Snead, Sam (Samuel Jackson Snead) (snēd), 1912–2002, American golfer, b. Ashwood, Va. An outstanding high school athlete, he turned to golf after injuring a hand as a football player. He attracted attention with several professional victories in 1937 and won his first major title, the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) championship, in 1942. After serving in World War II, he returned to the game and won (1946) the British Open title. In 1949, Snead won the PGA and the Masters. He gained his third PGA in 1951 and additional Masters titles in 1952 and 1954. Snead (teamed with Arnold Palmer in 1960 and with Jimmy Demaret in 1961) figured in two Canada Cup victories for the United States. Nicknamed "Slamming Sammy" because of his graceful but powerful tee shots, he was a leading PGA money winner and won 81 PGA tournaments, more than any other golfer in history.

Snead, Sam(uel Jackson)

(born May 27, 1912, near Hot Springs, Va., U.S.—died May 23, 2002, Hot Springs) U.S. golfer. Snead reportedly never took a golf lesson. Known for his straw hat and his flowing, powerful swing, “Slammin' Sam” won the PGA Championship (1942, 1949, 1951), the British Open (1946), and the Masters (1949, 1952, 1954) and was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team (eight times—including 1969, when he captained the squad but did not play). Snead won more PGA tournaments (82) than any other player in history, and his total number of world tournament wins is estimated at 135.

Snead, (Samuel Jackson) Sam (1912– ) golfer; born in Hot Springs, Va. Nicknamed, "Slammin' Sammy," his smooth, uncomplicated style won him a wide following and three Masters tournaments (1949, 1952, 1954) and three Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) titles (1942, 1949, 1951). He finished second in the U.S. Open four times but never won. He retired with more PGA tournament victories (84) than any golfer in history.