J. J. O'Brien (golfer)

John James O'Brien (February 16, 1888 – April 6, 1928)[1][2] was an American professional golfer. His best year was 1916 when he was in the top 10 in the U.S. Open and he reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural PGA Championship.

J. J. O'Brien
Personal information
Full nameJohn James O'Brien
NicknameSpitz
Born(1888-02-16)February 16, 1888
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedApril 6, 1928(1928-04-06) (aged 40)
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Sporting nationality United States
Career
StatusProfessional
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipT5: 1916
U.S. OpenT9: 1916
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Professional career

In the 1914 U.S. Open, O'Brien was tied for fourth place after the first day, just 4 strokes behind Walter Hagen.[3] Two disappointing rounds on the final day left him tied for 13th place, 12 strokes behind Hagen.[4]

In June 1916, O'Brien finished tied for 9th place in the U.S. Open, despite a final round of 76.[5] In August, he finished tied for 6th place behind Walter Hagen in the Western Open and then in September he qualified for the final stage of the inaugural PGA Championship, finishing 4th in the qualifying of the Middle West section at the Glen View Club, with 7 places available.[6][7] The championship was played at Siwanoy Country Club in mid-October. O'Brien won his first two matches before losing 10 & 9 to Hagen in the quarter-finals.[8]

Personal life

O'Brien died in April 1928. He had been suffering from the effects of pneumonia for three years. For a number of years he had been running an indoor golf facility in East Liberty (Pittsburgh).[9][10]

Results in major championships
Tournament 191219131914191519161917191819191920
U.S. Open CUT WD T13 T32 T9 NT NT T23
PGA Championship NYF NYF NYF NYF QF NT NT

Note: O'Brien never played in The Open Championship.

  Top 10
  Did not play

NYF = tournament not yet founded
NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

References
  1. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6J5-J84
  2. "Death notices – O'Brien". The Pittsburgh Press. April 7, 1928. p. 14 – via newspapers.com.
  3. "Hagen leads field in national meet". Milwaukee Sentinel. August 21, 1914. p. 5.
  4. "Hagen captures Open golf title". Milwaukee Sentinel. August 22, 1914. p. 8.
  5. Sixty, Billy (July 1, 1916). "Golf". Milwaukee Journal. p. 8.
  6. "Dagleish shoots fine game at Blue Mound". The Times (Munster, Indiana). August 19, 1916. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  7. "Simpson tops "Pro" Golfers at Glen View". Chicago Tribune. September 19, 1916. p. 14 – via newspapers.com.
  8. "Hagen Winner By Lop-Sided Score" (PDF). The New York Times. New York, New York. October 13, 1916.
  9. ""Spitz" O'Brien, Pro Golfer dies". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 7, 1928. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ""Spitz" O'Brien Dead". The Pittsburgh Press. April 8, 1928. p. S5 – via newspapers.com.
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