Oldest surviving Masters champion Doug Ford dies at 95

The Associated Press

7 years ago

In this April 8, 1957, file photo, Doug Ford, left, gets assistance from Jack Burke Jr., as he slips into the traditional green jacket worn after winning the Master golf tournament in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Horace Cort, File)

In this April 10, 1997, file photo, Doug Ford watches his shot during his opening round if the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Curtis Compton, File)

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Doug Ford, the oldest surviving Masters champion and a former PGA player of the year, has died. He was 95.

The PGA Tour announced Ford’s death, saying Ford’s family informed the tour that he died Monday night. Details of his death were not immediately available.

Ford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He won the 1955 PGA Championship, and then two years later won the Masters when he shot 66 in the final round to rally from a three-shot deficit to Sam Snead.

Doug Ford, 19-time PGA TOUR winner and World Golf Hall of Fame member who helped form the PGA TOUR, has passed away at age 95.https://t.co/41L6wJymks

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 15, 2018

Ford was the PGA player of the year that season. He collected the first of his 19 tour victories in 1952, and his last win was in 1963.

He played on the Senior Tour when it began in 1980, and he twice won a division for older players at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.