Rod Funseth
Encyclopedia
James Rodney Funseth was an American
professional golfer
who played on both the PGA Tour
and the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
).
Funseth was born and raised in Spokane, Washington
, the son of a men's clothing store operator. He attended Idaho State University
, but did not graduate. Funseth was known for being one of the game's long hitters in his time and for having a pessimistic attitude toward the game. Funseth claimed that his "I'll never be able to make that shot" mental attitude of lowered expectations helped motivate him to play better.
Funseth played full-time on the PGA Tour from 1963–1979, and won three tournaments during this period. The first event he won was the 1965 Phoenix Open Invitational. His second win came at the 1973 Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open. His final Tour win came in 1978 at the Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open. Funseth's best finish in a major championship
was T2 at the 1978 Masters Tournament
, won by Gary Player
.
Funseth became eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour after reaching his 50th birthday in April 1983. He had a great deal of success his first year on the Senior Tour winning the Hall of Fame Tournament
, the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf
(with Roberto De Vicenzo), and finishing second to Billy Casper
in a playoff at the U.S. Senior Open; however, this phase of his career would be cut short by terminal cancer.
Funseth died at the age of 52 at his home beside the 12th hole of the Silverado Country Club
in Napa, California
. He was survived by his wife Sandi and their two children, Lisa and Mark. In 1999, he was inducted posthumously into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who played on both the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
).
Funseth was born and raised in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, the son of a men's clothing store operator. He attended Idaho State University
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
, but did not graduate. Funseth was known for being one of the game's long hitters in his time and for having a pessimistic attitude toward the game. Funseth claimed that his "I'll never be able to make that shot" mental attitude of lowered expectations helped motivate him to play better.
Funseth played full-time on the PGA Tour from 1963–1979, and won three tournaments during this period. The first event he won was the 1965 Phoenix Open Invitational. His second win came at the 1973 Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open. His final Tour win came in 1978 at the Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open. Funseth's best finish in a major championship
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
was T2 at the 1978 Masters Tournament
1978 Masters Tournament
The 1978 Masters Tournament was a golf tournament held April 6-9 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Gary Player overcame a 7-shot deficit going into the final round to win his third Masters and ninth major championship...
, won by Gary Player
Gary Player
Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
.
Funseth became eligible to play on the Senior PGA Tour after reaching his 50th birthday in April 1983. He had a great deal of success his first year on the Senior Tour winning the Hall of Fame Tournament
Hall of Fame Tournament
The Hall of Fame Tournament was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour played only in 1983. It was played in Pinehurst, North Carolina at the Pinehurst Country Club . The purse for the tournament was US$150,000, with $25,000 going to the winner, Rod Funseth....
, the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf
Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf
The Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour. It is played annually in April currently in Savannah, Georgia at The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort. Liberty Mutual is the main sponsor of the tournament...
(with Roberto De Vicenzo), and finishing second to Billy Casper
Billy Casper
William Earl Casper, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s.-Early years:...
in a playoff at the U.S. Senior Open; however, this phase of his career would be cut short by terminal cancer.
Funseth died at the age of 52 at his home beside the 12th hole of the Silverado Country Club
Silverado Country Club
Silverado Resort is a census-designated place in Napa County, California, United States, centered on a tennis, golf and spa resort in the Napa Valley known as the Silverado Country Club. The population of the CDP was 1,095 at the 2010 census....
in Napa, California
Napa, California
-History:The name Napa was probably derived from the name given to a southern Nappan village whose people shared the area with elk, deer, grizzlies and cougars for many centuries, according to Napa historian Kami Santiago. At the time of the first recorded exploration into Napa Valley in 1823, the...
. He was survived by his wife Sandi and their two children, Lisa and Mark. In 1999, he was inducted posthumously into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame.
PGA Tour wins (3)
- 1965 Phoenix Open Invitational
- 19731973 PGA TourThe 1973 PGA Tour season was played from January 4 to December 1. The season consisted of 48 official money events. Jack Nicklaus won the most tournaments, seven, and there were seven first-time winners. The tournament results and award winners are listed below.-Tournament results:The following...
Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open - 19781978 PGA TourThe 1978 PGA Tour season was played from January 5 to November 5. The season consisted of 44 official money events. Tom Watson won the most tournaments, five, and there were seven first-time winners. The tournament results and award winners are listed below....
Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open
Other wins (3)
- 1964 Northwest OpenNorthwest OpenThe Northwest Open is golf tournament played in the Pacific Northwest, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
- 1973 Confidence Open
- 1977 Spalding Invitational