Byron Nelson Is Bringing His Golf Game Back to Par

At the age of 74, Byron Nelson is learning and loving the game of golf again.

He’s always been active as golf’s goodwill ambassador. He’s helped hundreds of players learn the game, including protege Tom Watson, a four-time winner of the Byron Nelson tournament and owner of every major title except the PGA.

But Nelson let his own immaculate game slip away. Widely respected as perhaps the finest iron player of them all, Nelson didn’t pick up a club for three years because his wife, Louise, was ill.

She died last year and Nelson returned to the golf course.

“I couldn’t break 85 there for awhile,” Nelson said. “It’s getting better now. I don’t mind playing with my friends again. Still, my game is a long way off from being where it should be. There’s no way I would get out and play competively.”

Nelson has turned down invitations to the Legends of Golf for years because he couldn’t give it his best.

“I didn’t want to play poorly,” he said.

Nelson, of course, set a record in 1945 that will likely remain on the PGA books forever.

From March 11 to August 4 Nelson won an amazing 11 tournaments in a row.

Nelson, who was excused from military service because of hemophilia, was competing against such stars as Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Dutch Harrison, Denny Shute, Johnny Revolta, and Jug McSpaden during his incredible run.

Critics of the streak say some other great players were in the service, but Nelson’s greatness during this run was attested by his 68.33 stroke average.

Nelson won $63,000 for his great 1945 season. He won only a little over $160,000 for his career. Single tournaments pay that much now.

“It is amazing how the game has grown to where it is now,” Nelson said. “The Seniors tour is taking off. It’s just a great time to be a professional golfer.”

Does Nelson feel cheated he didn’t get more out of his career?

“No way,” he said. “I took the money I won and bought my ranch. It’s paid for right now. Louise and I had a great life.

“Now I just want to make sure I give back to golf more than I got out of it. I doubt I’ll ever be able to do that but I’m going to try.”

He’s also going to see if he can shoot his age again.

“I used to be able to do that all the time,” Nelson said. “I’ll get it back down there one of these days.”

By the way, Nelson doesn’t feel his 11 consecutive victories is his finest feat.

“I think the 113 consecutive times I finished in the money was harder to do,” he said. “It proves I never quit trying and had a pretty good swing.”