Haas was born in Portland, Arkansas.

After graduating from Dermott High School, he graduated from Louisiana State University in 1937, winning the NCAA individual championship in his senior year.

Haas's first PGA Tour win, at the Memphis Invitational as an amateur, broke Byron Nelson's record streak of 11 straight victories (Nelson finished 4th).

Haas died in Metairie, Louisiana at age 88.

[2] this list may be incomplete PGA Tour playoff record (2–3) Amateur Professional NT = no tournament WD = withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place R256, R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in match play Sources: U.S. Open and U.S.