Herman Keiser

Herman Walter Keiser was an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour, best known for winning the Masters Tournament in 1946, his only major [golf">Men's major golf championships">major [golf championships|major] title.

Career

Keiser was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. Like most professional golfers of his generation, he earned a living primarily as a club professional. His first job was as the assistant golf professional at Portage Country Club in Akron, Ohio. He eventually became head professional at Firestone Country Club in Akron. Keiser's serious demeanor earned him the nickname, The Missouri Mortician, among his fellow golfers.
In 1942, Keiser interrupted his career to join the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II. He served as a storekeeper aboard. Keiser was discharged in 1945 and returned to play on the PGA Tour. Despite the long layoff, he earned second-place finishes to Sam Snead at the Greater Greensboro Open, to Buck White at the Memphis Invitational, and twice to leading money winner Ben Hogan, at the Dallas Invitational and the Phoenix Open. However, he achieved golfing immortality at the 1946 Masters Tournament when he took the lead on the third hole and never looked back, defeating Hogan by one stroke to earn $2,500 in first-prize money. Keiser described his Masters win as "the greatest thing that ever happened to me." He won two more PGA Tour events that season.
Keiser was part of the American team that won the Ryder Cup in 1947. While the United States defeated Britain, 11–1, Keiser's loss to Sam King prevented the Americans from a clean sweep.
Keiser retired in the 1950s, having won five tournaments during his PGA career. His only top ten in a major was his victory at Augusta in 1946. He returned to live in Ohio, where he purchased a driving range.

Personal life

He died in Akron in 2003 from complications of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 89.

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins (5)

1942 Miami Biltmore International Four-Ball
1946 Masters Tournament, Knoxville Invitational, Richmond Open
1947 Esmeralda Open

Major championship is shown in bold.
Source:

Other wins

this list is probably incomplete

Major championships

Results timeline

Tournament	1950	1951	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959
Masters Tournament	T14	T39				T56		CUT	CUT	CUT
U.S. Open		CUT
PGA Championship		R64			R64			R32

Tournament	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969
Masters Tournament	CUT	CUT	WD	45	CUT	WD	CUT	CUT	CUT	WD
U.S. Open
PGA Championship								CUT

Tournament	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979
Masters Tournament	CUT	WD	CUT		CUT
U.S. Open
PGA Championship

Tournament	1980	1981	1982
Masters Tournament			WD
U.S. Open
PGA Championship

Note: Keiser never played in The Open 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 – 14
Longest streak of top-10s – 1