American · Harrison, USA · Born 27 February 1902 · Died 1999-05-13Gene Sarazen was an early 20th-century American golf pioneer and the first player to win all four modern majors.
Gene Sarazen was born Eugenio Saraceni on 27 February 1902 in Harrison, New York, to Sicilian immigrant parents; his father was a carpenter facing financial hardship, and Gene left school in sixth grade, beginning work as a caddie at eight before teaching himself the game. Sarazen changed his name, feeling "Eugenio Saraceni" sounded more suited to a violinist than a golfer, and turned professional at 19, winning both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in 1922 at just 20, defeating golf greats Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen along the way. Sarazen invented the modern sand wedge, a club that revolutionised bunker play, after observing the downward lift of an aeroplane's wings during a flying lesson, and used the innovation to win the 1932 Open Championship, becoming the first player in history to complete the career Grand Slam of all four modern major championships when he won the 1935 Masters. Sarazen delivered the most famous shot in the tournament's history at that 1935 Masters, holing a 235-yard 4-wood for a double eagle on the 15th hole, known as "the shot heard round the world," before winning the following day's playoff. He won seven majors in total, and died on 13 May 1999, at age 97, in Naples, Florida.
First man to complete career Grand Slam; 'shot heard round the world' at 1935 Masters
How They Played
Aggressive shot-maker, excellent short game specialist
Lasting Impact
One of golf's greatest players, completed career Grand Slam
Career Honours
- US Open 1922, 1932
- Open Championship 1932
- PGA Championship 1922, 1923, 1933
- Masters 1935
American Athletes