Bob Murphy (golfer)


Robert Joseph Murphy, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was formerly a member of the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour. Murphy has won 21 tournaments as a professional.

Early years

Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was a standout pitcher in his youth, and as a teen led his high school baseball team to the state championship in 1960. After suffering a football injury, Murphy got started in golf.

College career

Murphy attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. While he was an undergraduate, he played for coach Buster Bishop's Florida Gators men's golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association competition from 1964 to 1966. While he was a college student, he won the 1965 U.S. Amateur and the 1966 individual NCAA championship, and was recognized as an All-American in 1966. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance in 1966, and was later inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1971.

Professional career

Murphy turned professional in 1967, and won five tournaments on the PGA Tour. He was a member of the victorious U.S. team in the 1975 Ryder Cup competition. His best finish in a major tournament was a second-place tie at the 1970 PGA Championship. Murphy won 11 times on the Senior PGA Tour.
Murphy first got into broadcasting while still playing. He joined CBS Sports as a tower announcer in 1984, working for CBS through 1991. He then joined ESPN as a color commentator, where he stayed through 1994. After a break from TV to play on the Senior PGA Tour, he joined NBC Sports in November 1999, and was a tower announcer for the PGA Tour on NBC through 2009, at which point he retired.
He was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Personal life

Murphy lives in Delray Beach, Florida with his wife, Gail.

Amateur wins (2)

PGA Tour wins (5)

PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11968Philadelphia Golf Classic Labron Harris, Jr.Won with birdie on third extra hole
21970Tucson Open Lee TrevinoLost to birdie on first extra hole
31972Hawaiian Open Grier JonesLost to par on first extra hole
41973Westchester Classic Bobby NicholsLost to birdie on second extra hole
51974World Open Golf Championship Frank Beard, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny MillerMiller won with birdie on second extra hole
Murphy eliminated with par on first hole
61981Tallahassee Open Dave Eichelberger, Mark O'MearaEichelberger won with birdie on first extra hole

Australian wins (1)

Champions Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11994Raley's Senior Gold Rush Dave EichelbergerWon with bogey on fifth extra hole
21997Toshiba Senior Classic Jay SigelWon with birdie on ninth extra hole

Other senior wins (3)

LA = Low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" indicates a tie for a place

U.S. national team appearances

Amateur
Professional