PaulRunyan--theArkansasfarmboywhostoodfivefeet,sixinchesandweighed130pounds--shockedthegolfworldbydefeatinglongandlean,sweet-swingingSamSneadinthefinalsofthe1938PGAChampionship,thusearningthenickname“LittlePoison.“RunyandidmorethanbeatSnead:heshellackedhimasdecisivelyasDavidtoppledmightyGoliath.Hisresoundingvictorywassoconvincing,sodominant,thatevenSneadhadtoshakehisheadwhenitwasfinishedandwonderhowtheporkpie-wearing,pint-sizedgolfprohadgottenthebetterofhiminthethirty-six-holefinal.OnebookmakermadeSneada10-to-1favoritebeforethematch.DespiteSnead’sphysicalgifts--heroutinelyoutdroveRunyanbyfiftyyardsormore--SneadwasnomatchforRunyan,theunderdogvictorinoneofgolf’sfourmajorchampionships.LittlePoisonisthestoryofamanwhomadeacareeroutofpunchingabovehisweightonthegolfcourse.Runyanwontwenty-ninePGAtournamentsbetween1930and1941,aswellasanothermajorchampionshipin1934.RunyanservedinthenavyduringWorldWarII,joiningSneadandotherprominentprofessionalswhoplayedexhibitionmatchestoentertaintroopsandhelpraisemoney.Afterthewarheplayedsparingly--butsuccessfully--andfocusedonhiscareerasaninstructor,teachinghisrevolutionaryshort-gametechniques.LittlePoisonfollowsRunyanthroughoutthesestagesofhislife,fromanonymitytostardomandintogolfmythology.AttheheartofRunyan’sstoryishisDepression-eragrit.Hebelievedpassionatelythatpropertechniqueandrelentlesshardworkwouldoutlasttalentandbrawn.AmericanswhoemergedfromtheGreatDepressionlikelyhadalittleRunyaninthem,too,makinghimtheperfectsportsherofortheera.HisstorybegannotontheimmaculatefairwaysofacountryclubbutonafarminHotSprings,Arkansas,nearagolfcoursewithoiledsandgreens.Adisadvantage,somewouldsay--butnotRunyan.Onthosesandsurfaceshedevelopedasustainabletechniquethatbecamethebedrockofhishalloffamecareer.
