RIP: Byron Nelson

[cartman]

One of golf's all-time greats has passed on. I got to meet him a couple of times, and he was the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet.

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Texas Golf Legend Byron Nelson Dead At 94

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Texan and former PGA Tour golfer John Byron Nelson Jr. has died.

Nelson, born Feb. 4, 1912 in Waxahachie, was found dead just after 1 p.m. inside his Roanoke home. He was 94. Nelson is survived by his wife Peggy.

Nelson, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame since 1974, is most known for winning 18 tournaments, 11 straight, in 1945, the season considered by many to be the greatest ever for any golfer.

He won his first major, The Masters, in 1937, just four years after turning pro. Lord Byron, as he was affectionately known, would later go on to win the U.S. Open in 1939, the PGA Championship in 1940 and 1945 and a second Masters in 1942.

In addition to winning the Vardon Trophy in 1939, Nelson played on two U.S. Ryder Cup teams and was a non-playing captain of the 1965 team.

Nelson retired in 1946 at the age of 34 but still played in a few tournaments from time to time.

In 1968, the Dallas Open was renamed the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and is the only tour stop named after a pro golfer. The Byron Nelson championship is held each spring at the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Las Colinas.