Roger Maltbie was born on this day in 1951. An American professional golfer and on-course analyst for NBC Sports and ESPN.
Maltbie was born in Modesto, California and grew up in San Jose. He attended James Lick High School where he was a teammate of former PGA Tour player Forrest Fezler. Maltbie attended San Jose City College (1970-1971), and then went on to San Jose State University; he was a member of the golf team at both institutions. He turned pro in 1973, joined the PGA Tour in 1974, and played on the Tour full-time from 1975 – 1996.
Maltbie won five official Tour events between 1975 and 1985, including back-to-back wins in his first full year. After his win at the 1975 Pleasant Valley Classic, Maltbie left his $40,000 winner’s check behind in a bar.
In his second year on tour, Maltbie won the inaugural Memorial Tournament by defeating Hale Irwin on the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff. On the playoff’s third hole, an errant shot by Maltbie seemed headed for the gallery when it hit a stake causing the ball to bounce onto the green instead.
He had more than 55 top-10 finishes. In 1985, he won two tournaments, earned $360,554, and finished 8th on the money list. His best finish in a major was T4 at the 1987 Masters. Maltbie calls losing that tournament the biggest disappointment of his career.
Maltbie began play on the Senior PGA Tour after turning 50 in June 2001. His best finish at this level is a 20th at the 2003 Baylor Advantage Invitational.