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David Frost (golfer)

South African professional golfer (born 1959)


Summary

South African professional golfer (born 1959)

FieldValue
nameDavid Frost
imageDavid Frost (9367966287).jpg
imagesize
captionFrost in 2013
fullnameDavid Laurence Frost
nicknameFrosty
birth_date
birth_placeCape Town, Cape Province, Union of South Africa
death_date
height
weight92 kg
sporting_nationality
residencePaarl, Western Cape, South Africa
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
children2
yearpro1981
tourPGA Tour Champions
extourPGA Tour
European Tour
Sunshine Tour
European Senior Tour
prowins29
pgawins10
eurowins2
japwins1
asiawins1
sunwins5
champwins6
seneurowins2
otherwins3
majorwins
mastersT5: 1995
usopenT15: 1986
open6th: 1987
pgaT10: 1987
wghofid
wghofyear
award1Byron Nelson Award
year11987
award2Southern Africa Tour
Order of Merit winner
year21998–99
awardssection
module{{Infobox personembed=yes
signatureDavid_Frost_(golfer)_signature.jpg

West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. European Tour Sunshine Tour European Senior Tour Order of Merit winner](southern-africa-tour-order-of-merit-winners) David Laurence Frost (born 11 September 1959) is a South African professional golfer who was ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Frost has 29 professional tournament wins to his name, spread across four continents, including the World Series of Golf, South African Open, Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge and Canadian Open. He has also been on the winning Alfred Dunhill Cup team and played in the Presidents Cup.

Early life

Frost was born in Cape Town, South Africa and graduated from Paarl Boys' High School in 1977. He used to be a cigarette salesman.

Professional career

In 1981, he turned professional. Frost scored his first professional win in his home country in 1983 and has continued to play in South Africa in the northern winter, but like other leading South African golfers he has spent far more time playing internationally.

In line with many other Commonwealth golfers, his first move abroad was to the European Tour and he played that tour from 1982 to 1984. South Africa was temporarily a republic outside the Commonwealth from 31 May 1961 to 31 May 1994 when he was playing in the early part of his career.

From 1985, he was primarily on the U.S.-based PGA Tour. He moved to Miami, Florida. In 1989, he won the NEC World Series of Golf, defeating Ben Crenshaw at the second playoff hole. He made the top ten on the PGA Tour money list twice, placing 9th in 1988 and 5th in 1993 and was ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 86 weeks between 1988 and 1994. By his forties, he was no longer a regular contender on the tour, but in 2005 he set the all time PGA Tour 72-hole putting record with 92 putts at the MCI Heritage.

In 2007, Frost re-established his career on the European Tour aiming on the senior tour when turning 50.

In June 2013, Frost won his maiden senior major championship at the 2013 Regions Tradition. He won by a single stroke over Fred Couples to claim his first major title in his 17th attempt. It was also his fifth career victory on the Champions Tour. In March 2015, Frost won his sixth Champions Tour title at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic by a single stroke over Tom Lehman and Kevin Sutherland.

Frost won the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in 1998/99. He was a member of the International Team in the first staging of the Presidents Cup in 1994, and took part again in 1996. In both 1997 and 1998 he captained South Africa to victory in the Alfred Dunhill Cup at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland. His teammates were Ernie Els and Retief Goosen on both occasions.

Private life

The son of a vintner himself, Frost owns a winery in the Western Cape, South Africa, which produces vintages named after golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus and the late Arnold Palmer.

Professional wins (29)

PGA Tour wins (10)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
12 Oct 1988Southern Open−10 (70-68-65-67=270)PlayoffUSA Bob Tway
26 Nov 1988Northern Telecom Tucson Open−22 (66-66-67-67=266)5 strokesUSA Mark Calcavecchia, USA Mark O'Meara
327 Aug 1989NEC World Series of Golf−4 (70-68-69-69=276)PlayoffUSA Ben Crenshaw
429 Apr 1990USF&G Classic−12 (71-70-66-69=276)1 strokeAUS Greg Norman
528 Jun 1992Buick Classic−16 (67-68-67-66=268)8 strokesUSA Duffy Waldorf
620 Sep 1992Hardee's Golf Classic−14 (62-68-64-72=266)3 strokesUSA Tom Lehman, USA Loren Roberts
712 Sep 1993Canadian Open−9 (72-70-69-68=279)1 strokeUSA Fred Couples
819 Sep 1993Hardee's Golf Classic (2)−21 (68-63-64-64=259)7 strokesUSA Payne Stewart, USA D. A. Weibring
926 Jun 1994Canon Greater Hartford Open−12 (65-68-66-69=268)1 strokeAUS Greg Norman
1025 May 1997MasterCard Colonial−15 (66-63-69-67=265)2 strokesUSA Brad Faxon, USA David Ogrin

PGA Tour playoff record (2–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11986Western OpenUSA Fred Couples, USA Tom Kite,
ZIM Nick PriceKite won with birdie on first extra hole
21988Manufacturers Hanover Westchester ClassicESP Seve Ballesteros, USA Ken Green,
AUS Greg NormanBallesteros won with birdie on first extra hole
31988Southern OpenUSA Bob TwayWon with birdie on first extra hole
41989NEC World Series of GolfUSA Ben CrenshawWon with par on second extra hole
51995MCI ClassicUSA Nolan Henke, USA Bob TwayTway won with par on second extra hole
Frost eliminated by par on first hole

European Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunners-up
121 Oct 1984Compagnie de Chauffe Cannes Open−8 (72-72-68-68=280)2 strokesSCO Gordon Brand Jnr, ENG John Morgan
224 Jan 1999Mercedes-Benz - Vodacom South African Open1−5 (69-69-73-68=279)1 strokeUSA Scott Dunlap, IND Jeev Milkha Singh

1Co-sanctioned by the Southern Africa Tour

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11997Alfred Dunhill South African PGA ChampionshipZWE Nick PriceLost to par on first extra hole

PGA of Japan Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner-up
122 Nov 1992Dunlop Phoenix Tournament−11 (72-69-69-67=277)PlayoffJPN Kiyoshi Murota

PGA of Japan Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11992Dunlop Phoenix TournamentJPN Kiyoshi MurotaWon with par on second extra hole

Asia Golf Circuit wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner-up
127 Feb 1994Kent Hong Kong Open−10 (69-69-69-67=274)PlayoffUSA Craig McClellan

Asia Golf Circuit playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11994Kent Hong Kong OpenUSA Craig McClellanWon with par on first extra hole

Southern Africa Tour wins (5)

Legend
Flagship events (1)
Other Southern Africa Tour (4)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
115 Jan 1983Gordon's Gin Classic−8 (71-70=68-71=280)5 strokesZIM Nick Price
28 Feb 1986Southern Suns South African Open−13 (72-70-66-67=275)3 strokesZIM Tony Johnstone
312 Dec 1987Safmarine South African Masters−15 (70-67-70-66=273)3 strokesENG Denis Durnian
416 Jan 1994Lexington PGA Championship−21 (64-67-65-63=259)7 strokesZIM Nick Price
524 Jan 1999Mercedes-Benz - Vodacom South African Open1 (2)−5 (69-69-73-68=279)1 strokeUSA Scott Dunlap, IND Jeev Milkha Singh

1Co-sanctioned by the European Tour

Southern Africa Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11997Alfred Dunhill South African PGA ChampionshipZIM Nick PriceLost to par on first extra hole

Other wins (3)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner-up
110 Dec 1989Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge−12 (67-66-75-68=276)3 strokesUSA Scott Hoch
29 Dec 1990Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge (2)−4 (71-71-71-71=284)1 strokeESP José María Olazábal
36 Dec 1992Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge (3)−12 (70-69-68-69=276)4 strokesUSA John Cook

Other playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
12000Fred Meyer Challenge
(with USA Jim Furyk)USA John Cook and USA Mark O'MearaLost to birdie on first extra hole

Champions Tour wins (6)

Legend
Champions Tour major championships (1)
Other Champions Tour (5)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
18 Aug 20103M Championship−25 (64-66-61=191)7 strokesUSA Mark Calcavecchia
222 Apr 2012Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf
(with USA Michael Allen)−29 (62-63-62=187)1 strokeUSA John Cook and USA Joey Sindelar
328 Oct 2012AT&T Championship−8 (71-71-66=208)PlayoffDEU Bernhard Langer
417 Mar 2013Toshiba Classic−19 (63-66-65=194)5 strokesUSA Fred Couples
59 Jun 2013Regions Tradition−16 (68-70-66-68=272)1 strokeUSA Fred Couples
629 Mar 2015Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic−10 (68-70-68=206)1 strokeUSA Tom Lehman, USA Kevin Sutherland

Champions Tour playoff record (1–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12010Senior PGA ChampionshipUSA Fred Couples, USA Tom LehmanLehman won with par on first extra hole
22012AT&T ChampionshipGER Bernhard LangerWon with birdie on second extra hole
32013Mitsubishi Electric Championship at HualalaiUSA John CookLost to birdie on second extra hole

European Senior Tour wins (2)

Legend
Tour Championships (1)
Other European Senior Tour (1)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
112 Dec 2010
(2011 season)Mauritius Commercial Bank Open−13 (70-64-69=203)PlayoffENG Roger Chapman
29 Dec 2012MCB Tour Championship (2)−11 (64-67-74=205)1 strokeAUS Peter Fowler, ENG Barry Lane

European Senior Tour playoff record (1–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12010Senior PGA ChampionshipUSA Fred Couples, USA Tom LehmanLehman won with birdie on first extra hole
22010Mauritius Commercial Bank OpenENG Roger ChapmanWon with par on second extra hole

Results in major championships

Tournament1983198419851986198719881989
Masters TournamentT458T18
U.S. OpenT23T15T17CUTT18
The Open ChampionshipCUTT47T25CUT6T7CUT
PGA ChampionshipCUTT21T10CUTT27
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters TournamentCUTT32CUTT35T5T1037T26
U.S. OpenT33CUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
The Open ChampionshipCUTCUTT24T51T31T41CUTT44T7
PGA ChampionshipT31T48T73CUTT25T67CUTCUTT56T21
Tournament20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010
Masters Tournament
U.S. OpenCUTCUTCUT
The Open ChampionshipT55CUTT15CUTT51
PGA Championship

CUT = missed the half-way cut

"T" = tied

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts madeTotals00017176137
Masters Tournament000134119
U.S. Open000004145
The Open Championship0000352113
PGA Championship0000141510
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (1986 PGA – 1988 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 3 (1987 Open Championship – 1988 Masters)

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament1986198719881989
The Players ChampionshipT48T15T3T8
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The Players ChampionshipCUTT41CUTCUTCUTT37T17WDT42T52
Tournament20002001200220032004
The Players ChampionshipT5775CUT

CUT = missed the halfway cut

WD = withdrew

"T" indicates a tie for a place

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament1999
Match Play
ChampionshipT59
Invitational

"T" = Tied

Senior major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
2013Regions Tradition1 shot lead−16 (68-70-66-68=272)1 strokeUSA Fred Couples

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order before 2022.

Tournament2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
The TraditionT2111T181T25T34T17T3467T22NTT66T57T63T67
Senior PGA ChampionshipT2T22T4T5T58T7CUTT18T12NTCUTT55CUT
U.S. Senior Open62DQWDT20T3T33T9T18T24NT
Senior Players ChampionshipT24T25T55T28T27T15T59T13T35T59T54T62T58T59
Senior British Open ChampionshipT146T15T3T21T67T1413T64T7NTT70T41

CUT = missed the halfway cut

WD = withdrew

DQ = disqualified

"T" indicates a tie for a place

NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Team appearances

Professional

  • Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 1984
  • Alfred Dunhill Cup (representing South Africa): 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 (winners), 1998 (winners), 1999, 2000
  • Presidents Cup (International Team): 1994, 1996
  • World Cup (representing South Africa): 1998, 1999
  • Alfred Dunhill Challenge (representing Southern Africa): 1995 (winners)

References

References

  1. "David Frost – Overview". European Tour.
  2. "The Daily Telegraph 14 Dec 1987, page 23".
  3. "69 Players Who Have Reached The Top-10 in World Ranking".
Wikipedia Source

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