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Legendary U.S. Golfer Dead On Easter At 81 Years Old

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 8:11 PM ET

Jay Sigel, regarded as one of the greatest amateur golfers in United States history, has died at 81.

Sigel passed away Saturday following a bout with pancreatic cancer, according to reports. A native of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Sigel won the U.S. Amateur in 1982 and 1983 and U.S. Mid-Amateur in 1983, becoming the first golfer to win both events in the same year. Sigel also won the Mid-Amateur again in 1985 and 1987 as well as the British Amateur in 1979.

"All of us at the USGA are deeply saddened by the passing of Jay Sigel, a true legend of amateur golf and a cherished member of the USGA family," the USGA said in a tweet.

Sigel originally planned to go pro following his career at Wake Forest University, but after injuring his left arm in an accident, decided to go into the insurance and business and remain an amateur competitor.

"I always thought things happen for a reason," Sigel once said. "The hand injury was the best thing to happen to me."

Sigel competed on nine U.S. Walker Cup teams, serving as captain for two of them. He played in the Masters 11 times, making the cut on four occasions and finishing as the low amateur three times.

Sigel was also the low amateur once at the U.S. Open and British Open. In 1993, at the age of 50, Sigel finally turned pro, joining the PGA Tour Champions, where he was named the tour's Rookie of the Year in 1994.

All-time, Sigel won eight times on the PGA Tour Champions, and finished with career earnings of over $9 million.

“Incredible player. Incredible friend. Incredible mentor,” said fellow Pennsylvanian Nathan Smith, the 2025 U.S. Walker Cup captain. “He was special. He was just an icon in amateur golf."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sigel's family at this time.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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