BERWYN, Pa. — Jay Sigel, who was widely viewed as the best amateur golfer in the United States since Bobby Jones, has died of pancreatic cancer, the U.S. Golf Association announced Sunday.
The USGA said Sigel died Saturday at age 81. Along with his two U.S. Amateur titles and three U.S. Mid-Amateur victories, Sigel played in nine Walker Cup matches, twice as a playing captain for the Americans.
Sigel finished as the low amateur in the Masters three times, and once each at the U.S. Open and British Open during his sterling career.
His intention was to turn pro when he starred at Wake Forest on an Arnold Palmer scholarship, but his left hand went through a pane window on a swinging door, and the injury required 70 stitches. Sigel decided to remain an amateur and started a successful insurance business while continuing to play golf.
“I always thought things happen for a reason,” Sigel once said. “The hand injury was the best thing to happen to me.”