Gene Littler
Gene Littler (July 21, 1930 – February 15, 2019) was an American professional golfer and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Known for his calm temperament and smooth, rhythmic swing, he was nicknamed "Gene the Machine." He once said, golf is not about great shots, but about the best misses—the winners make the fewest mistakes.
Littler was born in San Diego, California. He excelled early, winning the 1953 U.S. Amateur and the California State Amateur, and played on the 1953 U.S. Walker Cup team. In 1954, he won a PGA Tour event as an amateur, a rare feat. He attended San Diego State University and served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954.
Turning professional in 1954, Littler’s breakthrough came in 1959 after changing his grip, when he won five PGA Tour events and finished second on the money list. He finished with 29 PGA Tour wins and a total of 54 professional victories. His lone major championship came at the 1961 U.S. Open, where he shot 68 in the final round to overtake Doug Sanders. He also finished runner-up at the Masters in 1970 and at the PGA Championship in 1977—the latter in the first sudden-death playoff used in a major.
Littler played for the United States in the Ryder Cup several times between 1961 and 1975, compiling a strong record. After turning 50, he joined the Senior PGA Tour (now the Champions Tour) and won eight times, plus additional victories in Japan and Australia.
On the personal side, Littler married Shirley Warren in 1951, and they had two children, Curt and Suzanne. He passed away in San Diego at age 88. Littler’s thoughtful approach to golf and his steady performance left a lasting mark on the game.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:31 (CET).