Gene Littler, whose fluid swing carried him to 29 victories on the PGA Tour and a US Open title at Oakland Hills, has died.
Littler died on Friday night with his family at his side, son Curt Litter said Saturday. He was 88.
Littler held his own among the golfing greats to emerge from San Diego with a tempo to his swing that made the game look easy.
Gene Sarazen once said Littler had a perfect swing, like Sam Snead "only better."
"I worked on tempo a lot, and I think my tempo was really pretty good," Littler said.
"I think maybe that's what gives the impression of a terrific swing.
"I don't know if mechanically it was that sound or not, but it must have been OK."
Mickey Wright, asked in 2011 for the best swing she ever saw, mentioned Ben Hogan before quickly adding, "I had my favourites, like Gene Littler, whom I just loved."
He was known as "Gene the Machine," and he won the first of his tour titles in the 1954 San Diego Open while still an amateur.
He won the 1955 Los Angeles Open for his first pro victory and went on to win three more times that year.
His most productive year was in 1959 when Littler won five times, was runner-up three times and finished No. 2 on the PGA Tour money list.
Littler rallied from three shots behind in the final round to win the 1961 US Open.
A testament to the quality of his swing was that Littler had a malignant tumour removed from the lymph glands under his left arm in 1972 when he was 42, and he won four more times.
Little won three times at age 45 in 1975.
"His rhythmic swing that earned him his distinctive nickname remains in our minds a thing of beauty," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said.
"It was a pleasure to watch Gene Littler hit a golf ball."
Littler played on six Ryder Cup teams, all US victories, compiling a 14-5-8 record.
He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.
Littler is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley, son Curt and daughter Suzanne.
