The best golfer from every U.S. state

New Jersey: Vic Ghezzi

The greatest golfer from New Jersey is pretty clearly a title that belongs to the great Vic Ghezzi. Hailing from Rumson, Ghezzi undoubtedly made his mark on the PGA Tour throughout his career, which began when he turned professional in 1932. It wasn’t until 1935 that Ghezzi picked up his first win on the tour, but he grabbed a couple in that season, capturing victories at both the Los Angeles Open and the Calvert Open.

Overall, Ghezzi won 11 times on the PGA Tour with wins spanning from his first in 1935 to his last in 1948 at the Dapper Dan-Alcoma Tournament. Meanwhile, Ghezzi also won six other professional events in his career, including winning the New Jersey State Open three separate times (1937, 1943-44) and the New Jersey PGA Championship twice (1939, 1949), further strengthening the native’s ties to his home state.

However, Ghezzi’s career may best be known for his part played in thrilling performances in major championships and his overall showing in said tournaments. That, of course, includes his one career major victory, which came in the 1941 PGA Championship as he defeated the great Byron Nelson in 38 holes to win the title. Meanwhile, Ghezzi also finished in the top 10 of The Masters on four separate occasions and inside the top 10 of the U.S. Open twice.

Perhaps his most famous moment came when he finished tied for second in the 1946 U.S. Open. Ghezzi, Nelson and Lloyd Mangrum wound up in an 18-hole playoff, but all ended still tied after those holes, forcing another 18 the next day. It was Mangrum who ultimately prevailed, but Ghezzi participated in one of the greatest finishes in the history of the tournament.