Billy Joe Maxwell (July 23, 1929 – September 20, 2021) was an American professional golfer.

Early life and amateur career

Maxwell was born in Abilene, Texas. He has a twin brother, Bobby, who was also a golfer.

Maxwell played college golf at North Texas State College and helped them win four consecutive NCAA Division I team championships (1949–1952). Maxwell also won the U.S. Amateur title in 1951. After an impressive amateur career, he served in the Army.

Professional career

In 1954, Maxwell turned pro. Maxwell won seven times on the PGA Tour. He also played on the 1963 Ryder Cup team and was elected to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

Maxwell resided in Jacksonville, Florida where, along with former PGA touring pro, Chris Blocker, he owned and operated Hyde Park Golf Club, a Donald Ross designed course.

Amateur wins

This list is probably incomplete

Professional wins (10)

PGA Tour wins (7)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Apr 3, 1955Azalea Open Invitational−18 (65-68-68-69=270)1 strokeUnited States Mike Souchak
2Apr 22, 1956Arlington Hotel Open−16 (64-69-70-69=272)1 strokeUnited States George Bayer, United States Ernie Vossler
3Oct 27, 1957Hesperia Open Invitational−13 (67-67-67-74=275)2 strokesUnited States Dow Finsterwald
4May 18, 1958Memphis Open−13 (69-65-68-65=267)1 strokeUnited States Cary Middlecoff
5Feb 5, 1961Palm Springs Golf Classic−14 (68-70-68-68-71=345)2 strokesUnited States Doug Sanders
6Aug 13, 1961Insurance City Open Invitational−13 (69-68-68-66=271)PlayoffUnited States Ted Kroll
7Sep 3, 1962Dallas Open Invitational−3 (68-70-68-71=277)4 strokesUnited States Johnny Pott

PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11955Baton Rouge OpenUnited States Jimmy Clark, United States Bo WiningerWininger won 18-hole playoff; Wininger: −6 (66), Clark: −2 (70), Maxwell: −1 (71)
21957Western OpenUnited States George Bayer, United States Doug Ford, United States Gene LittlerFord won with par on third extra hole Littler and Maxwell eliminated by par on first hole
31961Insurance City Open InvitationalUnited States Ted KrollWon with birdie on seventh extra hole

Source:

Other wins (3)

this list is probably incomplete

Major championships

Amateur wins (1)

YearChampionshipWinning scoreRunner-up
1951U.S. Amateur4 & 3United States Joe Gagliardi

Results timeline

Amateur

Tournament1950195119521953
Masters TournamentT49
U.S. AmateurR161R256
The Amateur ChampionshipR16

Professional

Tournament195419551956195719581959196019611962196319641965196619671968196919701971
Masters TournamentT43T18T34WDT9T8T25T5T15T18T26T39
U.S. Open2712T8T27T26T22T8T514T36T52
PGA ChampionshipT25T11T24T27WDT5T13T43T63T10T40

Note: Maxwell never played in The Open Championship.

WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place R256, R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play

Sources: Masters, U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur, PGA Championship, 1952 British Amateur

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament0001371312
U.S. Open0001361111
The Open Championship00000000
PGA Championship0001261110
Totals00038193533
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 14 (1963 Masters – 1971 PGA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (three times)

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

External links