NEC World Series of Golf

{{Short description|Golf tournament}} {{Infobox golf tournament | name = NEC World Series of Golf | image = | location = [[Akron, Ohio]] | establishment = 1962 | course = [[Firestone Country Club]] (South Course) | par = 70 | yardage = {{convert|7139|yd}}<ref name=wgstr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T7JOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xx4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4240%2C6374818 |newspaper=Wilmington Morning Star |location=North Carolina |title=World Series of Golf |date=August 31, 1998 |page=4C }}</ref> | tour = [[PGA Tour]] | format = [[Stroke play]] | month_played = August | purse = {{currency|2,250,000|USD}} | final_year = 1998 | aggregate = {{nowrap|262 [[José María Olazábal]] (1990)}} | to-par = −18 ''as above'' | final_champion = {{flagicon|USA}} [[David Duval]] | map = USA#USA Ohio | map_label = Firestone CC | map_caption = Location in the [[United States]]##Location in [[Ohio]] | map_relief = yes | map_label_position = | map_size = 200 | coordinates = {{coord|41.008|-81.508}} }} The '''World Series of Golf''' was a professional golf tournament on the [[PGA Tour]], played at [[Firestone Country Club]] in [[Akron, Ohio]]. From its inception in 1962 through 1975, it was an unofficial 36-hole event matching the winners of the four [[men's major golf championships|major championships]].<ref name=Augusta>{{cite news |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/08/27/oth_237183.shtml |title=World Series of Golf back for final time |newspaper=Augusta Chronicle |location=Georgia |agency=Associated Press |date=August 27, 1998 |access-date=June 24, 2013}}</ref> In 1976 it became an official PGA Tour event; the field expanded to 20 players and the event was lengthened to 72 holes.<ref name=ngharws>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g_BVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6707%2C7275023|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Now golf has a real World Series |date=August 29, 1976 |page=7B}}</ref> the victory and $100,000 winner's share went to Nicklaus.<ref name=nshdbt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LwEjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t80FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2690%2C2935913 |newspaper=Palm Beach Post |location=Florida |agency=wire services |title=Nicklaus silences his doubters |date=September 6, 1976 |page=D1 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The field was increased to over 40 players in [[1983 PGA Tour|1983]],<ref name=gtexps>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vp8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HNYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4079%2C4279281 |newspaper=Gadsden Times |location=Alabama |agency=Associated Press |title=Golf tournament expands |date=August 24, 1983 |page=B3}}</ref><ref name=wsefdelg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FzExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zQUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4189%2C6249742 |newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner |location=Florida|last=Gilpin |first=Del |title=World Series expands field |date=May 6, 1983 |page=8C }}</ref> though it never exceeded 50; [[NEC]] began sponsoring the event in [[1984 PGA Tour|1984]].

The tournament was last played in [[1998 PGA Tour|1998]], but was replaced by the newly created [[WGC-NEC Invitational]] in [[1999 PGA Tour|1999]].<ref name=ftswifr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UI5SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CnADAAAAIBAJ&pg=3655%2C5394029 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Firestone to switch its format |date=August 27, 1998 |page=D6}}</ref> Firestone Country Club had hosted that tournament (later known as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) every year until [[2019 PGA Tour|2019]], except for [[2002 PGA Tour|2002]].

==History==

=== Invitation era === The World Series of Golf was founded as a four-man invitational event in [[1962 PGA Tour|1962]], comprising the winners of the four [[men's major golf championships|major championships]] in a 36-hole event.<ref name=Augusta /> In the made-for-television tournament, the competitors played in one group for $75,000 in unofficial prize money, televised by [[Golf Channel on NBC|NBC]].

The inaugural edition in September 1962 included only the "Big Three" of [[Arnold Palmer]], [[Jack Nicklaus]], and [[Gary Player]]. Palmer had won two majors that year and a fourth competitor was not added. Palmer shot a course record 65 in the first round on Saturday, but fell back with a 74 on Sunday. Nicklaus won with 135, four strokes ahead of Palmer and Player. Nicklaus, age 22, won a then-staggering $50,000, with $15,000 for second and $5,000 each for third and fourth, split between the other two for $12,500 each.<ref name=wpfjbtw>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y3ApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4712%2C3090931 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=While Palmer fades, Jack blooms to win golf's first World Series |date=September 10, 1962 |page=12 }}</ref><ref name=niwigws>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=be8pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zyYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6273%2C4623056|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=press dispatches |title=Nicklaus is winner in golf World Series |date=September 10, 1962 |page=11}}</ref><ref name=wswbjk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xv1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3751%2C1838929|work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=World Series won by Jack |date=September 10, 1962 |page=3B}}</ref><ref name=cdtwsog>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1962/09/10/page/61/article/nicklaus-wins-75-000-exhibition-palmer-fades |work=Chicago Daily Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Nicklaus wins $75,000 exhibition; Palmer fades |date=September 10, 1962 |page=1, sec. 4}}</ref> Opposite this competition was the regular tour event in [[Denver Open Invitational|Denver]], which had a winner's share of $4,300.<ref name=gldnkng>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MX0vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GEoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4374%2C1828258 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |agency=UPI |title=Goalby Denver king |date=September 10, 1962 |page=2B}}</ref><ref name=gwdglf>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y3ApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2424%2C3090152 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Goalby wins Denver golf; Duden's 2nd |date=September 10, 1962 |page=12}}</ref> The highest paying major at the time was the [[1962 Masters Tournament|Masters]] with a winner's share of $20,000; Nicklaus had won $17,500 at the [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] at [[Oakmont Country Club|Oakmont]], which included a sizable $2,500 playoff bonus from the extra day's gate receipts, well-attended due to the presence of favorite son Palmer. At the time of his big Akron payday, the U.S. Open was Nicklaus' only tour victory as a rookie, but he won the next two events at [[Seattle Open Invitational|Seattle]] ($4,300)<ref name=nwsopn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zf1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2175%2C3310008 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=Nicklaus wins Seattle Open |date=September 17, 1962 |page=3B}}</ref><ref name=uwsob2>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1962/09/17/page/70/article/nicklaus-wins-seattle-open-by-2-strokes|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |agency=UPI |title=Nicklaus wins Seattle Open by 2 strokes |date=September 17, 1962 |page=4, sec. 4}}</ref> and [[Portland Open Invitational|Portland]] ($3,500).<ref name=owipbnk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bP1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6721%2C4665187 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=UPI |title=Open won in Portland by Nicklaus |date=September 24, 1962 |page=2B}}</ref>

In [[1963 PGA Tour|1963]], Nicklaus won two majors, so a fourth player was added to the World Series via an 18-hole playoff between the three men who had lost playoffs in that year's majors; Palmer and [[Jacky Cupit]] in the [[1963 U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] and [[Phil Rodgers]] in the [[1963 Open Championship|Open Championship]].<ref name=playoff>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19630817&id=cDozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ozIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=5722,4190312 |title=Palmer, Cupit, Rodgers in Series playoff |newspaper=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=California |agency=UPI |page=8 |date=August 17, 1963}}</ref> Palmer prevailed by five strokes in the August playoff.<ref name=psnnbts>{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/08/21/page/39/article/palmers-69-beats-cupit-and-rodgers |work=Chicago Tribune |agency=UPI |title=Palmer's 69 beats Cupit and Rodgers |date=August 21, 1963 |page=3, sec. 3}}</ref><ref name=apagltr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cwNPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NUsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6243,2185379 |newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record |location=Washington |agency=Associated Press |last=Mooshil |first=Joe |title=Palmer golf win adds glitter to 'World Series' |date=August 21, 1963 |page=8}}</ref> Nicklaus repeated as the World Series winner in September, one stroke ahead of [[Julius Boros]], with Palmer in third and [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]] in fourth.<ref name=nwfkwsr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N9BSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=438DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2909%2C1657080|work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |agency=UPI |title=Nicklaus wins $50,000 in 'World Series' repeat |date=September 9, 1963 |page=4B}}</ref><ref name=inbyone>{{cite news|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/09/09/page/63/article/its-nicklaus-by-1-for-50-000 |work=Chicago Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=It's Nicklaus by 1-for $50,000 |date=September 9, 1963 |page=3, sec. 3 }}</ref><ref name=ftdwfn>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uzhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7egDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5316%2C2965268|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=$50,000 win for Nicklaus over Boros |date=September 9, 1963 |page=11}}</ref> The opposite tour event in 1963 was the [[Utah Open]] in [[Salt Lake City]], with a winner's share of $6,400.<ref name=jnpiruo>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N9BSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=438DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7069%2C1646496 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Ferguson |first=George |title=Jacobs nabs prize in richest Utah Open |date=September 9, 1963 |page=2B}}</ref><ref name=tjhofuwn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uzhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7egDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3273%2C2964737|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Tom Jacobs "hangs on" for Utah win |date=September 9, 1963 |page=11}}</ref>

The first year with four players as reigning major champions was [[1964 PGA Tour|1964]], the first without Nicklaus.<ref name=wsogts>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BVBSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AH0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4101,336177|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |location=Florida |agency=Associated Press |title=World Series of golf to start |date=September 11, 1964 |page=1-C }}</ref> [[Tony Lema]] took the top spot, followed by [[Ken Venturi]], [[Bobby Nichols]], and Palmer.<ref name=tbhbst>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U81YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xegDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5212%2C4606292|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Tony beats holes, beds, saves title |date=September 14, 1964|page=12}}</ref><ref name=tlviws>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CP1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5832%2C2759578|newspaper=Eugene-Register Guard |location=Oregon|agency=Associated Press|title=Tony Lema victor in World Series |date=September 14, 1964 |page=3B }}</ref> This was also the first year without a concurrent PGA Tour event.

In the final year of the four-man format in 1975, [[Tom Watson (golfer)|Tom Watson]] won with a two-stroke advantage over runner-up Nicklaus. The money was the same as in 1962, except that third place received $7,500, claimed by [[Tom Weiskopf]].<ref name=twevajofz>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jfJLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ae0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4156%2C2934978|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Tom Watson easy victor as Jack, others foozle|date=September 8, 1975}}</ref> Nicklaus had won his second major of the year, the [[1975 PGA Championship|PGA Championship]], at the same course a month earlier. In the fourteen editions of the event, Nicklaus played in ten, won four, and finished as runner-up in six.

In subsequent years, if one had won multiple majors, the alternate was the winner of the [[Western Open]] or [[Canadian Open (golf)|Canadian Open]].<ref name=ws66/><ref name=ws71/><ref name=ws72/><ref name=ws74/><ref name=ws75/>

The format of the four major winners in a 36-hole competition was later adopted by the [[PGA of America]] in 1979 for its [[PGA Grand Slam of Golf]], last held in 2014.

From [[1961 PGA Tour|1961]] through 1976, Firestone also hosted the [[American Golf Classic]] on the South course. It was not played in the years of the PGA Championship ([[1960 PGA Championship|1960]], [[1966 PGA Championship|1966]], [[1975 PGA Championship|1975]]), and the final edition in 1976 was played on the par-72 North course, with the World Series on the South course the following week.<ref name=sdc2inrw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-CMwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2vgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5056%2C2723830 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Akron ready to play host to 2 in a row |date=August 25, 1976 |page=45}}</ref>

=== PGA Tour event === In [[1976 PGA Tour|1976]], it became a 72-hole, $300,000 PGA Tour event and its field was initially expanded to twenty;<ref name=ngharws /><ref name=wsgship >{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w7oqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LmcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2689%2C4433939 |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |location=Florida |last=Achenbach |first=Jim |title=World Series of Golf still has its problems |date=March 27, 1976 |page=3C}}</ref><ref name=bacgous>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W2RNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EfsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6974%2C1151198 |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |location=Florida |last=Valerino |first=John |title=Beman accomplished his goal of upgrading Series |date=September 5, 1976 |page=4C}}</ref> the victory and $100,000 winner's share went to Nicklaus.<ref name="nshdbt"/> The largest first prize at a major that year was $45,000 at the [[1976 PGA Championship|PGA Championship]].

The World Series of Golf quickly became a leading event on the tour.<ref name=bwtmsmt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ayMsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GskEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2858%2C1427094 |newspaper=Florence Times |location=Alabama |agency=UPI |title=Beman wants to make Series 'major' tourney |date=October 5, 1978 |page=24 }}</ref> For many years a victory in it gave a 10-year exemption on the PGA Tour, the same as was granted for a victory in a major championship at that time, and twice as long as is given even for winning a major now. The field consisted of the winners of all the high status men's professional golf tournaments around the world in the previous twelve months.

The field was expanded in [[1984 PGA Tour|1984]] to include some international players, all tour event winners, and the top fifteen on the current money list, with 47 players eligible.<ref name=gtexps/><ref name=wsefdelg/> The expansion wasn't well-received by all players, and a notable absence was [[Seve Ballesteros]] of [[Spain]], who opted out.<ref name=gserrevsns>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y6YrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4PwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7154%2C4731705 |newspaper=Nashua Telegraph |location=New Hampshire |agency=Associated Press |title=Golf Series revises format |date=August 25, 1983 |page=27 }}</ref>

==Winners==

=== PGA Tour event === {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" !Year !Winner !Score !To par !Margin of victory !Runner(s)-up !Winner's share ([[United States dollar|$]]) |- !colspan=8 |NEC World Series of Golf |- | [[1998 PGA Tour|1998]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[David Duval]] || align=center|269 || align=center|−11 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Phil Mickelson]] || align=center|405,000 |- | [[1997 PGA Tour|1997]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Norman]] (2) || align=center|273 || align=center|−7 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Phil Mickelson]] || align=center|396,000 |- | [[1996 PGA Tour|1996]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Phil Mickelson]] || align=center|274 || align=center|−6 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Mayfair]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Duffy Waldorf]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Stricker]] || align=center|378,000 |- | [[1995 PGA Tour|1995]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Norman]] || align=center|278 || align=center|−2 || Playoff || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Mayfair]] {{flagicon|ZWE}} [[Nick Price]] || align=center|360,000 |- | [[1994 PGA Tour|1994]] || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[José María Olazábal]] (2) || align=center|269 || align=center|−11 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Hoch]] || align=center|360,000 |- | [[1993 PGA Tour|1993]] || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} [[Fulton Allem]] || align=center|270 || align=center|−10 || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jim Gallagher Jr.]] {{flagicon|ZWE}} [[Nick Price]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Craig Stadler]] || align=center|360,000 |- | [[1992 PGA Tour|1992]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Craig Stadler]] (2) || align=center|273 || align=center|−7 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Corey Pavin]] || align=center|252,000 |- | [[1991 PGA Tour|1991]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Purtzer]] || align=center|279 || align=center|−1 || Playoff || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jim Gallagher Jr.]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Davis Love III]] || align=center|216,000 |- | [[1990 PGA Tour|1990]] || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[José María Olazábal]] || align=center|262 || align=center|−18 || 12 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lanny Wadkins]] || align=center|198,000 |- | [[1989 PGA Tour|1989]] || {{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} [[David Frost (golfer)|David Frost]] || align=center|276 || align=center|−4 || Playoff || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ben Crenshaw]] || align=center|180,000 |- | [[1988 PGA Tour|1988]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Reid (golfer)|Mike Reid]] || align=center|275 || align=center|−5 || Playoff || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Watson (golfer)|Tom Watson]] || align=center|162,000 |- | [[1987 PGA Tour|1987]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Curtis Strange]] || align=center|275 || align=center|−5 || 3 strokes || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Fulton Allem]] || align=center|144,000 |- | [[1986 PGA Tour|1986]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dan Pohl]] || align=center|277 || align=center|−3 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lanny Wadkins]] || align=center|126,000 |- | [[1985 PGA Tour|1985]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Roger Maltbie]] || align=center|268 || align=center|−12 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|ZWE}} [[Denis Watson]] || align=center|126,000 |- | [[1984 PGA Tour|1984]] || {{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Denis Watson]] || align=center|271 || align=center|−9 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bruce Lietzke]] || align=center|126,000 |- !colspan=8 |World Series of Golf |- | [[1983 PGA Tour|1983]] || {{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Nick Price]] || align=center|270 || align=center|−10 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1982 PGA Tour|1982]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Craig Stadler]] || align=center|278 || align=center|−2 || Playoff || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Raymond Floyd]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1981 PGA Tour|1981]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bill Rogers (golfer)|Bill Rogers]] || align=center|275 || align=center|−5 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Kite]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1980 PGA Tour|1980]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Watson (golfer)|Tom Watson]] || align=center|270 || align=center|−10 || 2 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Raymond Floyd]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1979 PGA Tour|1979]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lon Hinkle]] || align=center|272 || align=center|−8 || 1 stroke || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Larry Nelson]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bill Rogers (golfer)|Bill Rogers]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1978 PGA Tour|1978]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gil Morgan]] || align=center|278 || align=center|−2 || Playoff || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hubert Green]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1977 PGA Tour|1977]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lanny Wadkins]] || align=center|267 || align=center|−13 || 5 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]] {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Weiskopf]] || align=center|100,000 |- | [[1976 PGA Tour|1976]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || align=center|275 || align=center|−5 || 4 strokes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]] || align=center|100,000 |}

===Unofficial event=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" !Year !! Winner !! Runner(s)-up !! Third !! Fourth |- !colspan=8 |World Series of Golf |- | 1975 ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Watson (golfer)|Tom Watson]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]]     || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Weiskopf]]<ref name=ws75>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6hUOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W30DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4670,1130325 |title=Nicklaus has ax to grind |newspaper=Evening Independent |location=St. Petersburg, Florida |agency=Associated Press |page=5-C |date=September 5, 1975}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lou Graham]] |- | 1974 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]] ||{{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Nichols]]<ref name=ws74>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GwswAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5_oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7200,1730787 |title=Player Favored, Nicklaus favorite in prestigious golf World Series |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |location=Florida |agency=Associated Press |page=3B |date=September 7, 1974}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]] |- | 1973 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Weiskopf]] || colspan="2" |(T2) {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny Miller]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tommy Aaron]] |- | 1972 ||{{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] || colspan="2" |(T2) {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gay Brewer]]<ref name=ws72>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oIxfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2351,1632660 |title=Player, Trevino, Brewer face Nicklaus in Series |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |page=14 |date=September 8, 1972}}</ref> |- | 1971 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Charles Coody]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]] ||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bruce Crampton]]<ref name=ws71>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nMctAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5978,721478 |title=Coody in front by three strokes |newspaper=Reading Eagle |location=Pennsylvania |agency=Associated Press |page=60 |date=September 12, 1971}}</ref> |- | 1970 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || colspan="2" |(T2) {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Casper]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dave Stockton]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Jacklin]] |- | 1969 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Orville Moody]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[George Archer]] || colspan="2" |(T3) {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tony Jacklin]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Raymond Floyd]] |- | 1968 || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Goalby]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Julius Boros]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]] |- | 1967 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gay Brewer]] ||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Roberto De Vicenzo]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Don January]] |- | 1966 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gene Littler]]<ref name=ws66>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MAoeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E1EEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3209,904315 |title=Littler Has Many Thanks |newspaper=The Dispatch |location=Lexington, North Carolina |agency=UPI |date=September 12, 1966}}</ref> || colspan="2" |(T2) {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Geiberger]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Casper]] |- | 1965 || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dave Marr]] |- | 1964 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tony Lema]] || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ken Venturi]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bobby Nichols]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Arnold Palmer]]<ref name=tlviws/> |- | 1963 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Julius Boros]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Arnold Palmer]]{{efn|name=palmerplayoff|Palmer won an 18-hole playoff against [[Jacky Cupit]] and [[Bill Rogers (golfer)|Bill Rogers]] the two other runners-up in the two majors' playoffs in 1963.<ref name=playoff/><ref name=psnnbts/><ref name=apagltr/> The playoff was required as [[Jack Nicklaus]] had won two majors that year. The playoff would decide the fourth player to take place in the event.}} ||{{Flagicon|NZL}} [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]]<ref name=ftdwfn/> |- | 1962{{efn|name=palmer1962|Palmer had won two majors in 1962, and no fourth player was added to the event.}} || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || colspan="2" |(T2) {{flagicon|USA}} [[Arnold Palmer]], {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]]<ref name=wpfjbtw/><ref name=wswbjk/> || style="background:#DCDCDC;"|  |}

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center" !Place!!Money ([[United States dollar|$]]) |- | 1 || 50,000 |- | 2 || 15,000 |- | 3 || 7,500^ |- | 4 || 5,000 |} ^ Third place was $5,000 in the first three editions (1962–1964)

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:Former PGA Tour events]] [[Category:Golf tournaments in Ohio]] [[Category:Sports competitions in Akron, Ohio]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1962]] [[Category:Recurring sporting events disestablished in 1998]] [[Category:1962 establishments in Ohio]] [[Category:1998 disestablishments in Ohio]]