Claude Harmon


Eugene Claude Harmon Sr. was an American professional golfer and golf instructor.

Early life and amateur career

Harmon was born in Savannah, Georgia. He spent much of his boyhood in Florida, in the Orlando area. A youthful prodigy, he qualified for the U.S. Amateur at age 15 in 1931.

Professional career

Harmon was a club professional when he won the 1948 Masters Tournament by five shots to earn $2,500. He was a semi-finalist three times in the PGA Championship competing as a club pro against full-time tour players. Claude Harmon also finished in third place at the 1959 U.S. Open, which was held at his home course at Winged Foot.
From 1945 to 1978, Harmon was the head professional at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, and also served as the winter professional for many years at the Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. In 1959, Harmon played in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot and placed third. In 1959, he was hired as the head professional at Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, where he served for over a decade. Lastly, he took a club job in Texas in the Houston area.

Personal life

Harmon had four sons and two daughters. All of his sons became golf professionals and instructors. His son Claude Harmon Jr. − better known as Butch Harmon − is among the most famous golf coaches of all time and has served as the coach for Greg Norman and Tiger Woods. In addition, his sons Craig and Bill have been noted in Golf Digests "top 50 teachers" list. His third eldest son Dick was also a top golf instructor, as is grandson Claude Harmon III.
Harmon was one of the few close friends of legendary star Ben Hogan, and the two played together frequently and worked together on their games.
Harmon died of heart failure following surgery in Houston, Texas at the age 73.

Awards and honors

PGA Tour wins (1)

Source:
Major championship is shown in bold.

Other wins (14)

this list may be incomplete

Wins (1)

Results timeline

Tournament1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
Masters TournamentT32T35T14T34T53T28T46T38T9CUT
U.S. OpenT38T54CUTT15CUTCUTT3
The Open Championship
PGA ChampionshipR16R64SFR32R16R326T56T38

Tournament1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
Masters TournamentT16CUTCUTWDCUTCUTWDWDWDWD
U.S. OpenT27CUTCUT
The Open Championship
PGA ChampionshipCUTT44

Tournament19701971
Masters TournamentWD
U.S. Open
The Open Championship
PGA Championship

NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
DQ = disqualified
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

  • Most consecutive cuts made – 12
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2