Tommy Armour

Who was Tommy Armour?

Thomas Dickson Armour was a Scottish-American professional golfer. He was nicknamed The Silver Scot.

Armour was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and educated at Fettes College and the University of Edinburgh.

During his service in World War I, Armour rose from a private to Staff Major in the Tank Corps. His conduct earned him an audience with George V. However, he lost his sight to a mustard gas explosion and surgeons had to add a metal plate to his head and left arm. During his convalescence, he regained the sight of his right eye, and began playing much more golf.

Armour won the French Amateur tournament in 1920. He moved to the United States and met Walter Hagen, who gave him a job as secretary of the Westchester-Biltmore Club. He became a U.S. citizen at this time. He competed in important amateur tournaments in the U.S. for a time, and in 1924 became a professional golfer.

Armour won the 1927 U.S. Open, 1930 PGA Championship, and the 1931 Open Championship. His 1930 campaign was overshadowed by Bobby Jones' Grand Slam, and Armour seems to have been overlooked.

Armour also won the Canadian Open three times, a feat exceeded only by Leo Diegel, who won four.