“He’s a thoroughbred. Everybody out here knows he can play,” – Jim Colbert. These words, spoken about Jay Sigel after his historic win at the GTE West Classic, proved to be prophetic. Sigel’s impressive career as both an amateur and professional golfer left an indelible mark on the sport. With a plethora of accolades, including multiple U.S. Amateur titles and a Bob Jones Award from the USGA, Sigel’s legacy was already cemented before he even turned pro at the age of 50.

Sadly, Jay Sigel passed away on April 19, 2025, at the age of 81, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. His remarkable life was marked by both incredible golfing achievements and personal resilience, including overcoming a severe injury in his college days that could have derailed his golf career.

His most recent public appearance was a luncheon hosted by Kevin Hammer, the USGA’s president-elect and chair of the Championship Committee for Sigel. The other guests present were former PGA Tour/Champions Tour player Bob Murphy (Hammer’s godfather), newly retired Oakmont/Seminole pro Bob Ford, and Darrell Kestner, the longstanding head pro at Deepdale on Long Island (New York). A few days later, he suffered a stroke and was brought to the hospital, where he stayed until his death.

Sigel’s decision to turn pro after turning 50 was a family affair, with his wife and daughters weighing in on the decision. Ultimately, his daughters’ excitement and his wife’s support convinced him to take the leap. Sigel’s first win on the PGA TOUR Champions came at the GTE West Classic, where he overcame a 10-stroke deficit to win in a playoff. This victory set the stage for a successful professional career, during which he won eight titles and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1994.

Throughout his career, Sigel was known for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly demeanor, earning praise from PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady, who said, “Jay Sigel was one of the finest amateur golfers this country has ever produced, and he left an indelible mark on our Tour once he turned pro… We mourn his passing, and as a Tour, we send our condolences.”

Sigel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their three daughters, Jennifer, Amy, and Megan, as well as six grandchildren, per the PGA Tour’s official website.

Jay Sigel always believed everything happened ‘for a reason’

Sigel’s remarkable career was marked by numerous achievements, including two U.S. Amateur titles and three U.S. Mid-Amateur victories. He played in nine Walker Cup matches, serving as playing captain twice, and was the low amateur in the 1984 US Open at Winged Foot. A near-fatal hand injury in college led Sigel to reassess his plans to turn pro, and he instead built a successful career as an amateur, later joining the PGA Tour Champions at 50 and winning eight times.

Sigel’s legacy extends far beyond his impressive playing credentials, according to Kevin Hammer, the USGA’s president-elect. “He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from,” Hammer said. Sigel’s philosophy on life was reflected in his response to the hand injury that changed his golf career trajectory: “I always thought things happen for a reason. The hand injury was the best thing to happen to me.” The injury occurred when Sigel’s left hand went through a glass door after someone inadvertently slammed it shut while he was leaning against it. The severe cut required 72 stitches, and Sigel spent nine days in the hospital recovering. His passing has a profound impact on the golf community, and several fans and enthusiasts mourn the loss of this gem of a person.