Bean, 11-time Tour winner, dies after recent lung surgery

Andy Bean, an accomplished golfer with 11 PGA Tour victories, passed away at the age of 70, as confirmed by the PGA Tour on Saturday.

Born on March 13, 1953, in LaFayette, Georgia, Bean had an impressive collegiate career at the University of Florida, where he led his team to win the NCAA Championship in 1973 and received All-America honors three times. He was later inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.

Turning professional in 1975, Bean clinched his first Tour title two years later at the Doral-Eastern Open. He went on to win three times in 1978 and secured at least one victory in six of the next eight seasons, with his final triumph coming in the 1986 Byron Nelson Golf Classic.

In addition to his success on the PGA Tour, Bean also achieved three wins on the PGA Tour Champions, including the 2008 Charles Schwab Cup Championship at the remarkable age of 55. He was also a proud member of the U.S. Ryder Cup teams in 1979 and 1987.

Last month, it was reported that Bean had undergone a double lung replacement surgery following a battle with COVID-19. The Tour has now confirmed that he passed away in his hometown of Lakeland, Florida, after a six-week battle to recover. Bean leaves behind his wife, Debbie, three daughters, and grandchildren.