BYRON NELSON: A TRIBUTE

"ONE OF THE GREATEST GOLFERS WHO
EVER LIVED,"
SAYS ARNOLD PALMER

FROM THE USGA WEBSITE:

Byron Nelson’s competitive career in golf lasted only about 15 years prior to his retirement at the age of 34 in 1946. But his contributions to the game extended for 60 years beyond that and will continue as his legacy endures. Nelson, pictured right in his prime as a player, passed away on September 26 at the age of 94 at his ranch outside of Dallas.
Several of the records he set will probably never be broken, especially his 11 consecutive US PGA Tour wins in 1945 and 18 wins overall that year.
Ben Hogan, in 1948, and Tiger Woods, stretching from 1999 into 2000, both managed six in a row, but those streaks are the closest anyone has come to "Lord Byron," a nickname he received after his 1937 Masters victory.
Arnold Palmer called Nelson "one of the greatest players who ever lived."
"He retired too early," Tiger Woods said after hearing of Byron's death. "All he wanted to do was make enough money to buy his ranch. If he had kept playing like guys do now, more than likely, he would have won more tournaments than anyone."
"We have lost a giant in the game . . . someone who elevated the game in every way: as a player, an ambassador and a gentleman," said Ben Crenshaw.