Herman Barron


Herman Barron was an American professional golfer, best known for being the first Jewish golfer to win a PGA Tour event.

Early life

Barron was born in Port Chester, New York.

Professional career

Barron was one of barely a dozen professional golfers who earned their living as touring professionals in the 1930s and 1940s. His first professional win came at the 1934 Philadelphia Open Championship. On February 8, 1942, Barron became the first Jewish golfer to win an official PGA Tour event by winning the Western Open by two strokes over Henry Picard at Phoenix Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.
Barron was consistently among the Tour's top money winners. His best year came in 1946. In June he won the Philadelphia Inquirer Open, finished tied for fourth in the U.S. Open the following week, and in late July won the All American Open at the Tam O'Shanter Golf Course in Chicago.
Barron played on America's victorious 1947 Ryder Cup team, but was soon forced into retiring as a touring professional due to failing health. For the next 15 years, he held the position of teaching pro at the Fenway Golf Club in Westchester County, New York.
Barron returned to the touring circuit in the early 1960s and won the 1963 PGA Championship">PGA of America">PGA Championship. He also worked as a teaching pro during this era. Barron also played a large role in the development of Israel's first golf course, in Caesarea.

Personal life

In 1978, Barron died in Pompano Beach, Florida at the age of 68.

Awards and honors

Professional wins (14)

Other wins (8)

Results in major championships

Tournament1940194119421943194419451946194719481949
Masters TournamentT36NTNTNTT25T17T25T13
U.S. OpenT5NTNTNTNTT4T277T27
The Open ChampionshipNTNTNTNTNTNT
PGA ChampionshipNTR16R16R32R16

Tournament1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
Masters TournamentT46
U.S. OpenCUTCUTCUTCUTT50CUT
The Open Championship
PGA ChampionshipT35CUT

Tournament1960196119621963
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUT
PGA ChampionshipCUT

NYF = tournament not yet founded
NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
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