This Day in Golf--July 31

Two days ago, Paul Runyan’s PGA victories were noted. Today’s date celebrates another compact player, Jerry Barber, a short hitter who played with great accuracy. In the 1961 PGA’s final round at Olympia Fields, Barber one-putted the last three holes from 20, 40 and 60 feet to get into a playoff with Don January. On this date, he won an 18-hole playoff, 67 to 68. Barber had one last moment of golfing notoriety. At the 1994 Buick Invitational, he set the record for being the oldest to play a tour event at age 77 years 10 months 9 days.