Former US Ryder Cup captain and three-time major winner Billy Casper has died at the age of 83.

Casper won the US Open in 1959 and 1966 and the Masters in 1970, and was among the most prolific players on the PGA Tour between 1956 and 1975.

He suffered a heart attack and died at his home in Springview, Utah on Saturday.

"Billy Casper was one of the greatest family men - be it inside the game of golf or out - I have had the fortunate blessing to meet," golfing great Jack Nicklaus, who competed against Casper during the 1960s and 70s, said on Facebook.

"He had such a wonderful balance to his life. Golf was never the most important thing in Billy's life, family was. There was always much more to Billy Casper than golf. But as a golfer, Billy was a fantastic player, and I don't think he gets enough credit for being one."

Casper, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978, sits seventh on the PGA Tour's all-time victories list.