Bob Charles (golfer)
Sir Bob Charles | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Charles in 2011 | |||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Full name | Robert James Charles | ||||||
Born | Carterton, New Zealand | 14 March 1936||||||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||
Weight | 79 kg (174 lb; 12.4 st) | ||||||
Nationality | ![]() | ||||||
Residence | Florida, United States; Canterbury, New Zealand | ||||||
Career | |||||||
Turned professional | 1960 | ||||||
Current tour(s) | Champions Tour European Seniors Tour | ||||||
Former tour(s) | PGA Tour European Tour PGA Tour of Australasia | ||||||
Professional wins | 79 | ||||||
Number of wins by tour | |||||||
PGA Tour | 6 | ||||||
European Tour | 4 | ||||||
PGA Tour of Australasia | 5 | ||||||
PGA Tour Champions | 25 (Tied 4th all time) | ||||||
European Senior Tour | 1 | ||||||
Other | 26 (regular) 13 (senior) | ||||||
Best results in major championships (wins: 1) | |||||||
Masters Tournament | T15: 1963 | ||||||
PGA Championship | T2: 1968 | ||||||
U.S. Open | 3rd/T3: 1964, 1970 | ||||||
The Open Championship | Won: 1963 | ||||||
Achievements and awards | |||||||
|
Sir Robert James Charles ONZ KNZM CBE (born 14 March 1936) is a New Zealand professional golfer. His achievements over five decades rank him among the most successful left-handed golfers of all time, being the first lefty to win a golf major, winning more than 70 titles, and beating his age twice during a tournament as a 71-year-old.
Although Charles plays golf left-handed, he is naturally right-handed.[1]
Early years[]
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. He won the New Zealand Open at Heretaunga on 8 November 1954, as an 18-year-old amateur.
Charles decided to hone his skills as an amateur first, and remained in his bank employment for a further six years. He represented New Zealand several times in international amateur tournaments during this period.
Professional career[]
Charles turned professional in 1960 and the next year won the New Zealand PGA Championship and soon after ventured overseas to the European and North American circuits.
In 1963, Charles won his first PGA Tour event in the United States, the Houston Classic, the first PGA Tour event won by a left-handed golfer.[2] Later that year 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.[3]
Charles has won about 80 tournaments around the world. As well as his PGA Tour victories, his win in the 1969 World Matchplay Championship was considered one of his best. He won the Senior British Open 30 years after winning his British Open title. He remains, along with Michael Campbell, one of only two New Zealanders to win a men's major golf championship.
In 2007 Charles became the oldest golfer to make a cut on the European Tour at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open. Charles shot a 68 in the second round, beating his age by three strokes.[4] He would go on to finish in a tie for 23rd place.
Charles's move to the Senior PGA Tour (now called PGA Tour Champions) was very lucrative and successful with 23 titles; and in three years 1988, 1989 and 1993, he recorded lowest scoring average. He finished second on the European Seniors Tour's 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters at the age of 71. He was the first left-hander to win a major, but also the first lefty to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the veterans category. He was inducted in 2008.[5] He would remain the only lefty inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame until Phil Mickelson was elected in 2011.
At the Senior British Open Championship in 2010, Charles announced in an ESPN interview that he would retire from golf, stating that he was "74 years old, traveling this world for 50 years, and it's time to slow down and spend more time on my farm in New Zealand with my family."
Personal life[]
Charles is a sporting hero in New Zealand, not only for his achievements but also for his demeanour and philanthropy regarding junior golfers. He was also a role model worldwide for left-handed golfers. Until Canadian Mike Weir won The Masters in 2003, Charles was the only golfer with a left-handed swing to have won a major.
In the 1971 Queen's Birthday Honours, Charles was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to sport.[6] In the 1992 New Year Honours, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to golf.[7] In the 1999 New Year Honours, Charles was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to golf.[8] In the 2011 New Year Honours 2011, Charles was appointed as a Member of the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand's highest civilian honour, for services to New Zealand.[9][10]
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.[11] 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.
Charles has played in the Gary Player Invitational several times to assist Gary Player raise funds for various underprivileged children's causes.
Professional wins (79)[]
PGA Tour wins (6)[]
Legend |
Major championships (1) |
Other PGA Tour (5) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 21 Apr 1963 | Houston Classic | −12 (67-66-66-69=268) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
2 | 13 Jul 1963 | The Open Championship | −3 (68-72-66-71=277) | Playoff | ![]() |
3 | 21 Feb 1965 | Tucson Open Invitational | −17 (65-69-67-70=271) | 4 strokes | ![]() |
4 | 1 Oct 1967 | Atlanta Classic | −6 (72-71-69-70=282) | 2 strokes | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
5 | 23 Jun 1968 | Canadian Open | −6 (70-68-70-66=274) | 2 strokes | ![]() |
6 | 7 Apr 1974 | Greater Greensboro Open | −14 (65-70-67-68=270) | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() |
PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1963 | The Open Championship | ![]() |
Won 36-hole playoff; Charles: E (69-71=140), Rodgers: +8 (72-76=148) |
2 | 1965 | Lucky International Open | ![]() |
Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
3 | 1970 | Greater New Orleans Open | ![]() ![]() |
Barber won with birdie on second extra hole |
European Tour wins (4)[]
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 30 Sep 1972 | John Player Classic | +1 (69-69-71-76=285) | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() |
2 | 7 Oct 1972 | Dunlop Masters | −11 (70-68-71-68=277) | 2 strokes | ![]() |
3 | 22 Jul 1973 | Scandinavian Enterprise Open | −10 (69-69-70-70=278) | 2 strokes | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
4 | 27 Jul 1974 | Swiss Open | −5 (70-70-67-68=275) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
European Tour playoff record (0–1)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1978 | Greater Manchester Open | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Barnes won with birdie on first extra hole |
Sunshine Tour wins (1)[]
Legend |
South African Opens (1) |
Other Sunshine Tour (0) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runners-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 Feb 1973 | South African Open | −6 (73-67-72-70=282) | 3 strokes | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
PGA Tour of Australasia wins (5)[]
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 18 Nov 1973 | City of Auckland Classic | −7 (69-66-71=206)* | 1 stroke | ![]() |
2 | 25 Nov 1973 | New Zealand Open | −5 (72-69-73-69=283) | 4 strokes | ![]() |
3 | 3 Dec 1978 | Air New Zealand Shell Open | −7 (67-64-73-69=273) | 5 strokes | ![]() |
4 | 2 Jan 1979 | New Zealand PGA Championship | −7 (72-67-67-71=277) | 3 strokes | ![]() |
5 | 2 Jan 1980 | New Zealand PGA Championship (2) | −19 (67-73-64-67=261) | 6 strokes | ![]() |
*Note: The 1973 City of Auckland Classic was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (0–2)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1974 | New Zealand Open | ![]() ![]() |
Gilder won with birdie on third extra hole Newton eliminated by par on second hole |
2 | 1981 | New Zealand PGA Championship | ![]() |
Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
Tournament Players Series wins (1)[]
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 Apr 1983 | Tallahassee Open | −6 (74-68-67-73=282) | Playoff | ![]() |
Tournament Players Series playoff record (1–0)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1983 | Tallahassee Open | ![]() |
Won with birdie on first extra hole |
European circuit wins (6)[]
- 1961 Bowmaker Tournament
- 1962 Swiss Open, Daks Tournament (tie with Dai Rees), Engadine Open
- 1963 Open Championship
- 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship
New Zealand circuit wins (19)[]
- 1954 New Zealand Open (as an amateur)
- 1961 New Zealand PGA Championship, Caltex Tournament
- 1962 Caltex Tournament
- 1963 Wattie's Tournament
- 1966 New Zealand Open, Wattie's Tournament, Metalcraft Tournament, Forest Products Tournament (tie with Tony Jacklin)
- 1967 New Zealand Wills Masters (tie with Martin Roesink), Caltex Tournament (tie with Peter Thomson), Wattie's Tournament
- 1968 Wattie's Tournament, Caltex Tournament
- 1969 Spalding Masters
- 1970 New Zealand Open
- 1971 Otago Charity Classic, Caltex Tournament
- 1972 Spalding Masters
Senior PGA Tour wins (25)[]
Legend |
Senior major championships (2) |
Other Senior PGA Tour (23) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 22 Mar 1987 | Vintage Chrysler Invitational | −3 (72-70-73-70=285) | 4 strokes | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2 | 29 Mar 1987 | GTE Suncoast Classic | −8 (67-67-74=208) | 4 strokes | ![]() |
3 | 3 May 1987 | Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic | −8 (70-70-68=208) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
4 | 22 May 1988 | NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative | −14 (63-67-66=196) | 4 strokes | ![]() ![]() |
5 | 29 May 1988 | Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic (2) | −10 (69-68-69=206) | 2 strokes | ![]() |
6 | 4 Jul 1988 | Rancho Murieta Senior Gold Rush | −9 (69-69-69=207) | 2 strokes | ![]() |
7 | 28 Aug 1988 | Vantage presents Bank One Senior Golf Classic | −10 (63-66-71=200) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
8 | 2 Oct 1988 | Pepsi Senior Challenge | −5 (70-69=139)* | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
9 | 19 Feb 1989 | GTE Suncoast Classic (2) | −9 (68-70-69=207) | Playoff | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
10 | 21 May 1989 | NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative (2) | −17 (63-65-65=193) | 5 strokes | ![]() ![]() |
11 | 9 Jul 1989 | Digital Seniors Classic | -16 (65-70-65=200) | 3 strokes | ![]() |
12 | 30 Jul 1989 | Volvo Seniors' British Open | −11 (70-68-65-66=269) | 7 strokes | ![]() |
13 | 27 Aug 1989 | Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic (3) | -13 (66-69-68=203) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
14 | 1 Oct 1989 | Fairfield Barnett Space Coast Classic | −13 (66-70-67=203) | 6 strokes | ![]() |
15 | 24 Jun 1990 | Digital Seniors Classic (2) | −13 (69-67-67=203) | 2 strokes | ![]() |
16 | 9 Dec 1990 | GTE Kaanapali Classic | −4 (65-71-70=206) | 4 strokes | ![]() ![]() |
17 | 10 Feb 1991 | GTE Suncoast Classic (3) | −6 (68-72-70=210) | 4 strokes | ![]() ![]() |
18 | 11 Oct 1992 | Raley's Senior Gold Rush (2) | −15 (71-65-65=201) | 7 strokes | ![]() ![]() |
19 | 18 Oct 1992 | Transamerica Senior Golf Championship | −16 (70-67-63=200) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
20 | 28 Mar 1993 | Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic | −8 (69-70-69=208) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
21 | 23 May 1993 | Bell Atlantic Classic | −6 (67-67-70=204) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
22 | 25 Jul 1993 | Senior British Open (2) | +3 (73-73-71-74=291) | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() |
23 | 5 Sep 1993 | Quicksilver Classic | −9 (74-65-68=207) | 4 strokes | ![]() |
24 | 29 Oct 1995 | Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (2) | −9 (69-67-68=204) | Playoff | ![]() |
25 | 27 Oct 1996 | Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (3) | −15 (64-65-69=198) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
*Note: The 1988 Pepsi Senior Challenge was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.
Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–8)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1987 | PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational | ![]() |
Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
2 | 1988 | Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Moody won with birdie on first extra hole |
3 | 1988 | U.S. Senior Open | ![]() |
Lost 18-hole playoff; Player: −4 (68), Charles: −2 (70) |
4 | 1989 | GTE Suncoast Classic | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Won with birdie on third extra hole Ferree and Hill eliminated by birdie on first hole |
5 | 1989 | General Tire Las Vegas Classic | ![]() ![]() |
Coody won with birdie on second extra hole |
6 | 1995 | Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic | ![]() |
Won with birdie on third extra hole |
7 | 1996 | Las Vegas Senior Classic | ![]() ![]() |
Colbert won with par on fourth extra hole Charles eliminated by par on first hole |
8 | 1998 | Home Depot Invitational | ![]() |
Lost to par on third extra hole |
9 | 1998 | Kroger Senior Classic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Baiocchi won with birdie on second extra hole |
10 | 2001 | Senior British Open | ![]() |
Lost to par on first extra hole |
European Senior Tour wins (1)[]
Legend |
Senior major championships (1) |
Other European Senior Tour (0) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runners-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 25 Jul 1993 | Senior British Open | +3 (73-73-71-74=291) | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() |
European Senior Tour playoff record (0–1)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001 | Senior British Open | ![]() |
Lost to par on first extra hole |
Other senior wins (13)[]
- 1986 Mazda Champions (with Amy Alcott)
- 1987 Mauna Lani Invitational
- 1988 Fuji Electric Grandslam, 1st National Bank Classic
- 1989 Fuji Electric Grandslam
- 1990 Fuji Electric Grandslam, Kintetsu Home Senior, Daikyo Senior Invitational
- 1991 Kintetsu Home Senior
- 1998 Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (with son David)
- 2004 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Raphael Division (with Stewart Ginn)
- 2009 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Demaret Division (with Gary Player)
- 2010 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Demaret Division (with Gary Player)
Exhibition wins[]
- 1984 "The Shootout" (with Russ Cochran) – tied with Charlie Bolling and Bob Tway[12]
Major championships[]
Wins (1)[]
Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 | The Open Championship | 1 shot lead | −7 (68-72-66-71=277) | Playoff1 | ![]() |
1Defeated Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff (Charles 69-71=140, Rodgers 72-76=148).
Results timeline[]
Amateur
Tournament | 1958 | 1959 |
---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | CUT | |
U.S. Open | ||
The Open Championship | CUT | |
The Amateur Championship | QF |
Professional
Tournament | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | T25 | T15 | T40 | T45 | CUT | CUT | 19 | T29 | ||
U.S. Open | T19 | 3 | CUT | CUT | CUT | T7 | CUT | |||
The Open Championship | CUT | 5 | 1 | T17 | CUT | T37 | CUT | T2 | 2 | |
PGA Championship | T13 | T19 | T41 | T2 | T35 |
Tournament | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | 17 | CUT | T22 | T29 | CUT | CUT | ||||
U.S. Open | T3 | T13 | CUT | 11 | CUT | |||||
The Open Championship | T13 | T18 | T15 | T7 | CUT | T12 | CUT | T43 | T48 | T10 |
PGA Championship | T26 | T13 | T58 | T73 |
Tournament | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | ||||||||||
U.S. Open | ||||||||||
The Open Championship | T60 | T35 | CUT | T47 | WD | T19 | T20 | |||
PGA Championship |
Tournament | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | ||||||||||
U.S. Open | ||||||||||
The Open Championship | CUT | CUT | CUT | 71 | CUT | |||||
PGA Championship |
Tournament | 2000 | 2001 |
---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | ||
U.S. Open | ||
The Open Championship | CUT | CUT |
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.
Source for The Masters: www.masters.com
Source for U.S. Open: USGA Championship Database
Source for The British Open: www.opengolf.com
Source for PGA Championship: PGA Championship Media Guide
Source for 1958 Amateur Championship: The Glasgow Herald, 6 June 1958, p. 4.
Summary[]
Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Masters Tournament | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 9 |
U.S. Open | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 6 |
The Open Championship | 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 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 11 (1962 Masters – 1965 Masters)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1968 U.S. Open – 1968 PGA)
Senior major championships[]
Wins (2)[]
Year | Championship | Winning Score | Margin | Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|
1989 | Volvo Seniors' British Open | −11 (70-68-65-66=269) | 7 strokes | ![]() |
1993 | Senior British Open (2) | +3 (73-73-71-74=291) | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() |
Team appearances[]
Amateur
- Eisenhower Trophy (representing New Zealand): 1958, 1960
- Commonwealth Tournament (representing New Zealand): 1959
- Sloan Morpeth Trophy (representing New Zealand): 1956
Professional
- World Cup (representing New Zealand): 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972
- Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 1982
- Dunhill Cup (representing New Zealand): 1985, 1986
See also[]
- List of golfers with most Champions Tour wins
- List of men's major championships winning golfers
References[]
- ^ "Sir Bob Charles". World Golf Hall of Fame. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "Houston Classic 1963 Champion – Bob Charles". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ "1963 Bob Charles". The Open. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ Peters, Austin (1 December 2007). "Bob Charles a cut above at age of 71". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 26 April 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Charles to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame". PGA Tour. 9 July 2008. Archived from the original on 12 July 2008.
- ^ "No. 45386". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 12 June 1971. p. 5998.
- ^ "No. 52768". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1991. p. 29.
- ^ "New Year honours list 1999". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 1998. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ "New Year honours list 2011". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ Pearce, Bob (31 December 2010). "Golfing legend greets honour with a plea". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ^ "Bob Charles Weds". The Canberra Times. AAP-Reuter. 21 December 1962. p. 30. Retrieved 4 March 2021 – via Trove.
- ^ "12 Sep 1984, 20 - The Sacramento Bee at Newspapers.com". Retrieved 3 August 2021 – via newspapers.com.
External links[]
- Bob Charles at the PGA Tour official site
- Bob Charles at the European Tour official site
- New Zealand male golfers
- PGA Tour of Australasia golfers
- PGA Tour golfers
- European Tour golfers
- PGA Tour Champions golfers
- Winners of men's major golf championships
- Winners of senior major golf championships
- World Golf Hall of Fame inductees
- New Zealand Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- Members of the Order of New Zealand
- Left-handed golfers
- People in sports awarded knighthoods
- People educated at Wairarapa College
- People from Carterton, New Zealand
- Sportspeople from Masterton
- People from Oxford, New Zealand
- 1936 births
- Living people