World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Burke Jr., who was the oldest living Masters champion, died Friday at 100.
He followed his win at Augusta National in April 1956 with a win that July in the PGA Championship near Boston. Only Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Burke won the Masters and PGA Championship in the same year.
“Jackie Burke was a true Hall of Famer who will always be remembered for the style and grace with which he played the game and ran Champions Golf Club,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. “It’s hard to measure the impact he had on the game, and his willingness to mentor and help players is legendary. I’ve admired Jackie and all he has meant to professional golf, and we mourn his death and send our condolences to his family.”
Burke’s Masters victory featured the largest comeback in the tournament’s history.
Trailing Ken Venturi by eight shots entering the final round in blustery conditions, Burke carded a 1-under 71 to defeat Venturi (80) by one shot.
Burke defeated Ted Kroll 3 and 2 to win the PGA Championship at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton, Mass.
The 1956 PGA Player of the Year retired with 16 victories on the PGA Tour, including four in a row in 1952, and finished second 21 times. Burke also played on five straight Ryder Cup teams and served as captain in 1973. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000 and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
Burke passed away in Houston, where he founded the Champions Golf Club and became a successful instructor.
–Field Level Media
