Billy Casper, prolific PGA Tour winner, dies at 83

SAN DIEGO - Billy Casper, a prolific winner on the PGA Tour whose career was never fully appreciated in the era of the ''Big Three,'' died Saturday at his home in Utah. He was 83.

Bob Casper said his father coped with heart issues after passing out at the Masters last year and went through a bout of pneumonia over Thanksgiving. He said Casper died at home with wife Shirley at his side. They had been married 62 years.

Casper won 51 times, including three majors, on the PGA Tour. Only six other players have won more. He won 33 times in the 1960s but was overshadowed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Casper won the 1966 U.S. Open with a back-nine rally to beat Palmer.