Lee Elder's first of four PGA TOUR titles came at the 1974 Monsanto Open, where he birdied three of the last four holes to catch Peter Oosterhuis and then won with an 18-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a playoff. Member of the 1979 United States Ryder Cup team. In 1975, he became the first person of color to play in the Masters Tournament. Played on the UGA Tour before coming to the PGA TOUR.
Last of eight SENIOR TOUR titles came at the Gus Machado Classic in Key Biscayne almost a year to the day after he suffered a mild heart attack. Finished second on the money list in 1985 after winning four SENIOR TOUR events. Established the SENIOR TOUR record for lowest 18-hole score (11-under 61/Newport CC/Merrill Lynch/Golf Digest Commemorative), a mark since broken by Isao Aoki's 60 in 1997. Beat Peter Thomson with an eagle-3 on the first extra hole of the '85 Commemorative and still holds the distinction of being the last player to win a SENIOR TOUR playoff with an eagle.
Got started in golf at age nine, after his parents died, by caddying as a means to put food on the table. Cites Ted Rhodes as the most influential person in his career.
Joined PGA tour in 1967
