Walter Hagen

Walter Charles Hagen (December 21, 1892 – October 6, 1969) was an American professional golfer who helped shape the sport during the early 1900s. With 11 major professional championships, he ranks third all-time, trailing only Jack Nicklaus (18) and Tiger Woods (15). Often called the "father of professional golf," he brought greater visibility, higher prize money, and significant endorsement opportunities to the game. He is widely considered one of the sport's all-time greats.

Hagen won the U.S. Open twice. In 1922, he became the first American-born player to claim The Open Championship, and he went on to win the Claret Jug three more times. He also captured the PGA Championship five times—a record he shares—all in match-play format, and won the Western Open five times when that event carried near-major status. Over his career, he notched 44 PGA victories and served as Ryder Cup captain on six occasions.

Born in Rochester, New York, Hagen came from a working-class family of German descent. His father, William, was a millwright and blacksmith in the city's railroad-car shops; his mother was Louisa Boelke. Walter was the second of five children and the only son. He learned golf at the Country Club of Rochester, starting as a caddie at a young age to help support his family.

He earned ten cents per round, occasionally receiving an extra five-cent tip. Caddies were only allowed on the course during off-peak hours, a common restriction at the time. With guidance from head professional Alfred Ricketts, Hagen’s skills improved steadily, and by his mid-teens he was an expert player. The club then hired him to give lessons and work in the pro shop.

Hagen made his top-level debut at age 19 in the 1912 Canadian Open, finishing 11th. He surprised observers with a fourth-place finish at the 1913 U.S. Open in Brookline, where he later said the other professionals treated him poorly because they did not know him. According to Hagen, “they pushed me off the tee and told me I could practice when they were through.” He vowed to win the 1914 U.S. Open—and did exactly that.

Hagen was also a talented baseball player, primarily as a pitcher and shortstop. In 1914, he canceled a tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies to play in a golf tournament. Later that week, he became U.S. Open champion, and his career path was set. Hagen played a key role in elevating professional golf.

At the time, amateurs held a clear advantage in the sport, especially in Britain, where professionals were often barred from clubhouse facilities. During the 1920 Open in Deal, Kent, Hagen was refused entry to the clubhouse dressing room, so he hired a Pierce-Arrow car with a chauffeur and parked it in the club’s driveway as his private dressing room—a move that raised eyebrows in class-conscious Britain. On another occasion, he refused to enter a clubhouse to claim a prize because he had previously been denied entry.

At the 1914 Midlothian Open, he boldly walked into the clubhouse and mingled with wealthy members, who were delighted; that incident permanently opened the doors for professionals. The 1920 U.S. Open in Toledo marked a turning point. Encouraged by Hagen, the players donated a large grandfather clock to the host Inverness Club to thank the club for allowing professionals access to the clubhouse during the tournament. Early in his career, Hagen represented the Country Club of Rochester, which supported his outside competitions.

In 1918, he became the first club professional at Oakland Hills Country Club near Detroit, staying until 1919. He then became the first touring professional without a club affiliation—a status he held alone for several years. In 1924, he was president and co-owner of the Bear Creek Golf and Country Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, which later changed names to Boca Ciega Golf and Country Club and eventually the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club. Hagen was a dashing, assertive figure who raised the status and earnings of professional golfers.

He played hundreds of exhibition matches across the United States and around the world, greatly popularizing the sport. He was also known for his flashy wardrobe—expensive tailored clothes in bright colors and plush fabrics. Because his skills were in high demand for exhibitions, he found that format far more lucrative than most tournaments. Hagen earned significant money endorsing golf equipment and helped design clubs for Wilson Sports, sold under the names “Walter Hagen” or “Haig Ultra.”

His work with Wilson produced some of the first matched sets of irons, around the same time that his great rival Bobby Jones did similar work for Spalding. These improvements made high-quality clubs more affordable, broadened golf’s appeal, and raised the standard of play. Hagen was the first golfer to earn a million dollars in his career.