Lloyd Mangrum: Soldier, Golfer, Mr. Icicle

]On November 17th, 1973, Lloyd Mangrum, the US Open champion of 1946, died at age 59. Generally seen with a cigarette in his mouth and his hair parted down the middle, he had a reputation for being a hard man, but fair. He was what mean were suppose to be, Mangrum was at the Invasion of Normandy and found the struggles of golf more simplistic compared to war. Sadly his life was cut short by heart problems which eventually led to a heart attack & his death in 1973.

"I dont suppose that any of the pro and amateur golfers who were combat soldiers, Marines or sailors will soon be able to think of a three-putt green as one of the really bad troubles in life."

–Lloyd Manrum

Mangrum the Solidier

As a Staff Sergeant in the Third Army during the second World War, Mangrum saw raw action. During the invasion of Normandy, his jeep overturned and his arm was broken in two places. Mangrum also suffered shrapnel wounds to his chin and knee during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home from the war in 1945 with four battle stars and two Purple Hearts. Later, when recuperating at St Andrews, he won a tournament for British-based American GIs, before returning to the US.

"Golf's Forgotten Man" - Jim Murray

Lloyd was often overshadowed by other stars of the game such as Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Jimmy Demaret yet still achieved 36 tour titles. He won the Vardon Trophy in both 1951 and 1953 while being the money leader in 1951. He was also involved in the longest play-off in USPGA Tour history when, in 1949, he and Cary Middlecoff agreed to tie the Motor City Open when they remained deadlocked after 11 tie holes, with darkness rapidly closing in. Sports writer Jim Murray famously tabbed Mangrum, Golf's forgotten man... For his efforts and contributions to the game he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.