Ky Laffoon (December 23, 1908 – March 17, 1984) was an American professional golfer. (Birthdate also stated as December 24, 1907.)

Career

In 1908, Laffoon was born in Zinc, Arkansas

He won nine times on the PGA Tour, with four of the victories coming in 1934. He played on the 1935 Ryder Cup team.

In 1939, his wife Irene threatened to leave him if he could not control his temper on golf course. Next tournament after two rounds he came to 15th hole and his ball was buried in honeysuckle. After missing three shots, he starting shouting cuss words that all the spectators could hear. His wife was one of the spectators and headed for the clubhouse after the outburst. Ky ran after her and pleaded that he wasn't cussing at his golf game, he just hates honeysuckle.

In 1984, he died in Springfield, Missouri.

In popular culture

The song by Honky Tonk artist Dan Whitaker and written by Pete Covitz entitled "Ky Laffoon's Last Stand" documents his life.

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins (9)

• 1933 (1) Nebraska Open

• 1934 (4) Atlanta Open, Hershey Open, Glens Falls Open, Eastern Open Championship

• 1935 (1) Phoenix Open

• 1936 (1) Inverness Invitational Four-Ball (with Walter Hagen)

• 1938 (1) Cleveland Open

• 1946 (1) Montgomery Invitational

Source:

Other wins

this list is probably incomplete

• 1933 Utah Open

• 1938 Miami International Four-Ball (with Dick Metz)

• 1950 Illinois PGA Championship

Results in major championships

Note: Laffoon never played in The Open Championship. NYF = tournament not yet founded NT = no tournament WD = withdrew DQ = disqualified CUT = missed the half-way cut R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

• Most consecutive cuts made – 14 (1933 U.S. Open – 1938 Masters)

• Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1935 PGA – 1936 U.S. Open)

References