Victor J. Ghezzi (October 19, 1910 – May 30, 1976) was an American professional golfer.

Vic Ghezzi
Personal information
Full nameVictor J. Ghezzi
Born(1910-10-19)October 19, 1910
Rumson, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMay 30, 1976(1976-05-30) (aged 65)
Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight190 lb (86 kg; 14 st)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
Turned professional1932
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Professional wins17
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour11
Best results in major championships
(wins: 1)
Masters TournamentT6: 1941
PGA ChampionshipWon: 1941
U.S. OpenT2: 1946
The Open ChampionshipT18: 1947

Early life

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Ghezzi was born in Rumson, New Jersey.[1]

Professional career

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Ghezzi won 11 times on the PGA Tour, including one major title, which was the 1941 PGA Championship, where he defeated Byron Nelson in 38 holes in the finals.[2][3][4] He was selected for three Ryder Cup teams in 1939, 1941, and 1943, but each selection was canceled due to World War II. During the war, Ghezzi enlisted in the U.S. Army and began his training in early 1942.[5][6]

At the U.S. Open in 1946, he was in an 18-hole Sunday morning playoff with Lloyd Mangrum and Nelson. It ended in a three-way tie, forcing another 18 holes. Mangrum won that afternoon round by a single stroke over both Ghezzi and Nelson.[7]

Ghezzi was elected to the PGA of America's hall of fame in 1965.[8] He died of cancer at the age of 65 in the Miami Heart Institute in Miami Beach, Florida.[9][10]

Professional wins (17)

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PGA Tour wins (11)

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Major championship is shown in bold.

Other wins (6)

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this list may be incomplete

Major championships

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Wins (1)

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Year Championship Winning score Runner-up
1941 PGA Championship 38 holes   Byron Nelson

Note: The PGA Championship was match play until 1958

Results timeline

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Tournament 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
Masters Tournament NYF NYF T25 8 T15 T8 T10 T12
U.S. Open T45 CUT 20 T18 T20 T11 T29
The Open Championship
PGA Championship R32 R32 R16 R32 R16 R16 R32
Tournament 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
Masters Tournament T39 T6 NT NT NT T12 21 T18 T35
U.S. Open 15 19 NT NT NT NT T2 T6 T14 T37
The Open Championship NT NT NT NT NT NT T18
PGA Championship R32 1 R32 NT QF R32 SF R64
Tournament 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Masters Tournament T14 WD T30 WD T29 T53 T29 CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT CUT CUT T38
The Open Championship
PGA Championship R64 R16 R16 R64 R32 R128 R64 T56
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament CUT CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship CUT CUT T57 CUT WD T49 WD
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship
PGA Championship WD WD
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

NYF = tournament not yet founded
NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

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Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 4 11 25 17
U.S. Open 0 1 0 1 2 9 19 13
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
PGA Championship 1 0 1 3 8 16 31 24
Totals 1 1 1 4 14 37 76 55
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 36 (1934 PGA – 1950 PGA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1936 PGA – 1937 PGA)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Van Anda, Robert H. (2015). "Legendary locals of Rumson, New Jersey". Arcadia Publishing. p. 100. ISBN 9781467101769.
  2. ^ a b "Vic Ghezzi Wins PGA Title Dethroning Champion Byron Nelson In 38 Holes". The Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. July 14, 1941. p. 6.
  3. ^ a b Kelly, Loudon (July 14, 1941). "Vic Ghezzi stages brilliant rally to trim Nelson on 38th hole in P.G.A. final". Youngstown Vindicator. Ohio. Associated Press. p. 9.
  4. ^ Nelson, Byron (July 16, 1946). "Vic Ghezzi playing most consistent golf of his career". Pittsburgh Press. p. 23.
  5. ^ "Vic Ghezzi ready, willing to serve". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. December 15, 1941. p. 6, part 2.
  6. ^ "Vic Ghezzi in Army". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 20, 1942. p. 14.
  7. ^ Sixty, Billy (June 17, 1946). "Mangrum wins Open title in a playoff in heavy storm". Milwaukee Journal. p. 4-part 2.
  8. ^ "Vic Ghezzi picked to golf hall of fame". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. Associated Press. October 16, 1965. p. 13.
  9. ^ "Golf hall-of-famer dies Sunday". Boca Raton News. Florida. June 1, 1976. p. 3.
  10. ^ "Vic Ghezzi, Golfer, Dead at 65". New York Times. June 1, 1976. Retrieved February 14, 2011. Mr Ghezzi, who was born in Rumson, N.J., was a professional golfer for 25 years before retiring in 1960 to the Bal Harbour section of Miami Beach...
  11. ^ "Revolta loses to Vic Ghezzi in golf finals". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. January 16, 1935. p. 4-part 2.
  12. ^ "Vic Ghezzi scores win at Pinehurst". Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. March 26, 1938. p. 8.
  13. ^ "Vic Ghezzi blasts jealousy of New Jersey pro golfers". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. May 30, 1938. p. 11.
  14. ^ "Vic Ghezzi, Hogan win". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. September 5, 1938. p. 13.
  15. ^ "Vic Ghezzi winner in Greensboro Open". Lewiston (ME) Daily Sun. AP. March 24, 1947. p. 9.
  16. ^ "Vic Ghezzi wins Dapper Dan golf by six strokes". News and Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. Associated Press. July 19, 1948. p. 7.
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