| George Simpson | |
| Fullname: | George O. Simpson |
| Birth Date: | 1 January 1887 |
| Birth Place: | Monifieth, Scotland |
| Death Place: | Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality: | |
| Status: | Professional |
| Yearpro: | 1911 |
| Usopen: | 3rd: 1911 |
| Open: | DNP |
| Pga: | T9: 1916 |
George O. Simpson (1 January 1887 – 27 January 1920) was a Scottish-American professional golfer who played in the early 20th century. Simpson had one top-10 finish in a golf major championship when he finished third in the 1911 U.S. Open.[1] Simpson finished second in the 1910 Western Open.
Simpson was born 1 January 1887 in Monifieth, Scotland.[2] He emigrated to the United States (date unknown) to further his career as a professional golfer. He held posts as professional at Wheaton Golf Club, La Grange Country Club, and Oak Park Country Club,[2] and Omaha Country Club (1913-1914).
The 1911 U.S. Open was the 17th U.S. Open, held June 23–26 at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago. 19-year-old John McDermott became the first American-born U.S. Open champion by defeating Mike Brady and George Simpson in an 18-hole playoff.
In the playoff on Monday, McDermott led Brady by four after the turn, with Simpson five back. Brady then played the next four holes in 1-under par while McDermott made three consecutive bogeys, evening up the contest heading to the 15th. McDermott took the lead after Brady missed a 4-footer for par, then sealed the championship with an approach to the 18th that settled 10 feet from the hole. He two-putted from there for an 80, two ahead of Brady and five ahead of Simpson who shot a disappointing 85. He won $100 for a third place finish in the tournament.
Simpson died in Chicago, Illinois, on 27 January 1920. He finished third in the 1911 U.S. Open and was a former Scottish Amateur champion before emigrating to the U.S. and turning professional in 1911.[3] [4] He finished second in the 1910 Western Open, losing to Chick Evans at Beverly Country Club by the score of 6 and 5.[5]
Simpson graciously praised Evans when he said, “I’ve learned the greatest golf lesson of my life today. I consider it a greater honor to be beaten by the kind of golf you have played than to have remained out of the tournament because I did not fancy match play.”
| Tournament | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | 3 | T13 | T13 | T47 | T24 | ||
| PGA Championship | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | R16 |