William R. Collins (September 23, 1928 – April 8, 2006) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s and the Senior PGA Tour in the 1980s.
Early life Collins was born in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.
Professional career Collins joined the PGA Tour in 1958 and won four events between 1959 and 1962. His first victory came at the 1959 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational by three strokes (280) over Jack Burke Jr. and Tom Nieporte. In 1960, Collins finished in a three-way tie for first at the end of regulation at the Insurance City Open, which he and Jack Fleck lost in a playoff to Arnold Palmer. His best finishes in major championships were T-7 at The Masters in 1961 and a 7th-place finish at the 1964 U.S. Open. He was a member of the victorious 1961 Ryder Cup team.
Collins was forced to quit the Tour after back surgery in 1963. In 1965, he took a club pro job at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York and remained there until December 1981. He joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1982 and won the Greater Syracuse Senior's Pro Golf Classic in his first full season.
Death Collins died in Woodstock, Georgia at the age of 77.
Professional wins (7) PGA Tour wins (4) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1Mar 9, 1959Greater New Orleans Open Invitational−8 (68-72-70-70=280)3 strokes Jack Burke Jr., Tom Nieporte2May 2, 1960Houston Classic−8 (66-71-68-75=280)Playoff Arnold Palmer 3May 22, 1960Hot Springs Open Invitational−13 (68-70-68-69=275)3 strokes Pete Cooper 4Jul 8, 1962Buick Open Invitational−4 (70-71-71-72=284)1 stroke Dave Ragan
PGA Tour playoff record (1–3) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11960Phoenix Open Invitational Jack FleckLost 18-hole playoff;Fleck: −3 (68),Collins: E (71)21960Houston Classic Arnold PalmerWon 18-hole playoff;Collins: −3 (69),Palmer: −1 (71)31960Insurance City Open Invitational Jack Fleck, Arnold PalmerPalmer won with birdie on third extra holeCollins eliminated by birdie on first hole41962Hot Springs Open Invitational Al JohnstonLost to birdie on second extra hole Source:
Other wins (2) 1956 Metropolitan PGA Championship 1975 Metropolitan PGA Championship
Senior PGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up1Aug 22, 1982Greater Syracuse Senior's Pro Golf Classic +1 (73-71-71-70=285)1 stroke Guy Wolstenholme
U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 1961 (winners)
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