David Graham to be finally inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame
David Graham will become the fifth Australian to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.
David Graham’s name has been put up as a potential inductee for the World Golf Hall of Fame (WGHF) for many years but his nomination has always been rejected in favour of other less credential nominees.
In 2015 the wrong will be righted. It was confirmed yesterday that the two-time major champion was elected to enter the WHGF along with Professionals Mark O’Meara, Laura Davies and former American golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast.
“It’s a great honour, and I’m delighted.” said Graham
“It’s been a long time, but like they say, good things are worth waiting for.”
Graham was the first Australian golfer to win two different majors. He won the 1979 US PGA Championship and was the first Australian to win the US Open in 1981.
“Of course my greatest feeling was when I won the PGA I beat Ben Crenshaw in a playoff, and I think my only supporter in the gallery was my wife. I mean, Ben was the all American kid. He was the next Jack Nicklaus.” Graham said yesterday.
“The stars were aligned when I won that tournament because I played the first and second hole of the playoff not very well in comparison, and I just made a couple of ridiculous putts, and I still don’t have any understanding of how that happened and don’t want to, to be honest with you.”
Graham played a flawless final round to win the US Open at Merion in 1981 and is considered one of the most precise golf rounds ever at a major. Graham hit every green on his way to a 3-under par 67 to win by three strokes.
“Merion was just the perfect golf course for players that played like me. I played straight. I was a good iron player, and I putted that particular week like magic. I think when you win majors, you do putt like magic.” Graham said.
“But that course just fitted my game. It was a nice right to left course, which was the way I played.”
The former Australian Professional joins Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman and Karrie Webb as the only other four Australians to receive induction into golf’s most honoured club.
In addition to Graham’s two major victories, he won 38 professional tournaments including eight on the PGA Tour, two in Europe and eight on the Australasian Tour. He also represented Australia in three Dunhill Cups, two World Cups and was the International Team captain for the Presidents Cup in 1994.