Ava Romero
Former Augusta State University golfer Taylor Smith, who lost the PGA Tour's Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic in 1996, died on July 21, 2007, at the age of 40. Smith's death came as a shock to many, including his friends and fellow golfers. While the exact cause of his death is not publicly known, Smith had faced personal struggles and challenges in his career, including relationship issues, substance abuse, and the aftermath of his disqualification from the 1996 tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Richard Taylor Smith |
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1967 |
| Date of Death | July 21, 2007 |
| Age | 40 |
| Place of Death | Texas home |
| Occupation | Golfer |
| Notable Events | Disqualified from the 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic for an illegal grip on his long putter |
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What You'll Learn
Taylor Smith was disqualified from the 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic
In 1996, golfer Taylor Smith was disqualified from the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic tournament. Smith had been a 54-hole leader and was tied with Tiger Woods at the end of regulation play, with the pair seemingly headed for a sudden-death playoff. However, it was revealed that Smith's putter had an illegal grip, violating USGA rules. Fellow competitor Lennie Clements had noticed the grip and alerted officials on the ninth hole, but Smith was allowed to continue playing while he appealed the ruling. Smith's appeal was quickly denied, and he was disqualified, giving Woods his second career win.
Smith's disqualification was a significant moment in his career, and it is speculated that it affected him deeply. Smith had a rocky road after the incident, facing relationship issues and struggling with alcohol and prescription painkiller abuse in the 1990s. His father believed that the disqualification bothered Smith more than he let on, and it may have impacted his future prospects in the sport.
The Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic was a notable tournament on the PGA Tour. Founded in 1971, it offered players a chance to earn or retain their PGA Tour cards. Smith's disqualification in 1996 not only affected him personally but also made national headlines, given the high-profile nature of the tournament and the potential career implications.
The disqualification was a memorable moment in the history of the tournament and for those who knew Smith. After his unexpected death in 2007, people reflected on his talent and the impact of that day on his career. Smith's disqualification remains a footnote in the tournament's history, highlighting the importance of adhering to equipment regulations in professional golf.
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Smith died aged 40 at his Texas home
Richard Taylor Smith, the former Augusta State University golfer, died aged 40 on July 21, 2007, at his Texas home. Smith, who was born in Pensacola, Florida, spent most of his life in Waycross, Georgia. He played college golf at Augusta College (now Augusta State University) and later played on the Nike Tour and the PGA Tour from 1992 to 1998.
Smith's best finish on the Nike Tour was a win at the 1992 Ben Hogan Permian Basin Open. On the PGA Tour, his best finish was T-2 at the 1996 Greater Vancouver Open. Smith gained national attention in 1996 when he tied with Tiger Woods at the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic on the PGA Tour. However, he was disqualified after it was revealed that his putter had an illegal grip.
This disqualification appeared to have a significant impact on Smith's career and life. He faced various challenges, including relationship issues and struggles with alcohol and prescription drug abuse. Despite these setbacks, Smith was reportedly planning a comeback before his untimely death. The cause of his death at the age of 40 is not mentioned in the sources.
Smith's death came as a shock to many, including his friends and those in the golfing community. His passing highlighted the ups and downs of his career, with his disqualification from the 1996 tournament being a memorable footnote. Smith's talent and passion for the game were evident, and his death at such a young age left a lasting impact on those who knew and followed him.
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He was planning a comeback to the PGA Tour
Richard Taylor Smith, an American professional golfer, was planning a comeback to the PGA Tour before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 40 on July 21, 2007, in Houston, Texas. Smith, who was born in Pensacola, Florida, and spent most of his life in Waycross, Georgia, had a notable college golf career at Augusta College (now Augusta State University) before turning pro.
Smith's talent was evident from an early stage, and he went on to play on the Nike Tour and the PGA Tour from 1992 to 1998. His best finish on the Nike Tour was a win at the 1992 Ben Hogan Permian Basin Open. On the PGA Tour, his standout performance was at the 1996 Greater Vancouver Open, where he tied for second place.
However, Smith is perhaps best remembered for his controversial disqualification at the 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic on the PGA Tour. During this tournament, Smith tied with Tiger Woods at the end of regulation play, seemingly forcing a playoff. Unfortunately, it was discovered that Smith's putter had an illegal grip, resulting in his disqualification and giving Woods the victory.
After this incident, Smith's career took a downward turn, and he struggled with personal issues, including relationship problems and substance abuse. His last PGA Tour appearance was in 1998, and he worked as a caddie at Houston CC in his later years. Despite these challenges, those close to him noticed a renewed passion for the game in his last couple of years.
John Maginnes, a former PGA Tour player and friend, confirmed Smith's intentions for a comeback, stating that "The old talent was still there, and there was a renewed sparkle in his eye in the last couple of years that can only be born of a passion for the game." Unfortunately, Smith's untimely death cut short his plans for a return to the PGA Tour.
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Smith had a history of relationship issues, alcohol abuse and prescription drug abuse
Richard Taylor Smith, an American professional golfer, died at the age of 40 on July 21, 2007, at his Texas home. Smith had a history of relationship issues, alcohol abuse, and prescription drug abuse.
Smith's disqualification from the 1996 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic tournament for using an illegal grip on his long putter seemed to have affected him deeply. Smith's friend and former PGA Tour player, John Maginnes, recalled that Smith had a "renewed sparkle in his eye in the last couple of years" and was planning a comeback. However, Smith's death came as a shock to those who knew him and was described as "disturbing" and "hurtful".
Smith's issues with alcohol and prescription drug abuse were well-documented. In a 2000 magazine profile, Smith's rocky road of relationship woes and substance abuse in the 1990s was highlighted. His abuse of prescription painkillers was reportedly spawned by a painful ingrown toenail. Despite his struggles, Smith continued to work in the golf industry as a caddie at Houston CC in his later years.
Smith's disqualification from the 1996 tournament appeared to be a significant event in his life, and it is possible that it contributed to his substance abuse and relationship issues. While the exact cause of Smith's death is unknown, his early demise at the age of 40 suggests that his history of personal troubles may have played a role.
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He was a former Augusta State University golfer
Richard Taylor Smith was a former Augusta State University golfer who played on the Nike Tour and the PGA Tour from 1992 to 1998. Smith was born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1967 and spent most of his life in Waycross, Georgia. He played college golf at Augusta College (now Augusta State University) and turned pro after his sophomore year.
Smith led the Augusta State University Jaguars to the 1986 Big South Conference title. He played in mini-tours, including the Nike Tour (now the Nationwide Tour), before making the PGA Tour in 1996. It was at the 1996 Disney tournament that Smith made national headlines. He had tied Tiger Woods at the end of regulation play and appeared to be heading for a sudden-death playoff. However, it was revealed that Smith's putter had an illegal grip, and he was disqualified, giving Woods the victory.
Smith's disqualification in 1996 seemed to mark a turning point in his career. His final PGA Tour appearance was in 1998, and his last Nationwide Tour event came later that year. After that, Smith's life took a downward turn, with relationship troubles and struggles with alcohol and prescription drug abuse. Despite these challenges, he was reportedly planning a comeback to the golfing world before his death.
On July 21, 2007, Smith died unexpectedly at the age of 40 at his home in Texas. The cause of death was not mentioned, but his passing came as a shock to those who knew him. Smith's friend and former PGA Tour player, John Maginnes, recalled the talent and passion Smith had for the game, suggesting that he still had much to offer the golfing world.
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Frequently asked questions
Richard Taylor Smith, the former Augusta State University golfer, died at his Texas home on July 21, 2007, at the age of 40.
The cause of Taylor Smith's death is not publicly known. However, it was unexpected and came as a tremendous shock to his friends and family.
It is known that Taylor Smith struggled with alcohol abuse and addiction to prescription painkillers in the 1990s, but it is not clear if these issues persisted until his death in 2007.
