Jim Ferrier

James B. Ferrier (February 24, 1915 – June 13, 1986) was an Australian professional golfer from Manly, New South Wales.

Ferrier was born in Sydney, Australia. He was a runner up in the 1931 Australian Open at the age of sixteen and won the Australian Amateur title in 1935, 1936, 1938 and 1939. He was also victorious in the Australian Open as an amateur in 1938 and 1939. He was runner-up in the British Amateur at St Andrews in 1936.

In 1940, Ferrier went to the United States where he turned professional. His most significant win came at the PGA Championship, one of golf's four major championships, in 1947. He was the first Australian to win a major. He later led Jimmy Demaret by three shots with six holes to play in the 1950 Masters, finishing second. He was also runner up at the 1960 PGA Championship. His other victories included the Canadian Open in 1950 and 1951.

In June 1954, he appeared on the television game show "You Bet Your Life" hosted by Groucho Marx, of Marx Brothers fame. Paired with Marilyn Pierce, a dog trainer and former model, he showed a conservative betting style and great charm, as evidenced by this short exchange with Groucho:

:Groucho: "I play golf too, you know. What is your handicap, Jim?":Ferrier: "Well, as a pro, I don't have a handicap.":Groucho: "Well congratulations. How is it a tall, handsome man like you isn't married?":Ferrier: "I'm married. I have a wife.":Groucho: "You just said you didn't have a handicap. Haven't you got the same handicap that fifty million other men have?":Ferrier: "Well, I don't consider my wife a handicap."

Ferrier was renowned as an outstanding putter. He eventually became a U.S. Citizen in 1944. He died in California.

PGA Tour wins (18)

*1944 (1) Oakland Open
*1947 (2) St. Paul Open, PGA Championship
*1948 (1) Miami International Four-Ball (with Cary Middlecoff)
*1949 (3) Grand Rapids Open, Kansas City Open, Miami International Four-Ball (with Cary Middlecoff)
*1950 (3) St. Paul Open, Canadian Open, Inverness Invitational Four-Ball (with Sam Snead)
*1951 (5) St. Petersburg Open, Miami Beach Open, Jacksonville Open, Canadian Open, Fort Wayne Open
*1952 (2) Empire State Open, Inverness Invitational Four-Ball (with Sam Snead)
*1961 (1) Almaden Open Invitational

Major championship is shown in bold.

Results in major championships

NT = No tournament
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF, F = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.

ee also

*Golfers with most PGA Tour wins