Hal Sutton achieved his dream ending his rookie season with a win in 1982

On this day, In 1982 Hal Sutton won his 1st PGA title at the Walt Disney World Golf Classic over Bill Britton. “It’s a dream come true from me” said Sutton after his record setting rookie season. He broke the heart of Britton, a winless three year pro, with a 15 foot putt on the fourth hole of the sudden death playoff. Sutton’s biggest help came in the second round where he carded a 63.

“It’s a dream come true from me” – Hal Sutton

Hal Sutton, the 1980 U.S. Amateur champion had two goals for his rookie season. Number one, he wanted to break Jerry Pate’s money-winning record, two get in the top 30 money winners, and three win a tournament. Two of the three had been completed just the week before his first triumph.

Sutton reached the playoff by making a 15 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole, finishing off a closing round of 67, which brought him from five shots off pace, for a 269 total, 19 strokes under par. Bill Britton would let his opportunity slip away but finally got a win in 1989 at the now defunct Centel Classic. Britton made the most of his Masters bid the following year finishing T-7.

This would be the start of a very successful career for Sutton who didn’t stop here. In 1983, he continued his winning ways with a victory at the Players Championship the next March. On August 7th, 1983 Sutton won the PGA Championship by one stroke over Jack Nicklaus.