Awarded the Hickok Belt in 1971 as the top professional athlete
Named Rookie of the Year by Gold Digest in 1967
After playing as a member of the U․S․ Ryder Cup Team from 1969 to 1981, he would serve as team captain in 1985
Became the first golfer to win the British Open Championship, the Canadian Open and the U․S․ Open in the same year, a task he completed over the course of three weeks during the summer of 1971
Inducted into the World Gold Hall of Fame in 1981
Struck by lightning while playing at the Western Open in 1975, an incident that would result in numerous back surgeries
After being gifted golf balls and an old golf club as a teenager, he would begin sneaking on to courses in his hometown of Dallas before eventually getting a job as a caddy
Quote: "I've been hit by lightning and been in the Marine Corps for four years․ I've traveled the world and been everywhere you can imagine․ There's not anything I'm scared of except my wife․"
After going pro in 1967, he would win his first tournament, the U․S․ Open at Oak Hill Country Club, in 1968, four strokes ahead of defending champion, Jack Nicklaus
Transitioned to the PGA Senior Tour by the late '80s, eventually winning 29 majors with the newly-formed league
Served in the U․S․ Marine Corps from 1956 until 1960