The Walter Hagen Story.

HAGEN, Walter; As told to Margaret Seaton Heck.

Item Number: 134631

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1956.

First edition of Hagen’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To my sweetheart Shirley Syme Golfingly Walter Hagen Feb. 3 1961.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Guy Fraumeni.

Walter Hagen was an American professional golfer and a major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century. His tally of 11 professional majors is third behind Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Hagen won the U.S. Open twice, and in 1922 he became the first native-born American to win the British Open, and won the Claret Jug three more times. He also won the PGA Championship a record-tying five times (all in match play), and the Western Open five times when it had near-major championship status. Hagen totaled 45 PGA wins in his career, and was a six-time Ryder Cup captain.