Little Poison: Paul Runyan, Sam Snead, and a Long-Shot Upset at the 1938 PGA Championship

Paul Runyan, nicknamed "Little Poison," shocked the golf world by defeating long and lean, sweet-swinging Sam Snead in the 1938 PGA Championship. Despite Snead's physical gifts, Runyan was no match for him, winning twenty-nine PGA tournaments between 1930 and 1941 and another major championship in 1934. His story is about his Depression-era grit and his belief that proper technique and relentless hard work would outlast talent and brawn.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Paul Runyan, the Arkansas farm boy who stood five feet, six inches, and weighed 130 pounds, shocked the golf world by defeating long and lean, sweet-swinging Sam Snead in the finals of the 1938 PGA Championship, thus earning the nickname "Little Poison." Runyan did more than beat Snead; he shellacked him as decisively as David toppled mighty Goliath. His resounding victory was so convincing, so dominant, that even Snead had to shake his head when it was finished and wonder how the porkpie-wearing, pint-sized golf pro had gotten the better of him in the thirty-six-hole final. One bookmaker made Snead a 10-to-1 favorite before the match. Despite Sneads physical gifts—he routinely outdrove Runyan by fifty yards or more—Snead was no match for Runyan, the underdog victor in one of golfs four major championships.

Little Poison is the story of a man who made a career out of punching above his weight on the golf course. Runyan won twenty-nine PGA tournaments between 1930 and 1941, as well as another major championship in 1934. Runyan served in the navy during World War II, joining Snead and other prominent professionals who played exhibition matches to entertain troops and help raise money. After the war, he played sparingly but successfully and focused on his career as an instructor, teaching his revolutionary short-game techniques.

Little Poison follows Runyan throughout these stages of his life, from anonymity to stardom and into golf mythology.

At the heart of Runyan's story is his Depression-era grit. He believed passionately that proper technique and relentless hard work would outlast talent and brawn. Americans who emerged from the Great Depression likely had a little Runyan in them, too, making him the perfect sports hero for the era. His story began not on the immaculately manicured greens of a golf course but on the hardscrabble farms of Arkansas.

Runyan was born in 1906 in the small town of Van Buren. He was the youngest of three children and grew up on a farm that struggled to make ends meet. His parents were hardworking, but they were never able to provide their children with the luxury of a formal education. Runyan was determined to make something of himself, and he began working on the farm at a young age.

Despite his humble beginnings, Runyan had a natural talent for golf. He started playing at the age of nine and quickly developed a passion for the game. He would spend hours practicing his swing, hitting balls into the woods, and trying to improve his game.

Despite his talent, Runyan faced many challenges on his way to the top of the golf world. He was short and stocky, and many of his opponents were taller and more muscular. He also struggled with his confidence, often doubting his abilities and questioning whether he was good enough to compete at the highest level.

Despite these challenges, Runyan never gave up on his dream of becoming a professional golfer. He worked tirelessly to improve his game, and he eventually caught the attention of a local golf pro named Sam Snead. Snead was impressed with Runyan's talent and offered to take him under his wing.

Under Snead's guidance, Runyan began to refine his technique and develop his mental game. He learned to focus on his strengths and to avoid his weaknesses, and he began to win tournaments.

Runyan's first major victory came in 1930 at the Los Angeles Open. He defeated Sam Snead in a playoff, and he quickly became a sensation in the golf world. He was known for his aggressive style of play, his ability to hit long shots, and his relentless determination.

Over the next few years, Runyan continued to win tournaments and establish himself as one of the best golfers in the world. He won the PGA Championship in 1934, defeating Ben Hogan in a playoff. He also won the U.S. Open in 1936, defeating Byron Nelson in a playoff.

Despite his success, Runyan faced many challenges in his personal life. He struggled with alcoholism and gambling, and he was often in debt. He also faced criticism from some of his fellow golfers, who accused him of being too aggressive and of not playing the game with the proper respect.

Despite these challenges, Runyan never gave up on his dream of becoming a professional golfer. He continued to play and win tournaments, and he became a beloved figure in the golf world.

In 1941, Runyan joined the navy during World War II. He served as a golf instructor, teaching his techniques to soldiers who were preparing for battle. He also played in exhibition matches to entertain troops and raise money for the war effort.

After the war, Runyan played sparingly but successfully. He won the PGA Championship in 1946, defeating Sam Snead in a playoff. He also won the U.S. Open in 1947, defeating Ben Hogan in a playoff.

Runyan's legacy as a golfer is secure. He is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, and his style of play and his determination have inspired generations of golfers.

In conclusion, Paul Runyan's story is one of determination, grit, and success. He overcame many challenges on his way paragraph to become one of the greatest golfers of all time. His legacy as a golfer is secure, and his style of play and his determination have inspired generations of golfers. Despite his struggles with alcoholism and gambling, Runyan never gave up on his dream of becoming a professional golfer. He was a beloved figure in the golf world, and his impact on the game is immeasurable.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496231420