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Bob Charles (golfer)

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Sir Bob Charles
ONZ KNZM CBE
Charles in 2011
Personal information
Full nameRobert James Charles
Born (1936-03-14) 14 March 1936 (age 88)
Carterton, New Zealand
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight79 kg (174 lb; 12.4 st)
Sporting nationality New Zealand
ResidenceFlorida, U.S.
Canterbury, New Zealand
Spouse
Verity Aldridge
​
(m. 1962)​
Children2
Career
Turned professional1960
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
European Tour
PGA Tour of Australia
New Zealand Golf Circuit
Champions Tour
European Seniors Tour
Professional wins80
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour6
European Tour4
PGA Tour Champions25 (Tied-4th all-time)
European Senior Tour1
Other32 (regular)
13 (senior)
Best results in major championships
(wins: 1)
Masters TournamentT15: 1963
PGA ChampionshipT2: 1968
U.S. Open3rd/T3: 1964, 1970
The Open ChampionshipWon: 1963
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame2008 (member page)
New Zealand Golf Circuit
money list winner		1966, 1967, 1968–69,
1971–72, 1973–74,
1978–79
Senior PGA Tour
money list winner		1988, 1989
Senior PGA Tour
Byron Nelson Award		1988, 1989, 1993

Sir Robert James Charles ONZ KNZM CBE (born 14 March 1936) is a New Zealand professional golfer who won the 1963 Open Championship, the first left-handed player to win a major championship. He won the 1954 New Zealand Open as an 18-year-old amateur and made the cut in the same event in 2007, at the age of 71. His achievements over that period, in which he won 80 tournaments, rank him as one of the most successful New Zealand golfers of all time. He is, along with Michael Campbell, one of only two New Zealanders to win a men's major golf championship.

Charles turned professional in late 1960 and for the next two years had some success in tournaments around the world. From 1963 until the mid-1970s he played mostly on the PGA Tour. He won 5 times on the tour and finished in the top-60 on the money list each year from 1963 to 1971, except 1966, and again in 1974. Later he played more on the European Tour before joining the Senior PGA Tour when he reached 50. He was very successful on the Senior PGA Tour with 23 titles between 1987 and 1996, and winning over $9 million between 1986 and 2008. In Britain, Charles won the 1963 Open Championship and the Senior British Open twice, in 1989 and 1993. These were later added as official wins on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour. In addition to his PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour wins, Charles won 9 times in Europe, including the 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, and 25 times in domestic New Zealand tournaments. He also won a number of other seniors events around the world, including in South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Early life[edit]

Born in Carterton, a small town in the Wairarapa district in New Zealand's North Island, Charles lived in Masterton, where he worked as a bank teller, before moving to Christchurch in mid-1956.[1]

Amateur career[edit]

Charles came to prominence when he won the New Zealand Open at Wellington Golf Club in November 1954, as an 18-year-old amateur, finishing two strokes ahead of Bruce Crampton and four ahead of Peter Thomson.[2] The event acted as qualification for the New Zealand Amateur which followed immediately after the Open. Charles reached the final but lost 3&2 to Tim Woon, the defending champion, in the 36 hole match.[3] Charles also reached the final of the New Zealand Amateur in October 1956 at Christchurch Golf Club, but lost again, 3&2 to the Tasmanian Peter Toogood.[4] In September 1956 Charles had been a member of the 4-man New Zealand team in the Sloan Morpeth Trophy match against Australia at Wanganui. Australia won the contest but Charles won his singles match.[5]

Charles left New Zealand in January 1958 for a tour of the United States and Britain, travelling with Ian Cromb, and returning in August. They spent the early part of year in America, playing in a number of professional events, ending with the Masters for which Charles had received an invitation. He missed the cut by 8 strokes after rounds of 77 and 80.[6] In Britain, he also played in some professional tournaments. Charles reached the quarter-finals of the Amateur Championship on the Old Course at St Andrews, before losing to Alan Thirlwell, and later finished tied for 9th place in the Brabazon Trophy at Royal Birkdale.[7][8] He also played in the 1958 Open Championship at Royal Lytham where he qualified after rounds of 74 and 73.[9] He started well in the Championship with a 71 but missed the cut after a second round 79.[10]

Charles was selected for the 4-man New Zealand team for the inaugural Eisenhower Trophy competition on the Old Course at St Andrews in October 1958. New Zealand led by three strokes after 3 of the 4 rounds. However a poor last day left then in fourth place. John Durry took 83, including a 10 at the 14th hole. Charles took 81 and with three of the four scores counting, New Zealand finished three strokes behind the leaders. Despite his poor last round Charles had the best four-round aggregate among the New Zealand team.[11][12]

Charles played in the 1959 Commonwealth Tournament in Johannesburg. New Zealand finished third of the five teams.[13] Charles was the best of the team with three wins in foursomes matches and three wins in the singles, losing only in the match against South Africa.[14] Charles also played in the 1960 Eisenhower Trophy in the United States. The contest was dominated by the Americans who won by 42 strokes. New Zealand finished fifth, with Charles again the best of the team.[15]

Professional career[edit]

In October 1960, Charles turned professional.[16] Soon after turning professional, Charles won a 36-hole event at Queens Park, Invercargill, eight strokes ahead of Kel Nagle.[17] Although he disappointed in the New Zealand Open, he reached the final of the New Zealand PGA Championship losing 5&4 to Nagle.[18] In early 1961, Charles played on the South African circuit. Had a number of good finishes and was runner-up in the Dunlop South African Masters behind Denis Hutchinson.[19] Charles then travelled to Europe. He won the 36-hole Bowmaker Tournament, two strokes ahead of Hutchinson and Nagle, and had a number of top finishes including a tied for 4th place in the Martini International.[20][21] He led the qualifiers for the 1961 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after rounds of 66 and 70.[22] He started with a 72 but missed the cut after a second round 84, played in difficult conditions.[23] Returning to New Zealand, in October he won the Caltex Tournament, by 4 strokes from Nagle, and then the New Zealand PGA Championship.[24][25]

Charles played on the 1962 Far East Circuit in February and March. His best performance with joint runner-up in the Malayan Open behind Frank Phillips.[26] He received an invitation for the 1962 Masters Tournament in April. He made the cut and tied for 25th place.[6] Charles then travelled to Europe to play in the British/Irish and Continental circuits, where he had considerable success. He finished third in the Martini International at St Andrews and tied for the win, with Dai Rees, in the Daks Tournament.[27][28] In the 1962 Open Championship he finished in 5th place, although a distant 14 strokes behind the winner, Arnold Palmer.[6] He was then joint runner-up in the French Open, runner-up in the Irish Hospitals Tournament and joint runner-up in the Royal Gold Tournament, a 12-man round-robin tournament.[29][30][31] Returning to the continent he won the Engadine Open in Switzerland, lost a playoff to Max Faulkner in the Woodlawn International Invitational in West Germany, and won the Swiss Open in successive weeks.[32][33][34] Returning to New Zealand, he again won the Caltex Tournament ahead of Kel Nagle.[35] Towards the end of the year he played in the Australian Open, finishing tied for third, and then played in the 1962 Canada Cup in Argentina.[36][37]

From 1963 Charles played mostly on the American PGA Tour. He won his first PGA Tour event in April 1963, the Houston Classic, the first PGA Tour event won by a left-handed golfer.[38] He had three other top-5 finishes and finished the year 27th in the money list with $23,636.[39][40] In late June he travelled to Britain and was third in the Dunlop Masters.[41] Two weeks later he won The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. After four rounds (68-72-66-71) his 277 was level with American Phil Rodgers. Charles won the 36-hole playoff by eight shots.[42] Later in the year he played on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, winning the Wattie's Tournament, and competing in the 1963 Canada Cup in Paris.[43][44]

Charles didn't win on the 1964 PGA Tour but had five top-5 finishes, including a third place finish at the U.S. Open.[40] He finished 17th in the official money list with $28,451.[39] He played relatively few other event but did defend his Open Championship title, finishing tied for 17th, and he played in the Canada Cup in Hawaii.[6][45] Charles made a good start to the 1965 season. He lost in a playoff for the Lucky International Open, won the Tucson Open and was a runner-up in the Jacksonville Open.[40] Later in the season he had less success and finished 34th in the money list with $28,360.[39] Later in the year he played in some events in Europe, including the Canada Cup in Madrid, and in New Zealand, where he was a runner-up in the New Zealand Open.[46][47] Charles had a very poor season on the 1966 PGA Tour. His only top-10 finish came towards the end of the season and he only won $8,472, to finish 87th in the official money list.[39][40] He showed a return to form late in the year, playing well at the 1966 Canada Cup in Japan, and winning four events out of seven on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, including the New Zealand Open which he won by 13 strokes.[48][49][50]

Charles showed a return to form in 1967, with eight top-10 finishes on the 1967 PGA Tour, including winning the Atlanta Classic.[40] He finished 11th in the money list with $72,468.[39] He played in the 1967 World Cup in Mexico, the New Zealand pair finishing second behind the United States with Charles finishing joint runner-up in the individual standings, level with Jack Nicklaus and behind Arnold Palmer.[51] He again played on the New Zealand circuit towards the end of year, winning three events, and again being the leading money winner.[52] Charles had another successful season on the 1968 PGA Tour, with a win in the Canadian Open, and six other top-10s in official events.[40] He finished 18th in the money list with $70,926.[39] Two of his top-10 finishes came in the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, and he also finished a joint runner-up in the Open Championship.[6] He made his debut in the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, losing in the final to Gary Player.[53] He played in the 1968 World Cup in Italy, where the New Zealand pair finished seventh.[51] He had three more tournament wins on the 1968–69 New Zealand circuit, including the Spalding Masters which he won by 10 strokes with a score of 260.[54]

Charles didn't win on the PGA in 1969, 1970 or 1971 but continued to have a number of high finishes including 11 top-10 finishes in 1969, 9 in 1970 and 8 in 1971.[40] He finished 30th in money list in 1969 with $59,734, 25th in 1970 with $70,854 and 41st in 1971 with $58,016.[39] Charles won the 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship beating Gene Littler with an eagle at the 37th hole in the final.[55] He lost in playoff for the 1970 Greater New Orleans Open.[56] He had more tournament wins on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the New Zealand Open in late 1970 and three in the 1971–72 season.[57][58]

1972 and 1973 were relatively poor years on the PGA Tour with just one top-10 finish each season.[40] He finished 97th in the money list in 1972 with $21,809, and 108th in 1973 with $19,499.[59] Despite his lack of success in America, he won a number of tournaments around the world. He won the John Player Classic and the Dunlop Masters on the 1972 European Tour and the Scandinavian Enterprise Open on the tour in 1973.[60] He won the South African Open in early 1973 and the City of Auckland Classic and the New Zealand Open at the end of the year.[61][62][63] In 1972 he made his final appearance in the World Cup in Australia.[64] Charles had a better year on the 1974 PGA Tour, winning the Greater Greensboro Open and having three other top-10 finishes.[40] He finished 36th in the money list with $65,226, although $44,000 of that came from his win.[59] He also won the 1974 Swiss Open.[60]

After his relatively successful season on the 1974 PGA Tour, Charles had poor 1975 and 1976 seasons winning $7,226 and $3,769. From 1977 he only played a few events on the tour, leaving the tour in 1984.[40] In 1983 he won the Tallahassee Open, an event on the Tournament Players Series.[65] From 1977 to 1985 he played more frequently on the European Tour. His best year was 1978 when he finished 14th in the Order of Merit. He didn't win on the tour in this period but was runner-up in the 1977 Benson and Hedges International Open, the 1978 Greater Manchester Open and the 1982 Benson and Hedges International Open.[66] Charles also won three events on the New Zealand Golf Circuit, the Air New Zealand Shell Open in late 1978 and the New Zealand PGA Championship in early 1979 and in early 1980.[67][68][69]

In 2007, at the age of 71, Charles became the oldest golfer to make the cut in a European Tour event, at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open. Charles shot a 68 in the second round, beating his age by three strokes.[70] He had a final round 70 to finish in a tie for 23rd place.[71]

Senior golf[edit]

Charles's played on the Senior PGA Tour (now called PGA Tour Champions) after turning 50.[72] He was very successful on the tour with 23 titles between 1987 and 1996, and winning over $9 million on the tour between 1986 and 2008.[72] He was the leading money winner in 1988 and 1989 and led the scoring average in 1988, 1989 and 1993.[72] He won the Senior British Open in 1989 and 1993. From 2002 the Senior British Open was an official event on the PGA Tour Champions but it was only in 2018 that earlier wins were recognised by the PGA Tour Champions as official wins on the tour, increasing Charles's total to 25.[73]

Charles was a regular competitor in the Senior British Open from its founding in 1987. As well as winning twice, he was a runner-up 6 times between 1987 and 2001. During this period he rarely played in European Seniors Tour events but as he had less success in America he played more in European tournaments.[74] Apart from his Senior British Open wins he never won a European senior event, although he finished runner-up in the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters at the age of 71.[74] In addition to his senior wins in America, Charles won a number of other senior events around the world, including South Africa, Japan and Australia.[72]

Golfing awards[edit]

Charles was the first left-handed golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the veterans category. He was inducted in 2008.[75]

Personal life[edit]

In December 1962, Charles married Verity Joan Aldridge in Johannesburg, South Africa. They met three years previously at the Commonwealth Golf tournament when it was held in South Africa. The golfers Denis Hutchinson and Bobby Verwey served as groomsmen.[76] They had two children, Beverly and David.[72] David is a golf director in the United States. He is a successful golf course designer having had major input into the Formosa Country Club east of Auckland, Millbrook at the resort town of Queenstown, and The Dunes course at Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula. He was also consultant to the Clearwater course, near Christchurch, designed by golf architect John Darby.

Although Charles plays golf left-handed, he is naturally right-handed.[77]

Awards and honors[edit]

Professional wins (80)[edit]

PGA Tour wins (6)[edit]

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (5)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 21 Apr 1963 Houston Classic −12 (67-66-66-69=268) 1 stroke United States Fred Hawkins
2 13 Jul 1963 The Open Championship −3 (68-72-66-71=277) Playoff United States Phil Rodgers
3 21 Feb 1965 Tucson Open Invitational −17 (65-69-67-70=271) 4 strokes United States Al Geiberger
4 1 Oct 1967 Atlanta Classic −6 (72-71-69-70=282) 2 strokes United States Tommy Bolt, United States Richard Crawford,
United States Gardner Dickinson
5 23 Jun 1968 Canadian Open −6 (70-68-70-66=274) 2 strokes United States Jack Nicklaus
6 7 Apr 1974 Greater Greensboro Open −14 (65-70-67-68=270) 1 stroke United States Raymond Floyd, United States Lee Trevino

Source:[83]

PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1963 The Open Championship United States Phil Rodgers Won 36-hole playoff;
Charles: E (69-71=140),
Rodgers: +8 (72-76=148)
2 1965 Lucky International Open United States George Archer Lost to birdie on second extra hole
3 1970 Greater New Orleans Open United States Miller Barber, United States Howie Johnson Barber won with birdie on second extra hole

Source:[83][84][56]

European Tour wins (4)[edit]

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 30 Sep 1972 John Player Classic +1 (69-69-71-76=285) 1 stroke United States Gay Brewer, England Peter Oosterhuis
2 7 Oct 1972 Dunlop Masters −11 (70-68-71-68=277) 2 strokes England Tony Jacklin
3 22 Jul 1973 Scandinavian Enterprise Open −10 (69-69-70-70=278) 2 strokes South Africa Vin Baker, England Tony Jacklin,
England Hedley Muscroft
4 27 Jul 1974 Swiss Open −5 (70-70-67-68=275) 1 stroke England Tony Jacklin

Source:[60]

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponents Result
1 1978 Greater Manchester Open Scotland Brian Barnes, England Denis Durnian,
England Nick Job 		Barnes won with birdie on first extra hole

Source:[85]

Southern Africa Tour wins (1)[edit]

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runners-up
1 3 Feb 1973 BP South African Open −6 (73-67-72-70=282) 3 strokes South Africa Vin Baker, South Africa Bobby Cole,
Australia Graham Marsh

Source:[61]

New Zealand Golf Circuit wins (20)[edit]

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 17 Sep 1963 Wattie's Tournament −9 (66-68-67-70=271) 3 strokes Australia Bill Dunk
2 19 Nov 1966 New Zealand Open −19 (67-71-65-70=273) 13 strokes England Guy Wolstenholme
3 22 Nov 1966 Wattie's Tournament (2) −15 (67-66-69-63=265) 6 strokes England Tony Jacklin
4 6 Dec 1966 Metalcraft Tournament −15 (73-69-66-65=273) 3 strokes England Clive Clark
5 11 Dec 1966 Forest Products Tournament −16 (72-68-66-66=272) Shared title with England Tony Jacklin
6 21 Nov 1967 Wattie's Tournament (3) −8 (70-67-68-67=272) 2 strokes New Zealand Stuart Jones (a)
7 26 Nov 1967 Caltex Tournament −14 (74-67-68-69=278) Shared title with Australia Peter Thomson
8 2 Dec 1967 New Zealand Wills Masters −14 (68-69-69-72=278) Shared title with Netherlands Martin Roesink
9 7 Dec 1968 Caltex Tournament (2) −16 (65-70-62=197)* 10 strokes Australia Tony Mangan, Australia Randall Vines
10 10 Dec 1968 Wattie's Tournament (4) −6 (68-70-65-71=274) 2 strokes New Zealand Walter Godfrey
11 4 Jan 1969 Spalding Masters −20 (66-62-69-63=260) 10 strokes New Zealand John Lister
12 28 Nov 1970 New Zealand Open (2) −13 (65-65-71-70=271) 10 strokes Australia Graham Marsh
13 5 Dec 1971 Otago Charity Classic −15 (70-67-67-69=273) 6 strokes United States Marty Bohen
14 12 Dec 1971 Caltex Tournament (3) −10 (68-68-67-71=274) 2 strokes England Guy Wolstenholme
15 1 Jan 1972 Spalding Masters (2) −10 (67-68-65=200)* 2 strokes England Guy Wolstenholme
16 18 Nov 1973 City of Auckland Classic −7 (69-66-71=206)* 1 stroke New Zealand Walter Godfrey
17 25 Nov 1973 New Zealand Open (3) −5 (72-69-73-69=283) 4 strokes Australia Ian Stanley
18 3 Dec 1978 Air New Zealand Shell Open −7 (72-69-73-69=273) 1 stroke Australia Graham Marsh
19 2 Jan 1979 New Zealand PGA Championship −3 (72-67-67-71=277) 3 strokes England Guy Wolstenholme
20 2 Jan 1980 New Zealand PGA Championship (2) −19 (67-63-64-67=261) 6 strokes Australia Rodger Davis

*Note: Tournament shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

New Zealand Golf Circuit playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponents Result
1 1974 New Zealand Open United States Bob Gilder, Australia Jack Newton Gilder won with birdie on third extra hole
Newton eliminated by par on second hole

Sources:[97]

Tournament Players Series wins (1)[edit]

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 24 Apr 1983 Tallahassee Open −6 (74-68-67-73=282) Playoff United States Greg Powers

Tournament Players Series playoff record (1–0)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1983 Tallahassee Open United States Greg Powers Won with birdie on first extra hole

Source:[65]

Other European wins (6)[edit]

Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up Ref.
27 Jun 1961 Bowmaker Tournament 66-66=132 2 strokes South Africa Denis Hutchinson, Australia Kel Nagle [20]
9 Jun 1962 Daks Tournament 68-68-72-70=278 Tied Wales Dai Rees [28]
19 Aug 1962 Engadine Open ?-?-72-66=271 1 stroke South Africa Bobby Verwey [32]
1 Sep 1962 Swiss Open 71-67-67-67=272 Playoff England Peter Butler, Belgium Flory Van Donck [34]
13 Jul 1963 The Open Championship 68-72-66-71=277 Playoff United States Phil Rodgers [98]
11 Oct 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship 37 holes United States Gene Littler [55]

Other New Zealand wins (5)[edit]

Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up Ref.
6 Nov 1954 New Zealand Open (as an amateur) 69-72-68-71=280 2 strokes Australia Bruce Crampton [2]
20 Nov 1960 Queens Park Invitation 66-67=133 8 strokes Australia Kel Nagle [17]
7 Oct 1961 Caltex Tournament 71-71-72-75=289 4 strokes Australia Kel Nagle [24]
18 Oct 1961 New Zealand PGA Championship 10 and 9 New Zealand Joe Paterson [25]
20 Oct 1962 Caltex Tournament 69-70-69-69=277 5 strokes Australia Kel Nagle [35]

Senior PGA Tour wins (25)[edit]

Legend
Senior major championships (2)
Other Senior PGA Tour (23)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 22 Mar 1987 Vintage Chrysler Invitational −3 (72-70-73-70=285) 4 strokes United States Butch Baird, Australia Bruce Crampton,
United States Dale Douglass, United States Howie Johnson,
United States Bobby Nichols, South Africa Gary Player,
United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez
2 29 Mar 1987 GTE Classic −8 (67-67-74=208) 4 strokes Australia Bruce Crampton
3 3 May 1987 Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic −8 (70-70-68=208) 1 stroke United States Dale Douglass
4 22 May 1988 NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative −14 (63-67-66=196) 4 strokes South Africa Harold Henning, United States Don Massengale
5 29 May 1988 Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic (2) −10 (69-68-69=206) 2 strokes United States Orville Moody
6 4 Jul 1988 Rancho Murieta Senior Gold Rush −9 (69-69-69=207) 2 strokes South Africa Gary Player
7 28 Aug 1988 Bank One Senior Golf Classic −10 (63-66-71=200) 1 stroke United States Dick Hendrickson
8 2 Oct 1988 Pepsi Senior Challenge −5 (70-69=139)* 1 stroke United States Dick Hendrickson, South Africa Harold Henning,
United States Bert Yancey
9 19 Feb 1989 GTE Suncoast Classic −9 (68-70-69=207) Playoff United States Jim Ferree, United States Dave Hill,
South Africa Harold Henning
10 21 May 1989 NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative (2) −17 (63-65-65=193) 5 strokes United States Don Bies, Australia Bruce Crampton
11 9 Jul 1989 Digital Seniors Classic -16 (65-70-65=200) 3 strokes United States Mike Hill
12 30 Jul 1989 Volvo Seniors' British Open −11 (70-68-65-66=269) 7 strokes United States Billy Casper
13 27 Aug 1989 Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Golf Classic (3) −13 (66-69-68=203) 1 stroke United States Charles Coody
14 1 Oct 1989 Fairfield Barnett Space Coast Classic −13 (66-70-67=203) 6 strokes United States Butch Baird
15 24 Jun 1990 Digital Seniors Classic (2) −13 (69-67-67=203) 2 strokes United States Lee Trevino
16 9 Dec 1990 GTE Kaanapali Classic −4 (65-71-70=206) 4 strokes United States George Archer, United States Lee Trevino
17 10 Feb 1991 GTE Suncoast Classic (2) −6 (68-72-70=210) 4 strokes United States George Archer, United States Lee Trevino
18 11 Oct 1992 Raley's Senior Gold Rush (2) −15 (71-65-65=201) 7 strokes South Africa Gary Player, United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez
19 18 Oct 1992 Transamerica Senior Golf Championship −16 (70-67-63=200) 1 stroke United States Dave Stockton
20 28 Mar 1993 Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic −8 (69-70-69=208) 1 stroke United States Jim Ferree
21 23 May 1993 Bell Atlantic Classic −6 (67-67-70=204) 1 stroke United States Dave Stockton
22 25 Jul 1993 Senior British Open (2) +3 (73-73-71-74=291) 1 stroke England Tommy Horton, South Africa Gary Player
23 5 Sep 1993 Quicksilver Classic −9 (74-65-68=207) 4 strokes United States Dave Stockton
24 29 Oct 1995 Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (2) −9 (69-67-68=204) Playoff United States Dave Stockton
25 27 Oct 1996 Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (3) −15 (64-65-69=198) 1 stroke United States Hale Irwin

*Note: The 1988 Pepsi Senior Challenge was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Source:[83]

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–8)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1987 PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational South Africa Gary Player Lost to birdie on first extra hole
2 1988 Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am United States Don Massengale, United States Orville Moody,
United States Bobby Nichols 		Moody won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1988 U.S. Senior Open South Africa Gary Player Lost 18-hole playoff;
Player: −4 (68),
Charles: −2 (70)
4 1989 GTE Suncoast Classic United States Jim Ferree, United States Dave Hill,
South Africa Harold Henning 		Won with birdie on third extra hole
Ferree and Hill eliminated by birdie on first hole
5 1989 General Tire Las Vegas Classic United States Charles Coody, United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez Coody won with birdie on second extra hole
6 1995 Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic United States Dave Stockton Won with birdie on third extra hole
7 1996 Las Vegas Senior Classic United States Jim Colbert, United States Dave Stockton Colbert won with par on fourth extra hole
Charles eliminated by par on first hole
8 1998 Home Depot Invitational United States Jim Dent Lost to par on third extra hole
9 1998 Kroger Senior Classic South Africa Hugh Baiocchi, United States Frank Conner,
United States Larry Nelson, United States Bruce Summerhays 		Baiocchi won with birdie on second extra hole
10 2001 Senior British Open Australia Ian Stanley Lost to par on first extra hole

Source:[83]

European Seniors Tour wins (1)[edit]

Legend
Senior major championships (1)
Other European Seniors Tour (0)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runners-up
1 25 Jul 1993 Senior British Open +3 (73-73-71-74=291) 1 stroke England Tommy Horton, South Africa Gary Player

European Seniors Tour playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 2001 Senior British Open Australia Ian Stanley Lost to par on first extra hole

Source:[99]

Other senior wins (13)[edit]

Source:[72]

Playoff record[edit]

PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1981 New Zealand PGA Championship Australia Terry Gale Lost to birdie on first extra hole

Major championships[edit]

Wins (1)[edit]

Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner-up
1963 The Open Championship 1 shot lead −7 (68-72-66-71=277) Playoff1 United States Phil Rodgers

1Defeated Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff (Charles 69-71=140, Rodgers 72-76=148).

Results timeline[edit]

Amateur

Tournament 1958 1959
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUT
The Amateur Championship QF

Professional

Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament T25 T15 T40 T45 CUT CUT 19 T29
U.S. Open T19 3 CUT CUT CUT T7 CUT
The Open Championship CUT 5 1 T17 CUT T37 CUT T2 2
PGA Championship T13 T19 T41 T2 T35
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Masters Tournament 17 CUT T22 T29 CUT CUT
U.S. Open T3 T13 CUT 11 CUT
The Open Championship T13 T18 T15 T7 CUT T12 CUT T43 T48 T10
PGA Championship T26 T13 T58 T73
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship T60 T35 CUT T47 WD T19 T20
PGA Championship
Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUT CUT CUT 71 CUT
PGA Championship
Tournament 2000 2001
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUT CUT
PGA Championship
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1976 Open Championship)
WD = withdrew
QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary[edit]

Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 5 15 9
U.S. Open 0 0 2 2 3 6 12 6
The Open Championship 1 2 0 4 6 13 34 20
PGA Championship 0 1 0 1 2 5 9 9
Totals 1 3 2 7 11 29 70 44
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 11 (1962 Masters – 1965 Masters)

Source:[6][7]

Senior major championships[edit]

Wins (2)[edit]

Year Championship Winning Score Margin Runner(s)-up
1989 Volvo Seniors' British Open −11 (70-68-65-66=269) 7 strokes United States Billy Casper
1993 Senior British Open (2) +3 (73-73-71-74=291) 1 stroke England Tommy Horton, South Africa Gary Player

Team appearances[edit]

Amateur

Professional

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "R. J. Charles to move to Christchurch". The Press. 24 July 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 6 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "N.Z. Open title to R. J. Charles". The Press. 8 November 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  3. ^ "N.Z. Golf Title to Bruce Crampton". The Age. 11 November 1954. p. 12.
  4. ^ "NZ Open win to Toogood". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 18 October 1956. p. 18. Retrieved 1 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Golf Test to Australians". Sydney Morning Herald. 30 September 1956. p. 30.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Brenner, Morgan G. (2009). The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008. Vol. 1. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Four seeded players in semi-finals". The Glasgow Herald. 6 June 1958. p. 4.
  8. ^ "Brabazon trophy for A. H. Perowne". The Glasgow Herald. 23 June 1958. p. 10.
  9. ^ "Ninety-six qualifiers for Open Championship - Thomson's record aggregate". The Glasgow Herald. 2 July 1958. p. 4.
  10. ^ "O'Connor's half-way lead of one stroke". The Glasgow Herald. 4 July 1958. p. 4.
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  12. ^ "N.Z. fourth In World Amateur Competition". The Press. 13 October 1958. p. 15. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bonallack & Saddler are only British winners". The Daily Telegraph. 9 November 1959. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "N.Z. golf team performed satisfactorily". The Press. 11 November 1959. p. 11. Retrieved 6 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Record Book 2nd World Amateur Golf Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy" (PDF). World Amateur Golf Council. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  16. ^ "R. J. Charles becomes professional golfer". The Press. 26 October 1960. p. 8. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles, 66, 67, wins invitation tournament". The Press. 21 November 1960. p. 6. Retrieved 5 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  18. ^ "Nagle Takes N.Z. Golf Title". The Canberra Times. Vol. 35, no. 9767. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 November 1960. p. 31. Retrieved 30 September 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Bleomfontein tourney". The Press. 6 February 1961. p. 14. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bowmaker tournament won by left-hander". The Glasgow Herald. 28 June 1961. p. 13.
  21. ^ "Hunt's fine form in play-off". The Glasgow Herald. 8 May 1961. p. 11.
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  23. ^ "Qualifiers for the last day". The Glasgow Herald. 14 July 1961. p. 11.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles wins by four strokes from Nagle". The Press. 9 October 1961. p. 17. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Unimpressive Display In Amateur Final". The Press. 19 October 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
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  27. ^ "Thomson's record aggregate". The Glasgow Herald. 7 May 1962. p. 4.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Rees tied with Charles". The Glasgow Herald. 11 June 1962. p. 3.
  29. ^ "French Open won by A. Murray". The Glasgow Herald. 19 July 1962. p. 10.
  30. ^ "O'Connors Irish hospitals win – Exciting duel with Charles". The Glasgow Herald. 23 July 1962. p. 4.
  31. ^ Horne, Cyril (13 August 1962). "Moffitt's easy win in Royal Gold – Certain of success before last round of games". The Glasgow Herald. p. 4.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b "Swiss tourney win to Charles". The Press. 21 August 1962. p. 18. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  33. ^ "Faulkner wins £1700 event". The Glasgow Herald. 27 August 1962. p. 4.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b Crawley, Leonard (3 September 1962). "Charles's eagle three gives him Swiss Open". The Daily Telegraph. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b "Finish of two 69s". The Press. 22 October 1962. p. 19. Retrieved 3 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  36. ^ "Player says victory one of his greatest". The Age. 5 November 1962. p. 18.
  37. ^ Jump up to: a b "United States retain Canada Cup". The Glasgow Herald. 12 November 1962. p. 4.
  38. ^ "Houston Classic 1963 Champion – Bob Charles". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
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  41. ^ "Masters title for B. J. Hunt". The Glasgow Herald. 1 July 1963. p. 4.
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  43. ^ "Charles wins by three strokes". The Press. No. 30239. 18 September 1963. p. 8. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  44. ^ Jump up to: a b Ward-Thomas, P.A. (29 October 1963). "Exciting play by United States". The Glasgow Herald. p. 6.
  45. ^ Jump up to: a b "Americans retain Canada Cup". The Glasgow Herald. 8 December 1964. p. 5.
  46. ^ Jump up to: a b "Canada Cup for South Africa". The Glasgow Herald. 4 October 1965. p. 6.
  47. ^ "Thomson's record eight N.Z. open win". The Press. No. 30914. 22 November 1965. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  48. ^ Jump up to: a b "United States victory by five strokes". The Glasgow Herald. 14 November 1966. p. 5.
  49. ^ "Charles sweeps to 13-stroke win". The Press. No. 31222. 21 November 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  50. ^ "Two 66s on final day to gain fourth victory". The Press. No. 31240. 12 December 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  51. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Gregson shines as U.S. win top trophy". The Guardian Journal. 13 November 1967. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "In the money". The Press. No. 31555. 18 December 1967. p. 30. Retrieved 2 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  53. ^ "Player wins close but quiet final at 36th hole". The Times, Monday, 14 October 1968; pg. 12; Issue 57381.
  54. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles's 260 set N.Z. golf record". The Press. No. 31879. 6 January 1969. p. 18. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  55. ^ Jump up to: a b "Need to close gap between groups". The Times, Monday, 13 October 1969; pg. 8; Issue 57689.
  56. ^ Jump up to: a b "Tour loner Barber wins open playoff". The Spokesman-Review. AP. 21 April 1970. p. 14.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles wins N.Z. Open by a stroke". The Press. No. 32467. 30 November 1970. p. 24. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  58. ^ Jump up to: a b "Fourth circuit win to Charles". The Press. No. 32804. 3 January 1972. p. 16. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
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  61. ^ Jump up to: a b Jacobs, Raymond (5 February 1973). "Revised Charles swing again pays dividends". The Glasgow Herald. p. 5. Retrieved 20 November 2020 – via Google News Archive.
  62. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles blasts way to great victory". The Press. No. 33386. 19 November 1973. p. 26. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  63. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles takes N.Z. Open with a strong finish". The Press. No. 33391. 26 November 1973. p. 26. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  64. ^ Jump up to: a b "Scots 17 shots behind after 6 hour crawl". The Glasgow Herald. 10 November 1972. p. 4.
  65. ^ Jump up to: a b Smith, Paul C. (25 April 1983). "Charles beats Powell in playoff". Tallahassee Democrat. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ^ "Bob Charles". European Tour. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015.
  67. ^ Jump up to: a b "Brilliant last-hole shot gives golf to Charles". The Press. 4 December 1978. p. 30. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  68. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bob Charles stays calm in P.G.A. to hold off Wolstenholme". The Press. 3 January 1979. p. 24. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  69. ^ Jump up to: a b "Charles easily wins P.G.A. golf title". The Press. 3 January 1980. p. 22. Retrieved 1 November 2023 – via Papers Past.
  70. ^ "Bowditch leads as Charles makes history in New Zealand". European Tour. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  71. ^ "Golf: Balance regained as Finch wins title". NZ Herald. 2 December 2007.
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  73. ^ "PGA Tour Champions recognizes Gary Player's Senior British Open wins as major titles". thegolfnewsnet.com. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
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  75. ^ "Charles to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame". PGA Tour. 9 July 2008. Archived from the original on 12 July 2008.
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  78. ^ "No. 45386". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 12 June 1971. p. 5998.
  79. ^ "No. 52768". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1991. p. 29.
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  84. ^ "Archer captures Lucky tourney". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). UPI. 1 February 1965. p. 9.
  85. ^ "Barnes wins play-off with 20-foot putt". The Glasgow Herald. 19 June 1978. p. 17.
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  87. ^ "Charles sweeps to 13-stroke win". The Press. No. 31222. 21 November 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  88. ^ "Charles goes to third golf win". The Press. No. 31236. 7 December 1966. p. 23. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  89. ^ "Two 66s on final day to gain fourth victory". The Press. No. 31240. 12 December 1966. p. 3. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  90. ^ "Jones worn down by pro's relentless golf". The Press. No. 31533. 22 November 1967. p. 19. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
  91. ^ "Charles and Thomson share golfing honours". The Press. No. 31537. 27 November 1967. p. 22. Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Papers Past.
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  112. ^ Jacobs, Raymond (26 September 1986). "England, Spain make a shock cup exit". The Glasgow Herald. p. 30.

External links[edit]

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