Paul Runyan was short in stature, barely weighing more than 130 pounds in his prime. Raised on an Arkansas dairy farm, Runyan learned the hard way that golf and life guaranteed nobody anything. Success had to be earned.

As a golfer, Runyan lacked size and strength but crafted what many consider to be the best short game in history. His unique skills and relentless attitude won him a series of important victories in the 1930s. Yet, his triumphs often felt like a surprise. His path to victory always seemed beset by more obstacles than his fellow pros.

Runyan’s game was put to the ultimate test in the summer of 1938. During a summer heat wave in Pennsylvania, Runyan clawed his way into the finals of the PGA Championship, where his opponent was Sam Snead, a long-hitting, southern-drawling golf prodigy from the backwoods of Virginia who was on a trajectory to become the best golfer in the world. In fact, many sportswriters already viewed him as the game’s best player, a talent unmatched throughout history. Bookmakers made Snead a heavy favorite. A Runyan victory seemed unlikely.

Only somebody forgot to tell Runyan.