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Mark O'Meara

American professional golfer


American professional golfer

FieldValue
nameMark O'Meara
imageO'Meara.jpg
captionO'Meara in 2005
fullnameMark Francis O'Meara
birth_date
birth_placeGoldsboro, North Carolina, U.S.
death_date
height
weight195 lb
nationality
residenceSouthern Highlands, Nevada, U.S.
spouse
Meredith O'Meara
children3
collegeLong Beach State University
yearpro1980
tourPGA Tour Champions
extourPGA Tour
prowins34
pgawins16
eurowins5
japwins2
asiawins
auswins1
champwins3
seneurowins
otherwins9
majorwins2
mastersWon: 1998
usopenT3: 1988
openWon: 1998
pgaT4: 1998
wghofidmark-omeara
wghofyear2015
award1PGA Tour
Rookie of the Year
year11981
award2PGA Tour
Player of the Year
year21998
award3PGA Player of the Year
year31998
awardssection
module{{Infobox personembed=yes
signatureMark_O'Meara_signature.jpg

Meredith O'Meara Rookie of the Year](pga-tour-rookie-of-the-year) Player of the Year](pga-tour-player-of-the-year) Mark Francis O'Meara (born January 13, 1957) is an American retired professional golfer. He was a tournament winner on the PGA Tour and around the world from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. He spent nearly 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking from their debut in 1986 to 2000. He won two major championships, the 1998 Masters Tournament and the 1998 Open Championship, becoming the oldest player to win two majors in one year. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.

Early life

O'Meara was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina specifically in Mission Viejo, California. He took up golf at age 13, sneaking on to the nearby Mission Viejo Country Club. O'Meara later became an employee of the club and played on his high school golf team.

O'Meara was an All-American at Long Beach State, and won the U.S. Amateur in 1979, defeating defending champion John Cook, 8 and 7, in the final. He also won the California State Amateur Championship that year.

Professional career

After graduating with a degree in marketing in 1980, O'Meara turned professional and would win 16 events on the PGA Tour, beginning with the Greater Milwaukee Open in 1984, and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am five times. His best year as a professional golfer came relatively late in his career – in 1998 at age 41 – when he won two majors: The Masters and the British Open. O'Meara's victory in The Masters came during his 15th attempt. O'Meara attributed this resurgence partly to the inspiration of working with Tiger Woods, the new superstar of the game at the time, with whom O'Meara had become good friends. In the same year, he won the Cisco World Match Play Championship and reached a career best of second in the Official World Golf Ranking.

O'Meara is known for competing outside the United States more often than most leading American golfers, and has won tournaments in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. A man with a genial demeanor, he is one of the most popular figures in international golf. In the new millennium his form took a downturn and he began to struggle with injuries, but in 2004 he won an official tour event for the first time since 1998, taking the Dubai Desert Classic title, which despite being played in the Middle East is a European Tour event.

After the European Tour tournament Lancome Trophy at Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche, 30 km west of Paris, France in September 1997, which was won by O'Meara, he was involved in a controversy. Runner-up was Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden. A television viewer in Sweden observed that, on the 15th green in the final round, O'Meara, facing a two and a half foot putt, had replaced his ball half an inch closer to the hole than had been indicated by his marker. Sandelin wrote to O'Meara in March 1998, sent a video recording of the incident and asked for an explanation. O'Meara insisted he had not intended to gain any advantage and sought advice from the PGA and European Tours, who informed him that the tournament was over and the result stood. Sandelin went public with the story and demanded that O'Meara should hand back the trophy and the prize money. O'Meara admitted in April 1998, he may, without intention, have broken the rules of golf on his way to winning the 1997 Lancome Trophy.

Senior career

In 2007, O'Meara began play on the Champions Tour; he had many top-10 finishes in his first three seasons including several runner-up finishes, but no wins. In 2010, he broke through with a win in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf with Nick Price, followed by his first senior major victory in the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship. O'Meara was sidelined by a rib injury for several months starting in April 2012; he missed the majors on both tours and did not compete until August.

O'Meara has begun to develop a golf course design practice and enjoys fishing in his off time. He is currently a brand ambassador for Pacific Links International. In March 2019, O'Meara won the Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona. He shot a final round seven-under 66, to win by four shots. This win ended an eight-year win drought on the PGA Tour Champions.

O'Meara retired in September 2024 after the PURE Insurance Championship, having announced that it would be his last professional event, and missing the cut.

Personal life

O'Meara was a former resident of Orlando, Florida and once lived in the same neighborhood as Tiger Woods. The two became good friends and frequently golfed together during this time. Today, O'Meara resides in Southern Highlands, Nevada.

Awards and recognition

  • In 1981, O'Meara earned PGA Tour Rookie of the Year
  • In 1998, he received that year's BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year, an award given to a non-British sportsperson considered to have made the most substantial contribution to a sport in a year.
  • In 1998, O'Meara earned PGA Tour Player of the Year honors
  • In 1998, he earned PGA Player of the Year honors
  • In 2015, O'Meara was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Amateur wins

  • 1979 U.S. Amateur, California State Amateur Championship

Professional wins (34)

PGA Tour wins (16)

Legend
Major championships (2)
Other PGA Tour (14)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
1Sep 16, 1984Greater Milwaukee Open67-68-69-68=272−165 strokesUSA Tom Watson
2Feb 3, 1985Bing Crosby National Pro-Am70-72-68-73=283−51 strokeJPN Kikuo Arai, USA Larry Rinker,
USA Curtis Strange
3Feb 10, 1985Hawaiian Open67-66-65-69=267−211 strokeUSA Craig Stadler
4Jan 29, 1989AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (2)66-68-73-70=277−111 strokeUSA Tom Kite
5Feb 4, 1990AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (3)67-73-69-72=281−72 strokesUSA Kenny Perry
6Oct 7, 1990H.E.B. Texas Open64-68-66-63=261−191 strokeUSA Gary Hallberg
7Oct 19, 1991Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic66-66-71-64=267−211 strokeUSA David Peoples
8Feb 2, 1992AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (4)69-68-68-70=275−13PlayoffUSA Jeff Sluman
9Mar 12, 1995Honda Classic68-65-71-71=275−91 strokeENG Nick Faldo
10Sep 10, 1995Bell Canadian Open72-67-68-67=274−14PlayoffUSA Bob Lohr
11Jan 7, 1996Mercedes Championships68-69-66-68=271−173 strokesENG Nick Faldo, USA Scott Hoch
12Apr 28, 1996Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic75-68-62-69=274−142 strokesUSA Duffy Waldorf
13Feb 2, 1997AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (5)67-67-67-67=268−201 strokeUSA David Duval, USA Tiger Woods
14Feb 9, 1997Buick Invitational67-66-71-71=275−132 strokesUSA David Ogrin, USA Donnie Hammond,
SWE Jesper Parnevik, USA Craig Stadler,
USA Lee Janzen, USA Mike Hulbert,
USA Duffy Waldorf
15Apr 12, 1998Masters Tournament74-70-68-67=279−91 strokeUSA Fred Couples, USA David Duval
16Jul 19, 1998The Open Championship72-68-72-68=280EPlayoffUSA Brian Watts

PGA Tour playoff record (3–4)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11981Tallahassee OpenUSA Dave Eichelberger, USA Bob MurphyEichelberger won with birdie on first extra hole
21983Phoenix OpenUSA Rex Caldwell, USA Bob Gilder,
USA Johnny MillerGilder won with birdie on eighth extra hole
Miller and O'Meara eliminated by birdie on second hole
31991Bob Hope Chrysler ClassicUSA Corey PavinLost to birdie on first extra hole
41992Bob Hope Chrysler ClassicUSA John Cook, USA Rick Fehr,
USA Tom Kite, USA Gene SauersCook won with eagle on fourth extra hole
Fehr eliminated by birdie on second hole
Kite and O'Meara eliminated by birdie on first hole
51992AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AmUSA Jeff SlumanWon with par on first extra hole
61995Bell Canadian OpenUSA Bob LohrWon with par on first extra hole
71998The Open ChampionshipUSA Brian WattsWon four-hole aggregate playoff;
O'Meara: −1 (4-4-5-4=17),
Watts: +1 (5-4-5-5=19)

European Tour wins (5)

Legend
Major championships (2)
Other European Tour (3)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
1Aug 23, 1987Lawrence Batley International71-64-70-66=271−173 strokesENG Carl Mason
2Sep 14, 1997Trophée Lancôme69-67-66-69=271−131 strokeSWE Jarmo Sandelin
3Apr 12, 1998Masters Tournament74-70-68-67=279−91 strokeUSA Fred Couples, USA David Duval
4Jul 19, 1998The Open Championship72-68-72-68=280EPlayoffUSA Brian Watts
5Mar 7, 2004Dubai Desert Classic70-64-68-69=271−171 strokeIRL Paul McGinley

European Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11998The Open ChampionshipUSA Brian WattsWon four-hole aggregate playoff;
O'Meara: −1 (4-4-5-4=17),
Watts: +1 (5-4-5-5=19)

PGA of Japan Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victoryRunner-up
1May 12, 1985Fujisankei Classic67-67-66-73=273−113 strokesJPN Masashi Ozaki
2Oct 4, 1992Tokai Classic66-68-72-71=277−111 strokeUSA Tom Kite

PGA Tour of Australia wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victoryRunner-up
1Feb 23, 1986Australian Masters74-66-71-73=284−81 strokeAUS David Graham

South American Tour wins (1)

  • 1994 Argentine Open

Other wins (8)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
1Nov 16, 1985Isuzu Kapalua International67-70-70-68=275−13PlayoffUSA Corey Pavin
2Nov 19, 1989RMCC Invitational
(with USA Curtis Strange)66-62-62=190−266 strokesFRG Bernhard Langer and USA John Mahaffey,
USA Lanny Wadkins and USA Tom Weiskopf
3Aug 23, 1994Fred Meyer Challenge
(with USA John Cook)63-62=125−17PlayoffUSA Ben Crenshaw and USA Phil Mickelson
4Oct 18, 1998Cisco World Match Play Championship1 upUSA Tiger Woods
5Nov 29, 1998Skins Game$405,000$10,000USA Tom Lehman
6Nov 21, 1999World Cup of Golf
(with USA Tiger Woods)140-133-130-142=545−235 strokes− Santiago Luna and Miguel Ángel Martín
7Aug 8, 2000Fred Meyer Challenge (2)
(with USA John Cook)64-61=125−19PlayoffZAF David Frost and USA Jim Furyk
8Dec 1, 2002Skins Game (2)$405,000$105,000USA Phil Mickelson

Other playoff record (3–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11985Isuzu Kapalua InternationalUSA Corey PavinWon with birdie on third extra hole
21994Fred Meyer Challenge
(with USA John Cook)USA Ben Crenshaw and USA Phil MickelsonWon with par on second extra hole
32000Fred Meyer Challenge
(with USA John Cook)ZAF David Frost and USA Jim FurykWon with birdie on first extra hole

PGA Tour Champions wins (3)

Legend
PGA Tour Champions major championships (1)
Other Champions Tour (2)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victoryRunner(s)-up
1Apr 25, 2010Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf
(with ZIM Nick Price)62-64-62=188−28PlayoffUSA John Cook and USA Joey Sindelar
2Oct 10, 2010Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship68-68-69-68=273−7PlayoffUSA Michael Allen
3Mar 3, 2019Cologuard Classic66-70-66=202−174 strokesNIR Darren Clarke, USA Scott McCarron,
USA Kirk Triplett, USA Willie Wood

PGA Tour Champions playoff record (2–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12010Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf
(with ZIM Nick Price)USA John Cook and USA Joey SindelarWon with par on second extra hole
22010Constellation Energy Senior Players ChampionshipUSA Michael AllenWon with par on first extra hole
32011Songdo IBD ChampionshipUSA Jay Don Blake, USA John Cook,
AUS Peter SeniorBlake won with birdie on fifth extra hole
O'Meara and Senior eliminated by par on third hole
42012Boeing ClassicUSA Jay Don BlakeLost to birdie on second extra hole

Major championships

Wins (2)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreTo parMarginRunner(s)-up
1998Masters Tournament2 shot deficit74-70-68-67=279−91 strokeUSA Fred Couples, USA David Duval
1998The Open Championship2 shot deficit72-68-72-68=280EPlayoff1USA Brian Watts

1Defeated Brian Watts in 4-hole playoff: O'Meara (4-4-5-4=17), Watts (5-4-5-5=19)

Results timeline

Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters TournamentCUT2448T24T39T11
U.S. OpenCUTCUT58T7T15T41CUTT3CUT
The Open ChampionshipT47T3T43T6627T42
PGA ChampionshipT70CUTT25T28CUTCUTT9CUT
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters TournamentCUTT27T4T21T15T31T18T301T31
U.S. OpenCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTT16T36T32CUT
The Open ChampionshipT48T3T12CUTT49T33T381CUT
PGA ChampionshipT19CUTCUTCUTT6T26T13T4T57
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Masters TournamentCUTT20CUTT8T27T31CUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. OpenT51CUTT18T35CUT
The Open ChampionshipT26T42T22T65T30CUTT63T60CUTT70
PGA ChampionshipT46T22CUTCUTCUT
Tournament201020112012201320142015201620172018
Masters TournamentCUTCUTCUTCUTT22CUTCUTCUT
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUTCUTT58T78T63CUT
PGA Championship

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts madeTotals2037112811066
Masters Tournament10023113419
U.S. Open0011252311
The Open Championship1023353124
PGA Championship0001372212
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 11 (1995 Masters – 1999 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1998 Open Championship – 1998 PGA)

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament198119821983198419851986198719881989
The Players ChampionshipT26T77T49T5T17T333CUTCUT
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The Players ChampionshipWDCUTT95CUTCUTT29T70T42T6
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
The Players ChampionshipT9CUTCUTCUT
Tournament20102011
The Players Championship74

CUT = missed the halfway cut

WD = withdrew

"T" indicates a tie for a place

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament199920002001200220032004
Match PlayR64R32
ChampionshipNT1
InvitationalT25T27T72

1Cancelled due to 9/11

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play

"T" = Tied

WD = Withdrew

NT = No tournament

Senior major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionshipWinning scoreTo parMarginRunner-up
2010Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship68-68-69-68=273−7PlayoffUSA Michael Allen

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order before 2022.

Tournament20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
The TraditionT14T31T11T38T12T36T35T38T17T40T13NT72T54
Senior PGA ChampionshipT12T24T144T184T45T14T46T38NTT57
U.S. Senior OpenT11CUTT6CUT219T38WDCUTCUTCUTT38NTT52T41T51
Senior Players ChampionshipT31T32T915T39T6WDT3670T72WD66
Senior British Open ChampionshipT2T34T25T39T26WDT18NT

CUT = missed the halfway cut

WD = withdrew

"T" indicates a tie for a place

NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

References

References

  1. "69 Players Who Have Reached The Top-10 In World Ranking". Official World Golf Ranking.
  2. McAllister, Mike. (October 15, 2014). "Class of 2015 Hall of Famers receive surprise calls". PGA Tour.
  3. Foster, Chris. (March 9, 2007). "O'Meara Comes Home For Toshiba Classic". Long Beach State.com.
  4. (September 2, 1979). "Ohio State's Cook makes Am finals". Toledo Blade.
  5. (September 3, 1979). "O'Meara dethrones Cook, easily wins U.S. Amateur". Toledo Blade.
  6. (February 15, 2020). "U.S. Amateur Results: 1895 to Present". USGA.
  7. Chmiel, David. (August 18, 2015). "Mark O'Meara: U.S. Amateur Victory Provided Crucial Confidence". USGA.
  8. [http://www.outbackproam.com/pr_mark_omeara_070215.asp An Interview with: Mark O'Meara] {{webarchive. link. (October 9, 2007)
  9. Glover, Tim. (20 June 1999). "Golf: First Night - Jarmo Sandelin: The maverick of the fairways Europe's newest Ryder Cup player will test the team ethic". Independent.
  10. (30 April 1998). "O'Meara admits to possible misplacing". The Irish Times.
  11. (April 5, 2012). "O'Meara withdraws from Masters before 1st round". Yahoo Sports.
  12. (July 10, 2012}}{{dead link). "Former champ Mark O'Meara to miss British Open". Times of India.
  13. Babineau, Jeff. (September 18, 2024). "Mark O'Meara looking forward to one more walk at Pebble Beach, his true happy place". PGA Tour.
  14. Wargo, Buck. (June 5, 2020). "Golf champ Mark O'Meara buys Southern Highlands home". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  15. (14 December 1998). "Owen nets BBC sports award". BBC.
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