Rudolph turned professional in 1958; he joined the PGA Tour in 1959 and was Rookie of the Year. He won five official PGA Tour events during his career. Rudolph also won the Tennessee State Open five times as a pro (1959, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1972). He played on the 1971 Ryder Cup team.[3]
In December 1959, Rudolph took part in a match against Sam Snead on NBC's World Championship Golf. After Snead found a 15th club in his bag on the 12th hole of the match, Snead decided to stage the conclusion of the televised match to show the official result, a Rudolph win, during its final holes after the 11 hole penalty on Snead led to an 11 and 7 win for Rudolph. After the match was over, Snead said he staged the result by missing putts in order to not spoil the show. The controversy erupted as the broadcast aired in April 1960, months after hearings into the quiz show rigging scandals, and the sponsor cancelled its participation once Snead admitted he staged the match to show the legal result after he officially lost the match at the 12th hole with the discovery of the violation. Legally, Snead recreated the legal outcome and did not fix the match, as the outcome was clinched on the 12th hole. Modern broadcasts would disclose that portions of the match not affecting the outcome of the game were edited or recreated.[5]
Honors and awards
Rudolph was inducted as a charter member of the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.[3] A 9-hole, regulation-length golf course in his hometown is named for him.[6] A men's and a women's collegiate golf tournament also bears his name.
