Golfing great Sam Snead dies

FAR HILLS, N.J., May 23 (UPI) -- Sam Snead, the PGA Tour's all-time leader with 81 victories, died Thursday following complications from a stroke.

He was four days shy of his 90th birthday.

Known as "Slammin Sammy," Snead has been credited with 135 worldwide wins, including three Masters, three PGA Championships and one British Open. He also won tour-sponsored events in six different decades.

Last month, Snead was the lone honarary starter at Augusta National Golf Club, a position he held each year since 1984.

Ironically, Snead died during the week of the Memorial, the PGA Tour event that honors the game's legends.

Snead is remembered for having one of the sweetest swings in history. It helped him to several records, including eight wins at one event in Greensboro.

A native of Hot Springs, Va., Snead claimed his eighth Greensboro title in 1965. The victory came at the age of 52 years, 10 months and 8 days, making him the oldest winner in tour history.

Snead also is the oldest player to make a cut, doing so at the 1979 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic, when he was 67 years, 2 months and 21 days.

That same year, Snead became the youngest pro to shoot his age or better, carding a 66 and 67 at the Quad Cities Open. One of Snead's greatest years was 1950, when he won 11 times -- the third-highest total in tour history. His stroke average was 69.23 over 96 rounds.

Snead also had his share of disappointments, finishing second at the U.S. Open four times.