Jerry McGee

Jerry McGee
McGee in 1980
Personal information
Born(1943-07-21)July 21, 1943
New Lexington, Ohio
DiedMarch 31, 2021(2021-03-31) (aged 77)
Height5 ft 9.5 in (1.77 m)
Weight160 lb (73 kg; 11 st)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegeOhio State University
Turned professional1966
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins5
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour4
Other1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT5: 1972
PGA ChampionshipT6: 1977
U.S. OpenT13: 1971
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Jerry McGee (July 21, 1943 – March 29, 2021) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

McGee was born in New Lexington, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University and was a member of the golf team. He turned pro in 1966 and joined the PGA Tour in 1967.

McGee won four PGA Tour events in the latter half of the 1970s. In 1979, he won twice: a one shot win over Jerry Pate at the Kemper Open, and a couple of months later a one stroke win over Jack Renner at the Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open. His best finish in a major championship was T-5 at the 1972 Masters Tournament.[1] He was a member of the 1977 Ryder Cup team.

McGee was known for his superb play around the greens. At 5 feet 9½ inches tall and a slim 160 pounds, distance in the ball striking phase of the game was a constant problem for him. He was also plagued by injuries and illnesses during his career. McGee retired from the PGA Tour in 1981 largely due to health problems. He took a club pro job at Oak Tree Country Club in Pennsylvania just across the border from his East Palestine, Ohio home.

McGee returned to competitive golf on the Senior PGA Tour in 1993 upon reaching the age of 50. His best finish in this venue is a T-2 at the 1997 BankBoston Classic. In 1999, he underwent treatment for oropharyngeal, squamous cell carcinoma.

McGee's son, Mike McGee, a golf agent/businessman, and one-time record-setting pitcher at Mt. Union College, is married to LPGA Tour golfer Annika Sörenstam.[2][3]

McGee died March 29, 2021, in Florida at the age of 77.[4]

  1. ^ "Jerry McGee". Golf Major Championships.
  2. ^ "Sorenstam engagement 'a lovely surprise'". PGA Tour. August 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  3. ^ Sirak, Ron (November 23, 2007). "Newsmakers 2007: Annika Sorenstam". Golf World. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  4. ^ Ross, Helen (April 1, 2021). "PGA Tour winner and Ryder Cup player Jerry McGee passes away at 77". PGA Tour. Retrieved April 2, 2021.