Bob Charles (golfer)


Sir Robert James Charles 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.

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. Later that year he won The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. After four rounds his 277 was level with American Phil Rodgers. Charles won the 36-hole playoff by eight shots.
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. He would go on to finish in a tie for 23rd place.
Charles's move to the Senior PGA Tour 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. 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. In the 1992 New Year Honours, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to golf. In the 1999 New Year Honours, Charles was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to golf. 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.
Charles married his wife Verity in 1962 and they have 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. He has four grandchildren, Beverly has two children Jacqui and James, who live in the UK. David also has two, Robert and Caroline who live in the US.
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)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory		Runner-up
121 Apr 1963Houston Classic−12 1 stroke Fred Hawkins
213 Jul 1963The Open Championship−3 Playoff Phil Rodgers
321 Feb 1965Tucson Open Invitational−17 4 strokes Al Geiberger
41 Oct 1967Atlanta Classic−6 2 strokes Tommy Bolt, Dick Crawford,
Gardner Dickinson
523 Jun 1968Canadian Open−6 2 strokes Jack Nicklaus
67 Apr 1974Greater Greensboro Open−14 1 stroke Raymond Floyd, Lee Trevino

PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11963The Open Championship Phil RodgersWon 36-hole playoff;
Charles: E,
Rodgers: +8
21965Lucky International Open George ArcherLost to birdie on second extra hole
31970Greater New Orleans Open Miller Barber, Howie JohnsonBarber won with birdie on second extra hole

European Tour wins (4)

European Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
11978Greater Manchester Open Brian Barnes, Denis Durnian,
Nick Job		Barnes won with birdie on first extra hole

Sunshine Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory		Runners-up
13 Feb 1973South African Open−6 3 strokes Vin Baker, Graham Marsh

PGA Tour of Australasia wins (5)

*Note: The 1973 City of Auckland Classic was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11974New Zealand Open Bob Gilder, Jack NewtonGilder won with birdie on third extra hole
Newton eliminated by par on second hole
21981New Zealand PGA Championship Terry GaleLost to birdie on first extra hole

PGA Tour satellite wins (1)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11987PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational Gary PlayerLost to birdie on first extra hole
21988Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am Don Massengale, Orville Moody,
Bobby Nichols		Moody won with birdie on first extra hole
31988U.S. Senior Open Gary PlayerLost 18-hole playoff;
Player: −4,
Charles: −2
41989GTE Suncoast Classic Jim Ferree, Dave Hill,
Harold Henning		Won with birdie on third extra hole
Ferree and Hill eliminated on first hole with birdie
51989General Tire Las Vegas Classic Charles Coody, Chi-Chi RodríguezCoody won with birdie on second extra hole
61995Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic Dave StocktonWon with birdie on third extra hole
71996Las Vegas Senior Classic Jim Colbert, Dave StocktonColbert won with par on fourth extra hole
Charles eliminated with par on first hole
81998Home Depot Invitational Jim DentLost to par on third extra hole
91998Kroger Senior Classic Hugh Baiocchi, Frank Conner,
Larry Nelson, Bruce Summerhays		Baiocchi won with birdie on second extra hole

European Senior Tour wins (1)

Other senior wins (14)

Wins (1)

1Defeated Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff.

Results timeline

Amateur
Professional
CUT = missed the halfway cut

WD = withdrew

QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place.
Source for The Masters:
Source for U.S. Open:
Source for The British Open:
Source for PGA Championship:
Source for 1958 Amateur Championship:

Summary

Amateur
Professional