Orville Moody

Who was Orville Moody?

Orville James Moody was an American professional golfer who won numerous tournaments in his career. He won the 1969 U.S. Open, the last champion in the 20th century to win through local and sectional qualifying.

Moody was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The son of a golf course superintendent, he began his career at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, winning the 1952 state high school golf championship. After attempting college for a few weeks at the University of Oklahoma, Moody joined the U.S. Army. He was able to continue playing golf while in uniform, winning the All-Service championship and three Korea Opens. He spent 14 years in the Army, heading up maintenance supervision and instruction at all Army golf courses.

Moody gave up his military career in favor of a trial run at the PGA Tour in 1967. His nickname on the Tour was "Sarge" because he rose to the rank of sergeant in the Army.

Moody had limited success on the PGA Tour prior to 1969. In April 1969, he took part in a four-way playoff at the Greater Greensboro Open won by Gene Littler.

The 1969 U.S. Open was played in June at the Cypress Creek Course of the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. Before the tournament began, defending champion Lee Trevino picked Moody to win. Trevino saying "He's one helluva player." Moody won by one stroke over Deane Beman, Al Geiberger and Bob Rosburg with a 72-hole score of 281.