Cesar Sanudo

Early life

Sanudo was born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico with his four siblings. Like many other Hispanic professional golfers of the era, Sanudo got his start in golf by caddying. His first job was at Tijuana Country Club in 1954. During his teens he moved from Tijuana to San Diego. He graduated from El Cajon High School in El Cajon, California. While in high school he improved on his golf game through San Diego's elite juniors program.

Amateur career

Sanudo had a number of highlights as an amateur golfer. He made the semi-final of the 1965 U.S. Amateur. He also won winning the 1966 Mexican Amateur. He qualified for the 1966 Masters Tournament as an amateur.

Professional career

Sanudo primarily played on tour between 1969 and 1982, vacillating between full-time and part-time status. His sole PGA Tour win came at the 1970 Azalea Open Invitational held in Cape Fear, North Carolina; he earned $12,000 for his efforts by defeating Bobby Mitchell by one stroke at 15-under-par 269. Sanudo described it as the proudest moment of his professional career. With the win, Sanudo became the first Mexican player to win on the PGA Tour. He was later followed by Victor Regalado in 1974 and Carlos Ortiz in 2020.

Nearly two years after his PGA Tour victory, Sanudo seriously contended for a major championship for the only time. At the 1972 U.S. Open he was tied for the lead after two rounds. Over the weekend, in the high winds at Pebble Beach, he fell back considerably with scores of 78-77 but would still finish in the top 10.

Sanudo finished second at the European Tour's 1974 Benson & Hedges Match Play Championship to Australia's Jack Newton. He defeated British golfers Maurice Bembridge and David Jagger on his way to reaching the finals. It was the only time he would finish runner-up on either the European Tour or PGA Tour.

By the mid-1970s, he lost his full-time playing status and worked in the used car business.

Personal life

Sanudo was in a relationship with Kris Houghton – now Kris Jenner – in the mid-1970s. After they broke up he married Jacqui Schenz. They had three children: Amber, Anthony, and Lee. Lee is a local teaching professional.

Sanudo was good friends with Lee Trevino. He also played golf with Presidents Nixon, Ford, and George H.W. Bush.

Sanudo died in 2011 in La Mesa, California.

Amateur wins

• 1966 Mexican Amateur

Professional wins (2)

PGA Tour wins (1)

Other wins (1)

• 1973 Columbia Open

Results in major championships

Note: Sanudo never played in The Open Championship. CUT = missed the half-way cut

"T" = tied

Source:

References

References

1. Radosta, John S.. (1978-06-30). "Sanudo Leads by Stroke With 67 in Western Open". The New York Times.
2. Leonard, Tod. (August 30, 2011). "Sanudo was 'idol, hero' to many in golf circles". Hartford Courant.
3. (September 16, 1974). "Newton powers his way to title". The Glasgow Herald.
4. (2010-09-20). "Cesar Sunado". Coronado Municipal Golf Course.
5. "Cesar Sanudo – Profile". PGA Tour.
6. "Today in Golf History: October 4".
7. Leonard, Tod. (June 28, 2001). "Senior golfer regains spring in his step". San Diego Union-Tribune.
8. Oppenheimer, Jerry. (2017). "The Kardashians: An American Drama". St. Martin's Press.
9. (2016-08-17). "Talkin' Golf with Lee Sanudo".
10. (September 12, 2011). "Sanudo: 1970 Azalea champ dies at 67".
11. (April 9, 1966). "Master's Scorecard". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
12. "Cesar Sanudo".