Alvin Richard Mayer (August 28, 1924 – June 2, 1989) was an American professional golfer.
Early life Mayer was born in Stamford, Connecticut. He apprenticed with renowned player and teacher Claude Harmon at the Winged Foot Golf Club in suburban New York City.
Professional career Mayer won seven times on the PGA Tour, between 1953 and 1965. Mayer almost won the 1954 U.S. Open, but a triple bogey on the final hole left him tied for third, two shots back, as Ed Furgol won.
Mayer's career year was 1957, when he finished the regulation 72 holes of the U.S. Open at Inverness Club tied with defending champion Cary Middlecoff. He won the 18-hole playoff 72 to 79, and his prize was $7,200. He later won $50,000 at the World Championship of Golf, topped the PGA Tour money list with winnings of $65,835, and won the PGA Player of the Year award. He also played on the 1957 Ryder Cup team.
Personal life Mayer battled alcoholism, which kept him from winning more often on the Tour. Mayer died at age 64 in Palm Springs, California.
Awards and honors In 2008, Mayer was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame.
Professional wins (7) PGA Tour wins (7) Legend Major championships (1) Other PGA Tour (6) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1Sep 13, 1953Eastern Open−9 (69-70-70-70=279)4 strokes Charlie Bassler, Doug Ford, Chandler Harper2Mar 21, 1954Miami Beach International Four-Ball(with Tommy Bolt)−30 (67-61-65-65=258)Playoff Julius Boros and Dutch Harrison3May 22, 1955Kansas City Open−17 (69-67-68-67=271)6 strokes Chandler Harper, Billy Maxwell4Jun 24, 1956Philadelphia Daily News Open−3 (70-65-63-71=269)Playoff Bud Holscher5Jun 16, 1957U.S. Open +2 (70-68-74-70=282)Playoff Cary Middlecoff6Aug 11, 1957World Championship of Golf−9 (72-69-70-68=279)1 stroke Al Balding, Sam Snead7May 16, 1965Greater New Orleans Open Invitational−15 (72-67-66-68=273)1 stroke Bruce Devlin, Billy Martindale
PGA Tour playoff record (3–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11952Miami Open Jack Burke Jr.Lost to birdie on fifth extra hole21954Miami Beach International Four-Ball(with Tommy Bolt) Julius Boros and Dutch HarrisonWon with birdie on first extra hole31956Philadelphia Daily News Open Bud HolscherWon with par on second extra hole41957U.S. Open Cary MiddlecoffWon 18-hole playoff;Mayer: +2 (72),Middlecoff: +9 (79) Source:
Major championships
Wins (1) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1957 U.S. Open 1 shot deficit +2 (70-68-74-70=282) Playoff 1 Cary Middlecoff 1 Defeated Middlecoff in an 18-hole playoff: Mayer 72 (+2), Middlecoff 79 (+9).
Results timeline Tournament19481949Masters TournamentU.S. OpenT41PGA Championship
Tournament1950195119521953195419551956195719581959Masters TournamentT25T16T29T10T43T35CUTT4U.S. OpenT12CUTT28T54T3CUTT411T23CUTPGA ChampionshipR645T14CUT
Tournament19601961196219631964196519661967Masters TournamentT19CUTT15CUTCUTDQU.S. OpenT42CUTPGA ChampionshipCUT Note: Mayer never played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1959 PGA Championship) DQ = disqualified R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play "T" = tied
Summary Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts madeMasters Tournament 0 0 0 1 2 6 14 9U.S. Open 1 0 1 2 2 4 13 9The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0PGA Championship 0 0 0 1 1 2 5 3Totals 1 0 1 4 5 12 32 21 Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (twice) Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1957 U.S. Open – 1957 PGA)
U.S. national team appearances Ryder Cup: 1957
References
External links