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Billy Casper played in the Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player era, and while he held his own in such illustrious company, Casper didn’t earn the accolades he richly deserved.
Casper won three majors – the 1955 US Open, the 1966 US Open where he made up a seven-shot deficit to Palmer over the last nine holes and beat him by four shots in the 18-hole playoff, and the 1970 Masters.
Casper’s 51 is seventh on the all-time list of USPGA tournament winners behind Sammy Snead (82), Tiger Woods (79), Nicklaus (73), Ben Hogan (64), Palmer (63), and Byron Nelson’s 52.
To put those stats in perspective, Phil Mickelson’s the next closest of the current golfers with 42, so the leftie won’t be troubling the above any time soon, if ever.
Casper’s strengths were his short game, and a ‘magic’ putter. Hogan once whispered in Casper’s ear: “Tell me Billy, how do you putt like that?”
But while Casper was never readily recognised by the media and golfing public for his proven talent, his peers are unstinting in their praise.
“Billy Casper was one of the greatest family men – be it inside the game of golf or out – I have had the fortunate blessing to meet,” Nicklaus said.
“Golf was never the most important thing in Billy’s life, family was. But as a golfer, Billy was a fantastic player, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for being one”
“When I looked up at a leaderboard, I wasn’t just looking to see where a Palmer or a Player or a Trevino was, I was also checking to see where Billy Casper was.”
A family man?
Casper and Shirley, his wife of 62 years, had 11 children, six of them adopted, plus 71 grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
A family reunion was an epic.
“Billy was one of the true gentlemen of the game, and a great competitor. He was a better player than most gave him credit, and he’s going to be sorely missed in the golfing world,” Palmer said.
Player also paid his respects.
“I played a lot with Billy, and I always thought Billy had a wonderful short game. The way he managed the golf course – he had tremendous course management, which not a lot of people talk about,” Player said.
To prove the legend’s praise, Casper played in eight consecutive Ryder Cups from 1961, and captained the team in 1979. His 23.5 individual points in the coveted Cup remain an American record.
And to top off a stellar career, Billy Casper won at least one tournament every year for 16 years. Only Nicklaus and Palmer beat that record with 17.
So rest in peace Billy Casper, and thanks for the many memories.
This obituary of Billy Casper was originally published here