Don Massengale

Donald Ray Massengale Sr. (April 23, 1937 – January 2, 2007) was an American professional golfer who won tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.

Don Massengale
Personal information
Full nameDonald Ray Massengale Sr.
NicknameBugs Bunny[1]
Born(1937-04-23)April 23, 1937
Jacksboro, Texas
DiedJanuary 2, 2007(2007-01-02) (aged 69)
Conroe, Texas
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegeTexas Christian University
Turned professional1960
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins8
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour2
PGA Tour Champions2
Other4
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT45: 1968
PGA Championship2nd: 1967
U.S. OpenT15: 1972
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Career

Massengale was born in Jacksboro, Texas. He won the 1958 Texas Amateur Championship. He played collegiately at Texas Christian University and turned pro in 1960.

Massengale's two wins on the PGA Tour came in 1966 and he finished that year 26th on the money list. He finished among the top-60 money winners on the PGA Tour in 1962, 1966 and 1967. His best finish in a major was a 2nd at the 1967 PGA Championship where he lost to Don January in an 18-hole playoff (69-71).[2]

Massengale worked as a club pro in the Houston area in his 40s – between his PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour careers. He won twice on the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour), the 1990 Greater Grand Rapids Open and the 1992 Royal Caribbean Classic.

Massengale and wife Judy had two sons, Donnie and Mark, both of whom are golf teaching professionals. He also had a younger brother, Rik, who played 13 years on the PGA Tour.

Massengale died of a heart attack in Conroe, Texas.[3]

Amateur wins
  • 1958 Texas Amateur Championship

Professional wins (8)

PGA Tour wins (2)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1 Jan 23, 1966 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am −5 (70-67-76-70=283) 1 stroke United States Arnold Palmer
2 Oct 2, 1966 Canadian Open −4 (70-70-70-70=280) 3 strokes United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez

PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1967 PGA Championship United States Don January Lost 18-hole playoff;
January: −3 (69),
Massengale: −1 (71)

Other wins (4)

Senior PGA Tour wins (2)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 Sep 16, 1990 Greater Grand Rapids Open −8 (69-65=134)* 1 stroke United States Terry Dill, United States Dave Hill,
United States Larry Laoretti
2 Feb 2, 1992 Royal Caribbean Classic −8 (70-70-65=205) 1 stroke South Africa Gary Player

*Note: The 1990 Greater Grand Rapids Open was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
1 1988 Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am New Zealand Bob Charles, United States Orville Moody,
United States Bobby Nichols		 Moody won with birdie on first extra hole

Results in major championships
Tournament 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament T49 T45
U.S. Open CUT T36 CUT
PGA Championship T28 2 CUT
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Masters Tournament 55
U.S. Open T15 CUT
PGA Championship CUT T24 CUT T22
Tournament 1980 1981 1982
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
PGA Championship CUT

Note: Massengale never played in The Open Championship.

  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

U.S. national team appearances
  • Diamondhead Cup/PGA Cup: 1973 (winners), 1982 (winners)

References
  1. Desmith, David. "Golf's Animal Kingdom of Player Nicknames". Links Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  2. "Don Massengale". Golf Major Championships.
  3. "Don Massengale, 69, Professional Golfer, Is Dead". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 11, 2007.
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