1928—Winner, Glen Garden CC Caddie Championship over Ben Hogan in 9-hole playoff
1928—Winner, Katy Lake Amateur, Fort Worth, Texas
1929—Runner-up in Fort Worth City Amateur, Meadowbrook Municipal GC, Fort Worth, Texas
1930—Winner, Southwestern Amateur, Nichols Hills G&CC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1931—Failed to qualify by one shot in USGA National Amateur, Beverly CC, Chicago, Illinois
Nelson retired at the end of 1946. Over the next twenty years he made infrequent starts on the PGA Tour. His wins during that time include the Texas PGA Open in 1948; the Crosby Invitational in 1951; and the Crosby Pro-Am (with Eddie Lowery) and the French Open in 1955.
Tournament Victories—61, including 54 PGA-sanctioned events and the French Open in 1955
The Masters—1937, 1942
U.S. Open—1939
PGA Championship—1940, 1945
Member of the Ryder Cup Team in 1937 and 1947. Selected for team in 1939 and 1941. Also served as captain of victorious Ryder Cup team in 1965.
Most tournament wins in a row—11, in 1945: Miami Four-Ball, Charlotte Open, Greensboro Open, Durham Open, Atlanta Iron Lung Tournament, PGA Canadian Open, Philadelphia Inquirer Invitational, Chicago Victory Open, PGA Championship, Tam O’Shanter Open, Canadian National Open
Most tournament wins in one year—18, in 1945
Lowest scoring average—68.33, in 1945
Most consecutive rounds under 70—19, in 1945
Most consecutive times finishing in the money—113
Nelson was named Athlete of the Year in 1944 and 1945 by the Associated Press; he won nine tournaments in 1944 and six in 1946, just prior to his retirement from tournament play; and in 1945, in addition to winning 18 PGA-sanctioned events, he also finished second in seven others. He was also the first pro to play 100 rounds in the Masters.
