Miller Barber


Miller Westford Barber, Jr. was an American professional golfer who enjoyed significant success on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s, and a greater degree of success on the Senior PGA Tour in the 1980s.

Career

Barber was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1954, turned professional four years later, and won his first PGA Tour event in 1964. He earned 11 career tour wins, but did not win a major championship. The closest he came was in 1969 at the U.S. Open at Houston, where he held a three-shot lead over the field after three rounds, but shot 78 in the last round to finish three shots behind winner Orville Moody. Also in 1969, Barber entered the final round of the Masters Tournament two shots out of the lead and was paired in Sunday's final group but shot a final round 74 to finish 7th. He played on the Ryder Cup team in 1969 and 1971, and in the latter year was ranked sixth on the McCormack rankings.
In 1973, Barber won the longest regulation tournament in PGA Tour history. The World Open Golf Championship played at Pinehurst Country Club was a 144-hole affair. Barber won by three strokes over Ben Crenshaw.
Barber became eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour around a year after it was founded. He was one of the dominant players on the tour throughout the 1980s, competing on even terms with players who had had much more distinguished earlier careers, such as Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer. His 24 wins on the tour included five senior majors, three of them U.S. Senior Opens.
Barber holds the record for combined PGA Tour and Champions Tour starts at 1,297.
Barber played with an unusual looped backswing/downswing, but squared up very consistently through impact. Several other PGA Tour players, including Jim Furyk, have had success with similar methods.

Death

Barber died June 11, 2013 at the age of 82 of lymphoma in Scottsdale, Arizona. Barber was survived by his wife of 43 years, Karen, and sons Larry and Richard and stepsons Casey, Doug, Brad.

Professional wins (43)

PGA Tour wins (11)

PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11964Pensacola Open Arnold Palmer, Gary PlayerPlayer won 18-hole playoff;
Player: −1,
Palmer: E,
Barber: +2
21967Oklahoma City Open Gary PlayerWon with birdie on third extra hole
31970Greater New Orleans Open Invitational Bob Charles, Howie JohnsonWon with birdie on second extra hole
41972Dean Martin Tucson Open George ArcherWon with birdie on third extra hole after 18-hole playoff;
Archer: E,
Barber: E
51973Greater New Orleans Open Jack NicklausLost to birdie on second extra hole
61973Liggett & Myers Open Bert GreeneLost to birdie on fifth extra hole
71976San Antonio Texas Open Butch BairdLost to birdie on first extra hole

Other wins (1)

*Note: The 1982 Hilton Head Seniors International was shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather.
Senior PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11981Peter Jackson Champions Gene LittlerWon with par on first extra hole
21986Bank One Senior Golf Classic Bob Goalby, Gene LittlerLittler won with par on third extra hole
Goalby eliminated with par on first hole

Japan Senior wins (2)

DQ = disqualified
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

Wins (5)

U.S. national team appearances

Professional