This Day in Golf History: January 15

On this date in 1956, Arnold Palmer won the Panama Open in a six-hole playoff, tied for longest playoff pro victory with the 1957 Rubber City Open. Palmer also won a playoff at the San Diego Open on this date in 1961. Also, one of golf history’s most surprising major winners, Y.E. Yang (Yang Yong-eun) of South Korea, was born on this date in 1972. He overcame the pressure of Tiger Woods breathing down his neck to win the 2009 PGA at Hazeltine. And prior to the PGA Senior Championship settling into its now familiar summer date, it was held in January for several years. It finished on this date in consecutive years, 1948 and 1949, won by Charles McKenna and Marshall Crichton, respectively.