors Irish hospitals win – Exciting duel with Charles . The Glasgow Herald . 4 . 23 July 1962.
  19. News: Moffitt's easy win in Royal Gold – Certain of success before last round of games . The Glasgow Herald . Cyril . Horne . 13 August 1962 . 4.
  20. News: Faulkner wins £1700 event . The Glasgow Herald . 4 . 27 August 1962.
  21. News: Player says victory one of his greatest . The Age . 5 November 1962 . 18.
  22. Web site: Houston Classic 1963 Champion – Bob Charles . 12 December 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012160542/http://www.shellhoustonopen.com/t_champs.cfm?task=story&ID=18 . 12 October 2007.
  23. Web site: The Tour Book 1972 . 7 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119073951/https://pgatourmedia.pgatourhq.com/static-assets/page/header/files/1972_pgatour.pdf#page=76 . 19 January 2023 . live.
  24. Web site: Bob Charles . PGA Tour . 18 October 2023.
  25. News: Masters title for B. J. Hunt . The Glasgow Herald . 4 . 1 July 1963.
  26. Web site: 1963 Bob Charles . The Open . 18 October 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016164928/http://www.theopen.com/en/History/OpenChampions.aspx#player=Bob+CHARLES . 16 October 2013.
  27. News: Charles wins by three strokes . The Press . 30239 . 18 September 1963 . 8 . 4 March 2023 . Papers Past.
  28. News: Thomson's record eight N.Z. open win . The Press . 30914 . 22 November 1965 . 3 . 4 March 2023 . Papers Past.
  29. News: Charles sweeps to 13-stroke win . The Press . 31222 . 21 November 1966 . 3 . 4 March 2023 . Papers Past.
  30. News: Two 66s on final day to gain fourth victory . The Press . 31240 . 12 December 1966 . 3 . 4 March 2023 . Papers Past.
  31. News: In the money . The Press . 31555 . 18 December 1967 . 30 . 2 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  32. "Player wins close but quiet final at 36th hole". The Times, Monday, 14 October 1968; pg. 12; Issue 57381.
  33. Web site: The PGA Tour Book 1976 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230119073949/https://pgatourmedia.pgatourhq.com/static-assets/page/header/files/1976_pgatour.pdf#page=31 . 19 January 2023 . live.
  34. Web site: Bob Charles . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150910203752/http://www.europeantour.com/seniortour/players/playerid=33/record/index.html . 10 September 2015.
  35. Web site: Bowditch leads as Charles makes history in New Zealand . European Tour . 13 November 2023.
  36. News: Golf: Balance regained as Finch wins title . NZ Herald . 2 December 2007.
  37. Web site: PGA Tour Champions recognizes Gary Player's Senior British Open wins as major titles . thegolfnewsnet.com . 18 January 2019.
  38. Web site: Bob Charles . European Tour . 13 November 2023.
  39. Web site: Charles to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame . PGA Tour . 9 July 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080712075857/http://www.pgatour.com/2008/r/07/09/wghof.charles/index.html . 12 July 2008.
  40. News: 21 December 1962 . Bob Charles Weds . 30 . The Canberra Times . AAP-Reuter . 4 March 2021 . Trove.
  41. Web site: Sir Bob Charles . World Golf Hall of Fame . 21 July 2019.
  42. Web site: 31 December 1998 . New Year honours list 1999 . 31 August 2019 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
  43. Web site: 31 December 2010 . New Year honours list 2011 . 5 January 2018 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
  44. News: Pearce . Bob . 31 December 2010 . Golfing legend greets honour with a plea . . 31 December 2010.
  45. Web site: Bob Charles . PGA Tour . 5 November 2023.
  46. News: Archer captures Lucky tourney . Wilmington Morning Star . (North Carolina) . UPI . 1 February 1965 . 9.
  47. News: Tour loner Barber wins open playoff . The Spokesman-Review . AP . 21 April 1970 . 14.
  48. Web site: Bob Charles . European Tour . 5 November 2023.
  49. News: Barnes wins play-off with 20-foot putt . The Glasgow Herald . 19 June 1978 . 17.
  50. News: Revised Charles swing again pays dividends . The Glasgow Herald . Raymond . Jacobs . 5 February 1973 . 5 . 20 November 2020 . Google News Archive.
  51. News: Charles beats Powell in playoff . Paul C. . Smith . . 25 April 1983 . 3B . Newspapers.com.
  52. News: Bowmaker tournament won by left-hander . The Glasgow Herald . 13 . 28 June 1961.
  53. News: Rees tied with Charles . The Glasgow Herald . 11 June 1962 . 3.
  54. Web site: Swiss tourney win to Charles . The Press . 29906 . 21 August 1962 . 18 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  55. News: Charles's eagle three gives him Swiss Open . Leonard . Crawley . . 3 September 1962 . 6 . Newspapers.com.
  56. News: Open Championship for R.J. Charles . Cyril . Horne . The Glasgow Herald . 15 July 1963 . 8.
  57. "Need to close gap between groups". The Times, Monday, 13 October 1969; pg. 8; Issue 57689.
  58. Web site: N.Z. Open title to R. J. Charles . The Press . 27501 . 8 November 1954 . 3 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  59. Web site: Charles, 66, 67, wins invitation tournament . The Press . 29367 . 21 November 1960 . 6 . 5 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  60. Web site: Charles wins by four strokes from Nagle . The Press . 29639 . 9 October 1961 . 17 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  61. Web site: Unimpressive Display In Amateur Final . The Press . 29648 . 19 October 1961 . 9 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  62. Web site: Finish of two 69s . The Press . 29959 . 22 October 1962 . 19 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  63. Web site: Individual Play-off Records since 1992 . European Tour . 14 October 2014 . 18 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160913105301/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186144.html . 13 September 2016.
  64. News: Charles wins after play-off . . 23 December 1986 . 18 . Newspapers.com.
  65. News: Charles is up to Challenge . . 6 December 1987 . C11 . Newspapers.com.
  66. News: Bob Charles . . 8 February 1988 . 30 . Newspapers.com.
  67. Web site: Charles wins seniors . The Press . 28 March 1988 . 8 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  68. Web site: Bob Charles defends title . The Press . 29 March 1989 . 60 . 3 November 2023 . Papers Past.
  69. News: Fuji Grand Slam . . 26 March 1990 . 26 . Newspapers.com.
  70. News: New Zealander Bob Charles . . 7 September 1990 . 24 . Newspapers.com.
  71. News: Charles duo rolls in father/son . . 7 December 1998 . 19 . Newspapers.com.
  72. Web site: Champions Tour Official Guide 2011 . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408192546/https://pgatourmedia.pgatourhq.com/static-assets/page/header/files/2011_champions.pdf#page=39 . 8 April 2023 . live.
  73. Book: Brenner, Morgan G. . The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008 . 1 . 2009 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  74. News: Four seeded players in semi-finals . The Glasgow Herald . 4 . 6 June 1958.
  75. Web site: Record Book 1st World Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy . World Amateur Golf Council . 1 March 2021.
  76. Web site: Record Book 2nd World Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy . World Amateur Golf Council . 1 March 2021.
  77. News: Bonallack & Saddler are only British winners . . 9 November 1959 . 7 . Newspapers.com.
  78. News: Golf Test to Australians . . 30 September 1956 . 30.
  79. News: United States retain Canada Cup . The Glasgow Herald . 12 November 1962 . 4.
  80. News: Exciting play by United States . The Glasgow Herald . 29 October 1963 . 6 . P.A. . Ward-Thomas.
  81. News: Americans retain Canada Cup . The Glasgow Herald . December 8, 1964 . 5.
  82. News: Canada Cup for South Africa . The Glasgow Herald . 4 October 1965 . 6.
  83. News: United States victory by five strokes . The Glasgow Herald . 14 November 1966 . 5.
  84. News: Gregson shines as U.S. win top trophy . . 13 November 1967 . 9 . Newspapers.com.
  85. News: More on golf: All the scores . The Province . Vancouver, British Columbia . Associated Press . 18 November 1968 . 18 . newspapers.com . subscription.
  86. News: Americans cruise to World Cup golf triumph . The Glasgow Herald . 15 November 1971 . 5.
  87. News: Scots 17 shots behind after 6 hour crawl . The Glasgow Herald . 4 . 10 November 1972.
  88. News: James proves too hot for Faldo . The Glasgow Herald . 13 September 1982 . 16.
  89. News: Brand puts Scots on road to victory . Raymond . Jacobs . The Glasgow Herald . 18 October 1985 . 30.
  90. News: England, Spain make a shock cup exit . Raymond . Jacobs . The Glasgow Herald . 26 September 1986 . 30.