PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., June 12 (UPI) -- Miller Barber, who won 35 times on the PGA and Champions tours but never a major event, has died, a PGA official said Wednesday. He was 82.
Barber passed away Tuesday. Details were not provided by PGA officials.
"We are saddened by the passing of Miller Barber. He was a wonderful player, who made his mark on the PGA Tour with 11 victories and then really excelled on Champions Tour becoming one of its best players in the tour's formative years," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement.
"Miller and the Champions Tour's other early stars helped establish the tour and make it the tremendous success it has become. Golf has lost a great man and competitor."
Barber played in nearly 1,300 starts in PGA and Champions events. The closest he came to winning a major was the 1969 U.S. Open when he led after three rounds, but stumbled to a 78 in the final round and lost by three strokes.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
