1940's PGA Tour :: Top 5 Players of the Decade

July 28, 2022

One of the most intriguing era’s of golf was the 1940’s on the PGA Tour. So many of the stars put up huge win totals even though many of them missed a couple of years while serving in the military during World War II. Let’s run down the top 5 players of the decade!

5. Lloyd Mangrum

Lloyd was known for being calm and cool on the golf course which earned him the nickname “Mr. Icicle.” He missed a couple years of his prime serving during World War II but still racked up 36 career wins with 19 of them coming during the 1940’s. His most notable win came in the 1946 U.S. Open at Canterbury Golf Club.

4. Jimmy Demaret

Jimmy Demaret was a sweet swinging Texan known for his low penetrating ball flight and his booming personality. He was Ben Hogan’s best friend on the tour and great friends with everyone. Jimmy was the first 3-time winner of the green jacket with two of his 3 Master’s victories coming during the 1940’s. He racked up 20 of his 26 career victories during this decade.

3. Sam Snead

Slammin’ Sammy Snead was one of if not the best player on the PGA Tour for the better part of 4 decades which spanned through the 1940’s. He amassed 32 of his 82 career wins during the decade. The World Golf Hall of Famer was known for being a cocky joker and was universally loved by the golf world. Some of his most notable victories in the 40’s include the 1949 Masters, 1942 and and 1949 PGA Championships, and the the 1946 Open Championship at the Old Course.

2. Byron Nelson

Byron was known for having a gentle personality and a knack for stringing together wins. He won 18 total tournaments in 1945 with 11 of them coming consecutively! He won 41 of his 52 total tournament victories in the 1940’s with his most notable wins coming by way of the 1942 Masters and 2 PGA Championship victories in 1940 and 1945. He was both the PGA Tour leading money winner and the Associated Press Male Athlete of the year in 1944 and 1945.

1. Ben Hogan

Ben Hogan was one of the best players on tour for the better part of 30 years but in the 1940’s he was by far the most dominant even with missing two full seasons in 1943 and 1944 while serving in the military during World War II. The Hawk was known for being rough around the edges personality wise but had a work ethic that was matched by none. He amassed 52 of his 64 career wins in 40’s despite missing two seasons. His most notable wins in the 1940’s came by way of the 1946 and 1948 PGA Championships and the 1948 US Open at Riviera Country Club which would later become known as “Hogan’s Alley.”

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