Who's who: Lawson Little

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Who's who: Lawson Little

  • Name:

    William Lawson Little Jr
  • Also known as:

    Cannonball
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1910-1968]. Born on June 23, 1910 in Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island. Died on Feb 1, 1968 in Monterey, California (aged 57).
  • Original/Home Club:

    Presidio GC, CA.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1936

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): US Open (1940). Amateur MAJORS (4): US Amateur (1934, '35); British Amateur (1934, '35). PGA Tour wins (8). Walker Cup player (1934). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1980).

Did you know?

Nicknamed "Cannonball", Little won both the US and British Amateur championships two years in a row (1934, 1935); at the time all four events were contested solely on a match play basis. He was presented with the 1935 Sullivan Award as the outstanding US amateur athlete of the year.

Top tournaments won by Lawson Little

1941
America
Willow Springs, TX
273 (-11)
$1,200
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Venue

Willow Springs, TX

Score

273 (-11)

Prize money

$1,200

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Texas Open (Feb 7-9). Second-placed Ben Hogan (USA) finished 3 shots behind Lawson Little (USA). The event saw both rain and snow, and required the application of winter rules. [Willow Springs GC, San Antonio, TX].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

282 (+2)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 5-8). Second-placed Clayton Heafner (USA) finished 1 shot behind Little (USA). [Los Angeles CC, Los Angeles, CA].

1940
Majors
287 (-1)
$1,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

287 (-1)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (44th) (June 6-9). Little (USA) beat Gene Sarazen (USA) in an 18-hole playoff: Little 70 (-2), Sarazen 73 (+1). [Canterbury GC, Beachwood, Ohio].

1937
America
284 (-4)
$700
PGA of America

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

$700

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Played as the Shawnee Open (July 12-14; last year as a PGA Tour event). Second-placed Jimmy Thomson (Scot/USA) and Leo Mallory (USA) finished 1 shot behind Lawson Little (USA). [Shawnee CC & Inn, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania; at the time the Inn was known as the Buckwood Inn].

1936
America
St Andrews, Ont.
271 (-9)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Venue

St Andrews, Ont.

Score

271 (-9)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (Sept 10-12). Second-placed Jimmy Thompson (Scot/USA) finished 8 shots behind 26-year-old Lawson Little (USA), who recorded his first win as a professional. [St Andrews GC, North York, Toronto, Ont. This course no longer exists].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

4 & 2

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Amateur Championship (39th) (Sept 9-14). Defending champion W. Lawson Little (USA) beat Walter Emery (USA) 4 and 2 in the 36-hole final. [The Country Club, Pepper Pike, nr Cleveland, OH].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

1 hole

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

R&A

The Amateur Championship (46th). Little (USA) beat Dr William Tweddell (Eng) by 1 hole in the final to win this title for the second straight year. [Royal Lytham & St Annes GC, nr Blackpool, Lancs].

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

8 & 7

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Amateur Championship (38th) (Sept 10-15). W. Lawson Little Jr (USA) beat David Goldman (USA) 8 and 7 in the 36-hole final. [The Country Club, Brookline, Boston, Mass.].

1934
Amateur
14 & 13
n/a
R&A

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

Little, Lawson

Score

14 & 13

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

R&A

The Amateur Championship (45th). W. Lawson Little (USA) beat James Wallace (Scot) by 14 & 13 in the final. [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].

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