Charles had to do it the hard way too, tying with American Phil Rodgers after 72 holes then returning on the Monday to win a 72-hole playoff. Charles first came to prominence in 1954 when at 18 he won the New Zealand Open at Heretaunga, still the youngest winner. He turned professional in 1960. He has had many other tournament wins in the United States and Europe and, since he turned 50, has been playing on the US Senior Tour. He won the Senior British Open, also at Lytham – the name he has given to his North Canterbury farm. Charles is also a golf course designer and was responsible for the Formosa Country Club in Auckland and the Millbrook resort near Queenstown. Charles donates one per cent of his annual earnings to the New Zealand Golf Foundation. He was knighted in the New Year honours, 1999. (Michael Campbell became the second New Zealander to win a major when he won the United States Open in 2005). Return to the Inductee list