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SPRINGVILLE — Golf legend Billy Casper, whose 51 career victories on the PGA Tour rank seventh, passed away Saturday at his home in Springville. He was 83.
A family member said Casper had undergone multiple heart surgeries and procedures the past nine months. Shirley, his wife of 62 years, was at his side, along with other family members.
Casper won at least one tournament a year on the PGA Tour for 17 straight years, from 1956 through 1973, highlighted by major championship wins at the 1959 U.S. Open, the 1966 U.S. Open — where he made up a seven-shot deficit on Arnold Palmer in the last nine holes of regulation and won in an 18-hole playoff the next day — and the 1970 Masters.
He played on eight Ryder Cup teams for the United States and scored more points, 23 and a half, than any player in American history. He also captained the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1979.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Read more about Casper's life and golf career at www.deseretnews.com.
Contributing: Rod Zundel
