Early response brings about smiles from the chairmen of the American Lung Association’s golf privilege card, Midget May, left, and two program supporters, former U.S. Open champion Lou Graham and Kathy Gaston, president of the Middle Tennessee Lung Association. They three were together on a local golf course on April 12, 1984.
Early response brings about smiles from the chairmen of the American Lung Association’s golf privilege card, Midget May, left, and two program supporters, former U.S. Open champion Lou Graham and Kathy Gaston, president of the Middle Tennessee Lung Association. They three were together on a local golf course on April 12, 1984.
The Nashville native and one of the PGA Tour's most respected ball-strikers, Lou Graham, passed away on May 11 at age 88.
Eleven strokes down, eighteen holes left, and most players pack it in mentally at that point when Graham went out and won a U.S. Open. But now, golf has lost one of its great champions.
Both the PGA Tour and the USGA confirmed his passing.
At the 1975 U.S. Open, Graham was 11 shots behind Tom Watson after the first two rounds at Medinah Country Club. In the third round, Graham shot a 68 and got back into contention for the title. He finished tied with John Mahaffey at 3-over 291.
On Monday, the two golfers played an 18-hole playoff, and Graham won 71-73 to claim the U.S. Open title.
The victory remains the largest 36-hole comeback in U.S. Open history.
"My goal was to play for pars," Graham said after the playoff. "I know when I do that … I'll get a (birdie) or two."
That was not his only strong run at the U.S. Open.
In 1974, he finished tied for third at Winged Foot Golf Club. Then, in 1977, he finished second at Southern Hills Country Club, just one shot behind Hubert Green.
Lou Graham's 1979 Streak That Golf Digest Could Not Ignore
Four years after his win at Medinah Country Club, Graham had one of the best stretches of his career.
He won three tournaments in just 71 days: the IVB-Philadelphia Golf Classic, the American Optical Classic, and the Texas Open. Because of that strong run, Golf Digest gave him the Comeback Player of the Year award.
He played 23 seasons on the PGA Tour, making 623 starts. After turning 50 in 1988, he made another 239 starts on what is now the PGA Tour Champions. During his career, Graham earned more than $2 million playing on both tours.
He also represented Team USA on three Ryder Cup teams in 1973, 1975, and 1977.
He teamed up with Johnny Miller in 1975 and won the World Cup. Before his golf career took off, he served in the United States Army as part of “The Old Guard.”
This special regiment protects the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He won the Inter-Service Championship in 1961 and then joined the PGA Tour full-time in 1964.
Graham entered the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Friend and golf professional Joe Taggert confirmed that he had been in hospice care at Richland Country Club, where Graham was a longtime member.
Trending slideshow: 2026 PGA Tour Priority Ranking: Full List of PGA Championship and U.S. Open Winners Eligible
Eknoor Juneja
2026 PGA Tour Priority Ranking: Full List of PGA Championship and U.S. Open Winners EligibleEvery major victory on the PGA Tour does more than deliver a trophy. It quietly shapes a player's entire future schedule by unlocking priority access to the biggest events. For 2026, that edge matters more than ever as past PGA Championship and U.S. Open winners secure their spots at the highest level. Here is the full priority ranking and who earned it through those historic wins. Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoLee Trevino won 6 big tournaments during his career. This included 2 PGA Championships in 1974 and 1984. He was popular in the 1970s and 1980s because of his personality and his skills on the greens. His past wins still matter in the 2026 system. He is eligible for PGA Tour events even though he stopped playing competitive golf a long time ago. Paul Hennessy/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoJustin Thomas won the PGA Championship 2 times. His first win was in 2017 at Quail Hollow, and his second was in 2022 at Southern Hills. He has earned over $50 million in his career and has been ranked No. 1 in the world. His 2 wins in this tournament keep him high in the 2026 priority rankings. Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoJ.J. Spaun earned his high ranking by winning the 2025 U.S. Open. He won the title at Oakmont Country Club by making a 64-foot putt on the final hole. He turned professional in 2014 after graduating from San Diego State University. His win in 2025 gives him a 5-year exemption to play in PGA Tour events through the 2030 season. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/ImagoScottie Scheffler won the Masters in 2022 and 2024. He has been the number 1 player in the world for a record-breaking period. While he had a difficult week at the 2024 U.S. Open, his continued dominance and multiple Masters titles keep him at the very top of the PGA Tour priority system for 2026. Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoXander Schauffele won 2 titles in 2024. He won the PGA Championship at Valhalla and the Open Championship at Royal Troon. Before these wins, he had finished 2nd in several other major events. These 2 victories in 1 year give him high-priority status for the 2026 season and several years after. Brenton Tse/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoGary Player won 9 big titles during his career. He won the PGA Championship in 1962, 1972, and 1978. He is one of only 5 golfers to win all 4 of the modern top tournaments. His victories from decades ago still give him a place in the current PGA Tour priority system. Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution TNS/Newscom World/ImagoJack Nicklaus won 18 big titles, which is the record in golf history. He won the PGA Championship 5 times between 1963 and 1980. He was the most successful player in the sport for over 20 years. His record gives him a lifetime spot in the priority rankings for the 2026 season. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/ImagoBobby Nichols won the PGA Championship in 1964. He beat Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus by 3 strokes at the Columbus Country Club. His win came during a time when the biggest names in golf were at their peak. Because he won this title before 1970, he keeps a permanent spot in the PGA Tour priority system today. David Perry/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoCollin Morikawa won the PGA Championship in 2020 at TPC Harding Park. At 23 years old, he was one of the youngest players to ever win the tournament. He followed this with a win at The Open Championship in 2021. These 2 major titles and his high standing in the 2026 FedExCup points list give him a very strong position. via Aflo Sport/ImagoBrooks Koepka is a 5-time major champion. He won the PGA Championship in 2018, 2019, and 2023. He also won back-to-back U.S. Opens in 2017 and 2018. His recent major success and status as a past champion ensure he stays at the top of the PGA Tour priority list for the 2026 season. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/ImagoAl Geiberger won the PGA Championship in 1966 at Firestone Country Club. He is also known as "Mr. 59" for being the first person to shoot that score in a PGA Tour event in 1977. His victory in 1966 allowed him to remain eligible for tour events in the past winners category of the PGA Championship. Bob Owen/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoRaymond Floyd won 2 PGA Championships, first in 1969 and again in 1982. He also won the Masters and the U.S. Open for a total of 4 major titles. He is famous for his longevity in the sport, having won tournaments across 4 different decades. His status as a past champion gives him a lifetime spot in the 2026 PGA Tour rankings. via Icon Sportswire/ImagoMatt Fitzpatrick is currently the number 1 player for points in the 2026 season. He won the U.S. Open in 2022 at Brookline and recently won the 2026 RBC Heritage in a playoff. His recent success has kept him as the overall leader on the tour. He is fully exempt for all tournaments this year because of his major win and top ranking. Fran Caffrey/Golffile/ImagoWyndham Clark won the U.S. Open in 2023 at the Los Angeles Country Club. He finished with a score of 10-under-par to earn his first major title. Since that win, he has consistently finished in the top 10 of many tournaments, including several Signature Events in early 2026. His 2023 victory secures his high position in the priority rankings. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/Imago
