American · Atlanta, USA · Born 17 March 1902 · Died 1971-12-18Legendary American amateur who won 13 majors, completed the 1930 Grand Slam, then retired to found Augusta National.
Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was born on 17 March 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia, and developed into the finest amateur golfer in the sport's history, remarkably never turning professional despite his sustained dominance over the game's best players throughout the 1920s. Jones won 13 major championships between 1923 and 1930 across the four tournaments considered major at the time — the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, Open Championship, and British Amateur — a total that stood unmatched until Jack Nicklaus surpassed it in 1973 with victories across the modern major championships. Jones achieved the sport's first Grand Slam in 1930, winning all four major tournaments of that era in a single calendar year, an achievement no golfer has repeated in that precise form, reportedly having placed a bet on himself before the season that netted him $60,000. Jones retired from competitive golf immediately after his 1930 Grand Slam, at just 28, and became a respected Atlanta lawyer, later co-founding Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, which he helped design on the site of a former plant nursery. He died on 18 December 1971, at age 69, in his native Atlanta, remembered as one of the most influential figures in the sport's history both on and off the course.
Only golfer to complete the Grand Slam in a single year, 1930; co-founder of Augusta National/Masters
How They Played
Exceptional swing mechanics, outstanding short game, remarkable competitive temperament
Lasting Impact
Greatest amateur golfer of all time, co-founded Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament
Career Honours
- 1930 Grand Slam (US Open, US Amateur, Open Championship, British Amateur)
- 13 major titles 1923-1930
- founded Augusta National & the Masters
American Athletes