Amateur legend Jay Sigel dies at age 81, USGA confirms
The USGA confirmed his death, related to pancreatic cancer.
Sigel won the 1982 and '83 U.S. Amateurs and the 1979 British Amateur. He also won three U.S. Mid-Am titles (1982, '85 and '87) and competed in nine Walker Cups, the most in event history for the U.S., including twice as a playing captain.
Born and raised in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Sigel won 10 state amateurs, four state opens, and three times each in the Porter Cup, Sunnehanna Amateur and Northeast Amateur. He also competed 11 consecutive years, from 1978-88, at the Masters, making four cuts and earning low am honors three times. He was also low amateur in the 1984 U.S. Open and the 1980 Open Championship.
Upon turning professional late in his career, he captured eight victories on the PGA Tour Champions and was the 1994 Rookie of the Year.
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Herrington silenced the raucous crowd by stuffing a lob wedge to 6 feet and rolling in the winning birdie putt, which came with invitations to next year's U.S. Open and Masters. On the line Sunday was not only an extra major exemption, into next summer's Open Championship, but also an automatic spot on the 10-man U.S. Walker Cup team. English, who was competing in the BMW Championship, had texted Howell, a Georgia commit, frequently in recent days, each time with a similar message: Keep your foot on the gas, and don't let up for one second or somebody else will walk through that door. Herrington took the first step, leading 1 up after two holes, but as Herrington's ball-striking began to fall apart, Howell won each of the next three holes, eagled the par-4 seventh after driving the green and carried a 4-up advantage into the break, which surpassed two hours thanks to a 4-7 p.m. television window and Howell threatening to end things considerably early. 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And in a few weeks, he'll need to call out again for a return trip to California, specifically Cypress Point, site of the Walker Cup. Not to mention next April. His teachers, though, have been understanding. They know Howell has bigger plans.
