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Paul Runyan was born July 12, 1908 in Hot Springs,
Arkansas. He died March 17, 2002. Fellow golfers
nicknamed him "Little Poison,", primarily because
he didn't drive the ball very far but also had a
terrific short game. Additionally, Runyan was
small in stature (5'7") furthering the "Little
Poison" monicker. Runyan is a member of the World
Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, Arkansas Hall of Fame
and the recepient of the Harvey Penick Lifetime
Teaching Award. In addition, Runyan captured the
PGA Tour money title in 1934 and was a 2-time
member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Runyan also
received the PGA of America Distinguished Service
Award.
Runyan started as a caddie and then an apprentice
at a golf course in his hometown before turning
pro at age 17. He served as an assistant pro to
Craig Wood at Forest Hills Golf Course in White
Plains, New York, in 1921. Thirteen years later,
Runyan defeated Wood in a playoff to win the first
of his two PGA Championships. Of Runyan's 29
career PGA Tour wins, 16 of them came in 1933 and
1934. His 9 wins in 1933 make him one of only 7
golfers to win 9 or more times in one year on the
PGA Tour. But Runyan was competitive for many
years, winning the PGA again in 1938 and leading
the U.S. Open after three rounds as late as 1951.
In the finals of his 1938 PGA, Runyan defeated Sam
Snead 8 and 7, the most lopsided title match of
the era when the PGA was contested at match play.
Runyan's teaching prowess led many top pros to him
over his 75 years of teaching, including Gene
Littler, Phil Rodgers, Frank Beard, Jim Ferree and
Mickey Wright. Golf Magazine wrote: "... since the
late 1930s, he has probably been the most
influential short game instructor. Untold
thousands have been taught his methods for putting
and chipping."