Jacky Cupit, Four-Time PGA TOUR Winner, Dies at 82

Jacky Cupit, a four-time PGA TOUR winner and a mainstay of professional golf for decades, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Plano, Texas, at the age of 82.

Cupit’s career was marked by resilience and consistency, qualities forged during a challenging childhood. Losing his father at age seven, he and his five siblings worked as caddies in Texas to support their family. He earned a modest income, often just 90 cents for a full day’s work, with the occasional 10-cent tip for a ball-free round.

Early Career and Family Success

Cupit turned professional alongside his brother Buster, and the pair achieved notable success, finishing as runners-up to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus in the 1966 PGA National Two Ball Tournament. The Cupit brothers were part of a golden era of golf that too included Ben Hogan and Sam Snead.

PGA TOUR Breakthrough and Near Major Victory

Cupit earned PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors in 1961 with a victory at the Canadian Open. He consistently contended in major championships, most notably at the 1963 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline. He tied Julius Boros and Arnold Palmer at the end of regulation play, ultimately finishing second to Boros in a playoff, a result many spectators felt could have gone either way.

Amateur Accomplishments and Playing Style

Prior to his professional career, Cupit excelled as an amateur, winning 39 tournaments. He was a two-time All-American at the University of Houston and contributed to three NCAA Championship teams. Known for his consistent ball-striking, a skill honed with advice from Byron Nelson – “He said to always keep your arms close to your body on those shots” – Cupit rarely defeated himself, according to longtime friend Roy Pace.

Later Career and Legacy

Cupit retired from competition in 1974 due to back problems but later returned to play on the PGA TOUR Champions after turning 50 in 1988. Throughout his career, he participated in 272 PGA TOUR events and 26 PGA TOUR Champions events. He was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, cementing his place in the history of the sport.