Ed Oliver

Ed Oliver

Edward Stewart "Porky" Oliver, Jr. (September 6, 1916 – September 21, 1961) was an American professional golfer. (Birth year sometimes stated as 1915.)

Oliver was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He earned his nickname because he stood 5 foot 9 inches but weighed 240 pounds. He won 8 times on the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s. He was well known for finishing second in several major championships but not letting it get him down; lost to Ben Hogan in the finals of the 1946 PGA Championship, second to Julius Boros in the 1952 U.S. Open, and second to Ben Hogan in the 1953 Masters. He also finished in a tie with Lawson Little and Gene Sarazen at the 1940 U.S. Open before being disqualified for teeing off 30 minutes early. He played on three Ryder Cup teams (1947, 1951, and 1955). He lost several years of playing time while serving in the Army during World War II.

Oliver died in Wilmington, Delaware of cancer in 1961. In 1976, he was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame on the first year it opened.