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View Full Version : Byron Nelson Died


Mjcpr
9/26/2006, 03:19 PM
That's a bummer.

RIP, dude.

http://images.pgatour.com/tournaments/britishopen/photos/img9434968.jpg
Mjcpr
9/26/2006, 03:25 PM
DALLAS -- Professional golfer Byron Nelson, who had the greatest year in the history of professional golf when he won 18 tournaments in 1945, including 11 in a record row, died Tuesday. He was 94.

There was no cause of death listed on the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Web site Tuesday. A family friend told the Dallas Morning News Nelson died at his home around noon.

Known as "Lord Byron" because of his elegant swing and gentle manner, Nelson won 31 of 54 tournaments in 1944-45 then at the age of 34 retired after the 1946 season to spend more time on his Texas ranch.

The namesake of the Byron Nelson Classic, Nelson was passed by Tiger Woods for fifth on the all-time career victory list earlier this month. Woods won the Deutsche Bank Championship on Sept. 4 for his 53rd career victory; Nelson has 52.

"When I was playing regularly, I had a goal," Nelson recalled years later. "I could see the prize money going into the ranch, buying a tractor, or a cow. It gave me incentive."

That incentive pushed Nelson to become one of the best players of his era. He won the Masters in 1937 and '42, the U.S. Open in 1939 and the PGA Championship in 1940 and '45.

In 1945, Nelson won a record-setting 11 tournaments in a row, a mark also being challenged by Woods. Woods has won five consecutive PGA Tour events so far this season.

"In this day and age, with this competition, to win 11 in a row would be almost unheard of," Woods said after his fifth straight victory when asked how Nelson's accomplishment compared with others, like Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak.


"What Byron accomplished, that goes down as one of the great years in the history of our sport. ... DiMaggio's record, I see that being broken more than winning 11 in a row."

Woods' next PGA Tour start will be the American Express Championship outside London at the end of September.

Nelson also finished second once in the U.S. Open, twice in the Masters and three times in the PGA. Nelson played in British Open only twice, finishing fifth in 1937.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2603645
TUSooner
9/26/2006, 03:30 PM
Farewell to a legend.
BigRedJed
9/26/2006, 03:31 PM
"When I was playing regularly, I had a goal," Nelson recalled years later. "I could see the prize money going into the ranch, buying a tractor, or a cow. It gave me incentive."
Now there's a golfer even Dean could love. RIP, Lord Byron.
Beef
9/26/2006, 03:33 PM
Sad news. RIP.
picasso
9/26/2006, 03:34 PM
God bless him.

I hope his last hours weren't spent watching our crappy Ryder Cup team.
Taxman71
9/26/2006, 03:40 PM
God bless him.

I hope his last hours weren't spent watching our crappy Ryder Cup team.

I think his final words were Damn you Vaughn Taylor!
Xstnlsooner
9/26/2006, 03:42 PM
I think he died watching "Caddyshack!"
Taxman71
9/26/2006, 03:43 PM
I think he died watching "Caddyshack!"

Lacy Underall is too much for anyone over 90.
Mjcpr
9/26/2006, 03:47 PM
I hope his last hours weren't spent watching our crappy Ryder Cup team.

I've seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked.
toast
9/26/2006, 03:50 PM
He should have went over and played, at worst he would have won as many matches as Mickelson.
sooneron
9/26/2006, 03:53 PM
Gone to the tee box in the sky. RIP, he was a class act.
crawfish
9/26/2006, 04:02 PM
Byron went to my church. His faith always came first in his life...the limo would whisk him to his namesake tournament AFTER services were over. He was an upstanding man, well respected and loved by his family and all those who knew him.

RIP Byron, you will be missed. :(
Jimminy Crimson
9/26/2006, 04:04 PM
RIP, Lord Byron!
mrowl
9/26/2006, 04:07 PM
:(

RIP Lord Byron