Gene Littler, Hall of Fame golfer who overcame cancer, dies at 88

Gene Littler, a Hall of Fame golfer whose fluid swing carried him to 29 victories on the PGA Tour and a U.S. Open title in 1961, died Feb. 15 in San Diego. He was 88.

A son, Curt Littler, confirmed the death. The cause was not disclosed.

Mr. Littler, a standout golfer in the 1950s and 1960s, was known as “Gene the Machine” for what golfing great Gene Sarazen called a perfect swing — like Sam Snead’s, “only better.”