Golf legend Jay Sigel, who turned professional aged 50 and win eight tournaments, dies aged 81 from cancer
JAY SIGEL has sadly died at the age of 81 from cancer.
The golf legend rose to fame after turning pro when he was 50 years old.
4
4
4
4
In 1979, he won the British Amateur, which was played at the Hillside Golf Club in Southport.
He won back-to-back US Amateurs in 1982 and 1983 while also claiming victory at the US Mid-Amateur in 1983,
He also won two out of the next three US Mid-Amateurs.
Sigel excelled on the course after turning pro, as he won eight tournaments.
He joined what is now recognised as the PGA Tour Champions with his most notable win in the Senior Tour Championship in 1996.
During his pro career, he won over £6.6million.
He has been hailed as one of the best amateurs of all time by the USGA's president-elect, Kevin Hammer.
He said: "Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down.
"He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from."
Watch throwback moment Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty duelled child Rory McIlroy on the golf course
2025 US Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith said: "Incredible player. Incredible friend. Incredible mentor.
"He was special. He was just an icon in amateur golf."
Sigel died from pancreatic cancer on Saturday and the U.S. Golf Association announced it on Sunday.
Fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to the unique great.
One posted: "Very sad news to hear that Jay Sigel, one of America's finest amateur golfers."
A second commented: "Pennsylvania golf legend. RIP Jay Sigel."
A third wrote: "RIP Jay Sigel. A Pennsylvania golf legend."
A fourth added: "RIP to Jay Sigel, one of the great amateurs in the modern era."
He featured in 11 Masters and made the cut in four of them.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Amateur Weaver practices with Koepka at 'surreal' US Open
Tyler Weaver had just completed a practice round with two-time champion Brooks Koepka. Then came a warm down session on a range full of the world's best golfers - all watched by his mum, dad and has taken a surreal turn for the 20-year-old amateur from Suffolk, who makes his major debut in the US Open, which starts here at Oakmont on time sport runs in the family. Tyler's dad Jason is a former leading flat racing jockey and his grandad Eric was a professional footballer for Swindon such thoroughbred sporting credentials, Tyler is currently proving a big golf hit at Florida State University. And by finishing joint third in a 36-hole US Open qualifier in Atlanta, he can now rub shoulders with the world's best in Pennsylvania. It is a dream scenario."One hundred percent," Tyler told BBC Sport in an interview that you can listen to in full on 5 Live's US Open preview programme on Wednesday from 21:00 BST. "Playing a major has always been a dream of mine, so to be here, it's a little bit surreal. But I'm going to go out and compete and do as good as I can."Remaining composed down the finishing stretch in Atlanta, when he knew the goal of playing his maiden major was within touching distance, was proof of the rapid progress he is making."Obviously I was nervous," he admitted. "Knowing how much each shot meant and what it could lead to. So I just stuck to my processes and I'm just really happy to be here."It definitely gives you a lot of confidence and you can learn from being under those pressure situations and that's what I'm going to keep trying to do."His 22-year-old brother Max will be his caddie at one of the sport's toughest venues. They both started playing golf in Newmarket at an early age."We were always playing," Max told me. "And Tyler always seemed to just keep up with me, in whatever it was."So his golf swing was always a little bit better than mine. And he's now even faster than me. So I'm just trying to hunt him down."Younger siblings can get on your nerves. "They are annoying, yes," Max laughed. "But I couldn't be prouder. It's a special week being here."Dad and mum Fiona will be walking every step of the way when Tyler tees off late on the first day at 14:31 local time (19:31 BST). "It's fiercely competitive in the family," said Jason, who rode more than 1,000 winners before retiring from racing aged 30 in 2002."They both picked up a club early. They saw me going out, chopping it around, and they're much better than I could ever dream of being."By practicing alongside Koepka, the US Open winner in 2017 and 2018, Tyler could tap into one of the championship's most successful minds."He went to Florida State as well," Tyler pointed out. "So he likes to help out the programme and I'm here with my head coach, Trey Jones."And luckily enough, Brooks was able to get in a practice round with me. And being out there with him was really special, learning off him."I was asking a lot of questions and yeah, it was amazing. He just said a really big thing at US Opens is keeping doubles off the card."He said, it takes only one hole to make up from a bogey. But a double bogey is two birdies. And birdies out here are really tough, so that's a big thing."Tyler's every move will be watched carefully at the Links Club in Newmarket, where members raised money to buy equipment for their most promising junior to help develop his game."It means a lot to me and I just want to thank all those people back at home that have helped me since I was a young kid," said the former English Under-18 champion. "I can't thank them enough."Being based in the US, Tyler is welcoming the fact that this week is proving something of a family reunion. But he is also ambitious to perform well in golf's most challenging arena."Obviously making the cut and getting into contention would be great," Tyler said. "But being out here with my family after being away from them for so long is really special."And there is no wiping the smile from the face of his dad. "We are excited," Jason beamed. "We're ready, and looking forward to the week."A late start and then an early one (08:45 local on Friday). It's the bounce of the ball. We're going to give it our best shot."The boys are in great condition. I'm extremely proud, and they're ready."
Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Telegraph
Shane Lowry interview: Going from Oakmont to Portrush is taking the p---
The muddling buffoonery of the US Golf Association certainly did not assist in this mood of weirdness. In fact, the hapless organisers of America's national championship actually managed to make the scenario yet more surreal. On the 12th, Lowry was informed by referees they were unsure if Johnson had sustained a penalty shot for inadvertently making his ball move as he addressed it on the fifth green. Initially, he was absolved of blame but now they were having a rethink and would reach the decision at the end. So Lowry did not know at that stage if he was one behind Johnson or level with the burly South Carolinian. 'Yeah people have said that was a distraction, but I've never used that as an excuse. It would have definitely been more distracting for Dustin but he coped with the situation and ensured it didn't matter [a shot was eventually added to his scorecard, but he still prevailed by three]. 'He handled his emotions and I didn't, especially down those last few holes [he dropped three shots in the last five holes to post a 76]. And that's what I took away from that. I go back a much different golfer and person.' 'I wound myself up after third round at Augusta' That is undoubtedly the case, but with a character who wears his green heart on his sleeve there remain flashpoints. He has played admirably this season and achieved a long-time aim by cracking the world top 10 – albeit briefly – last month. But at the Masters he hit the headlines for berating the press for asking him about Rory McIlroy when he himself, was in contention for the Green Jacket and then at the next major, the US PGA, for shouting 'f--- this place' – though in mitigation, he has never been a fan of Quail Hollow. In between, he refused to talk to the media after finishing runner-up in Philadelphia, a $20 million event he really should have won. 'I don't know, I wound myself up after the third round there at Augusta,' he says. 'I was right in the hunt but bogeyed the last two. And when I was walking to the clubhouse I could see the guys waiting to speak to me and I thought 'ah s---, they just want to quiz me about Rory'. It's difficult. 'I chatted to one of the media people on Tour who has worked at the tennis and they said, 'win or lose, they have to do media duties, but get time to cool down'. I think that should be the case with us, but I don't want to make a big thing of it as that type of thing only happens once or twice a year. 'Look, after the Masters and that final round [in which he fired an 82] it was a strange feeling. I was so happy for my mate in completing the career grand slam, but I felt terrible about my game. I went to Hilton Head to play the next week, yet just didn't want to be there. But I've bounced back and am determined not to let that define my season. There's too much to play for.' Naturally, the return to Portrush has long been circled on the calendar and the recollections will flood back, especially of his grandmother, Emily, who revealed on the Irish news that she got stuck into the brandy to calm her nerves. 'She was 88 the other week, still going strong and I hope she has cause to crack open the brandy again,' Lowry says. 'It's funny, because there is some apprehension as I know I'll go there with the spotlight on me, although as Rory has the Green Jacket maybe he'll lift some of the pressure off me. 'I'm often asked how I can top 2019 and I have no idea. I won by six, so maybe win by seven? But that can wait. I have Oakmont before that.'
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
US Open release incredible video of army of lawnmowers to tackle rough as stars brand conditions ‘unplayable'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EVEN the world's best players are going to struggle to get out of the rough as the US Open tees off at Oakmont this week. The PGA Tour's top hitters will battle it out around the Pennsylvania course starting this Thursday - and a video of the thick rough being tamed by greenkeepers has shown just how tricky it will be. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 An army of greenkeepers took to US Open course Oakmont to tame the rough ahead of the tournament Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf 8 The staff mowed back the five-inch rough with precision Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf 8 Players have called the rough 'unplayable' Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf 8 Okamont is one of the hardest courses to play in America Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf An army of Oakmont Country Club greenkeeper armed with lawnmowers have been wading through the rough to try and make things slightly earier. But the conditions still appear to be about as tough as it gets, with players aware they will need to do everything they can to keep the ball on the fairway in the year's third major. Videos circulating on social media show that a ball dropped from knee height into the rough is almost completely lost in the thick stuff. While players have voiced their concerns for just how difficult it will be to play in the conditions this week. READ MORE IN GOLF AMAZING PLAQUE STORY Full-time dentist to compete with McIlroy and Scheffler at US Open Tyrrell Hatton shared a video of a practice round that showed him struggling to even see his ball in the long grass. And the world number 24 had to give it his all just to be able to knock the ball back onto the fairway with a wedge in hand. Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau told his YouTube channel: "This course doesn't just challenge your game, it challenges your sanity." Adding: "This is the hardest this golf course could ever play right now.' 8 Tyrrell Hatton showed just how hard it is to find your ball in the Oakmont rough Credit: X @pingtour 8 Hatton struggled to get the ball back onto the fairway Credit: X @pingtour CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While three-time major champion Jordan Spieth said: "This course is built to be like this. 'So they're not doing a whole lot different to the golf course. Jason Weaver is super proud as son Tyler qualifies for US Open alongside Rory McIlroy "You hit a good shot, you get rewarded for it here. And if you don't, you're in big trouble. It's pure golf, no funny business about it.' Jhonattan Vegas, who finished T5 at the PGA Championship last month, even branded the rough as "unplayable". The USGA have been criticised in recent years for making the US Open courses too hard, but some fans enjoy seeing the top pros battle to make par - seeing it as more familiar to their own game. The rough on Oakmont stands at 5 INCHES tall, with the course trimmed to ensure that is uniform throughout all 18 holes. The course crew have detailed that they even mow the grass in a specific way to ensure it doesn't lay over itself and allow the ball to rest on top - making the rough is as punishing as possible. All 156 players will take swing at trying to beat the course when the action gets underway on Thursday. World number one Scottie Scheffler remains the favourite to lift the trophy after he earned his third major title at the PGA Championship in North Carolina last month. While DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, John Rahm and Ludvig Aberg are all amongst the top contenders for the title too. 8 Bryson DeChambeau explained how hard it it to play out of the Oakmont rough Credit: Getty
