Brad Faxon

Last updated

Brad Faxon
BradFaxonATTNational3.jpg
Personal information
Full nameBradford John Faxon Jr.
Born (1961-08-01) August 1, 1961 (age 63)
Oceanport, New Jersey, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight180 lb (82 kg; 13 st)
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Residence Barrington, Rhode Island, U.S.
Career
College Furman University
Turned professional1983
Current tour(s) PGA Tour Champions
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Professional wins21
Highest ranking 11 (May 25, 1997) [1]
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour8
PGA Tour of Australasia1
PGA Tour Champions2
Other10
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament T9: 1993
PGA Championship 5th: 1995
U.S. Open T33: 1989, 1994
The Open Championship 7th: 1994
Achievements and awards
Haskins Award 1983
Payne Stewart Award 2005

Bradford John Faxon Jr. (born August 1, 1961) is an American professional golfer. He has won eight times on the PGA Tour.

Contents

Early years and amateur career

Faxon was born in Oceanport, New Jersey [2] and raised in Barrington, Rhode Island. [3] He attended Furman University, and earned a Bachelor of Economics degree in 1983. [2]

At Furman, Faxon was a two-time All-American (1982, 1983) as a member of the golf team. He played on the 1983 Walker Cup team. Faxon won the Haskins Award for the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States in 1983. He also received that same year's Golf Magazine and NCAA Coaches Awards as the nation's outstanding amateur golfer. [4] He turned professional in 1983. [2]

Professional career

PGA Tour

Faxon has won eight times on the PGA Tour and played on two Ryder Cup teams. [4] While admittedly not a great driver of the golf ball or a great ball-striker, Faxon has built a reputation as one of the best pure putters in golf history. He led the PGA Tour in Putting Average in 1996, 1999, and 2000 (when he set the single-season record with only 1.704 putts/greens in regulation), and finished 13th in 2005 at the age of 44. Faxon explains his success on the greens thus: "My only secret is confidence... I just try to hit every putt as if I've just made a million in a row."

Faxon had been one of the most successful players on the PGA Tour throughout the 1990s, a mainstay in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings, but a knee injury began to hamper his effectiveness in 2003, causing him to suffer through his worst season in 14 years in 2004. Faxon bounced back in 2005, though, winning his first tournament in four years and finishing 45th on the PGA Tour Money List. On September 19, 2005, he underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right knee. Faxon returned to competition for the 2006 season, in which he earned over $500,000. [4]

In addition to his success on the PGA Tour Faxon played quite well on the Australasian Tour. He won the 1993 Australian Open, finished second in the 1993 Air New Zealand Shell Open, and finished in third place at the 1995 Greg Norman Holden International. [5]

Champions Tour

Faxon made his Champions Tour debut at the 2011 3M Championship, where he finished T-31. He won his first title in October at the Insperity Championship.

Other projects

Charitable work

In addition to being one of the PGA Tour's top players over the past 25 years, Faxon is one of the game's most generous figures. In 1991, Faxon along with fellow Tour pro Billy Andrade, formed Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charities for Children, Inc., a non-profit organization that (as of 2005) has donated over $3 million to needy children in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts. For their charity work, Faxon and Andrade were awarded the 1999 Golf Writers Association of America's Charlie Bartlett Award, given to professional golfers for unselfish contributions to society. Since 1999, Andrade and Faxon have also served as hosts of the CVS Charity Classic, a golf tournament held at the Rhode Island Country Club each June, whose proceeds benefit the two players' charity. He also co-chair's Button Hole with Andrade, a short course that serves as a teaching and learning center for children. Faxon also runs his own junior golf foundation. [3] [4]

Broadcasting

In 2010, Faxon worked for NBC as an analyst on golf broadcasts during the season. [4] It was announced in July 2014 that Faxon would be joining Fox in 2015 as an on-air commentator along with David Fay. [6]

Fight for Furman golf

In 2014, Furman University announced the school was going to discontinue the golf program. Faxon helped lead an alumni drive to save the program. [7]

Personal

Faxon resides in Barrington, Rhode Island with his wife, Dory, and their four daughters. [3]

Amateur wins

Professional wins (21)

PGA Tour wins (8)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Aug 4, 1991 Buick Open −17 (66-68-71-66=271)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck
2Jul 26, 1992 New England Classic −16 (66-67-67-68=268)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Phil Mickelson
3Aug 23, 1992 The International 14 pts (4-7-7-14=14)2 points Flag of the United States.svg Lee Janzen
4Apr 6, 1997 Freeport-McDermott Classic −16 (68-69-66-69=272)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Bill Glasson, Flag of Sweden.svg Jesper Parnevik
5Sep 20, 1999 B.C. Open −15 (69-67-70-67=273)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk
6Jul 23, 2000 B.C. Open (2)−18 (68-66-68-68=270)1 stroke Flag of Mexico.svg Esteban Toledo
7Jan 21, 2001 Sony Open in Hawaii −20 (64-64-67-65=260)4 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman
8Aug 28, 2005 Buick Championship −14 (69-71-65-61=266)Playoff Flag of South Africa.svg Tjaart van der Walt

PGA Tour playoff record (3–6)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1991 Buick Open Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck Won with par on first extra hole
2 1992 Infiniti Tournament of Champions Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Elkington Lost to birdie on first extra hole
31992 Buick Open Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Elkington, Flag of the United States.svg Dan Forsman Forsman won with par on second extra hole
Faxon eliminated by par on first hole
4 1996 United Airlines Hawaiian Open Flag of the United States.svg Jim Furyk Lost to birdie on third extra hole
51996 Sprint International Flag of the United States.svg Clarence Rose Lost to eagle on third extra hole
6 1997 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Flag of New Zealand.svg Frank Nobilo Lost to par on first extra hole
7 1999 B.C. Open Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk Won with par on second extra hole
8 2003 Bell Canadian Open Flag of the United States.svg Bob Tway Lost to bogey on third extra hole
9 2005 Buick Championship Flag of South Africa.svg Tjaart van der Walt Won with birdie on first extra hole

PGA Tour of Australasia wins (1)

Legend
Flagship events (1)
Other PGA Tour of Australasia (0)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runners-up
1Nov 28, 1993 Heineken Australian Open −13 (65-74-66-70=275)2 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Mike Clayton, Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jeff Woodland

PGA Tour satellite wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Jun 15, 1986 Provident Classic −19 (67-62-69-63=261)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Scott Hoch

Other wins (9)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Jul 31, 1985 Rhode Island Open −6 (68-72-67=207)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Lewis
2Nov 20, 1994 Franklin Funds Shark Shootout
(with Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples)
−26 (68-64-58=190)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mark O'Meara and Flag of the United States.svg Curtis Strange
3Aug 22, 1995 Fred Meyer Challenge
(with Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman)
−13 (65-64=129)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Paul Azinger and Flag of the United States.svg Payne Stewart
4Aug 20, 1996 Fred Meyer Challenge (2)
(with Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman)
−18 (63-61=124)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Mark Calcavecchia and Flag of the United States.svg Billy Mayfair
5Aug 5, 1997 Fred Meyer Challenge (3)
(with Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman)
−19 (60-63=123)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas and Flag of the United States.svg Phil Mickelson
6Aug 24, 1999 Fred Meyer Challenge (4)
(with Flag of the United States.svg Billy Andrade)
−22 (61-61=122)2 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Elkington and Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler,
Flag of the United States.svg Jim Furyk and Flag of the United States.svg John Huston
7Nov 19, 2000 Franklin Templeton Shootout (2)
(with Flag of the United States.svg Scott McCarron)
−26 (64-66-60=190)Playoff Flag of Paraguay (1990-2013).svg Carlos Franco and Flag of the United States.svg Scott Hoch
8Aug 7, 2001 Fred Meyer Challenge (5)
(with Flag of the United States.svg Billy Andrade)
−24 (60-60=120)2 strokes Flag of France.svg Jean van de Velde and Flag of the United States.svg Fuzzy Zoeller
9Nov 11, 2001 Franklin Templeton Shootout (3)
(with Flag of the United States.svg Scott McCarron)
−33 (64-62-57=183)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg John Daly and Flag of the United States.svg Frank Lickliter

Other playoff record (2–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
11995 Fred Meyer Challenge
(with Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman)
Flag of the United States.svg Paul Azinger and Flag of the United States.svg Payne Stewart Won with birdie on first extra hole
22000 Franklin Templeton Shootout
(with Flag of the United States.svg Scott McCarron)
Flag of Paraguay.svg Carlos Franco and Flag of the United States.svg Scott Hoch Won with birdie on first extra hole
32001 CVS Charity Classic
(with Flag of South Africa.svg Gary Player)
Flag of the United States.svg Mark Calcavecchia and Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price Lost to birdie on first extra hole
42003 Franklin Templeton Shootout
(with Flag of the United States.svg Scott McCarron)
Flag of the United States.svg Chad Campbell and Flag of the United States.svg Shaun Micheel,
Flag of the United States.svg Hank Kuehne and Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Sluman
Kuehne/Sluman won with birdie on second extra hole
52006 CVS/pharmacy Charity Classic
(with Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Weir)
Flag of South Africa.svg Tim Clark and Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price Lost to birdie on second extra hole

Champions Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Oct 9, 2011 Insperity Championship −10 (69-65=134)*1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Armour III
2Apr 28, 2013 Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf
(with Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Sluman)
−23 (62-66-65=193)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk and Flag of the United States.svg Mike Goodes,
Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry and Flag of the United States.svg Gene Sauers

*Note: The 2011 Insperity Championship was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Results in major championships

Tournament198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open CUTCUTT50LA57CUTT33
The Open Championship CUTT11T73
PGA Championship CUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament T31T9T15T17T25CUTT26T24
U.S. Open 66CUTCUTT68T33T56T82T65T49
The Open Championship CUT7T15T33T20T11
PGA Championship CUTT48T15T14T305T17CUTT13T61
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006
Masters Tournament T10T12T23T31
U.S. Open CUTCUTT66CUTCUT
The Open Championship T47CUTT46T60T23
PGA Championship T27T59T29CUTT13CUTCUT
  Top 10
  Did not play

LA = Low Amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 0000281211
U.S. Open 0000001811
The Open Championship 0000161411
PGA Championship 0001162212
Totals00014206645

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament19841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006
The Players Championship T33CUTCUTCUTCUTT17T70CUTT67DQT6T494T35T46T77T26T36T11T42T46T16
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
DQ = disqualified
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament199920002001200220032004
Match Play R64QF3R32R64
Championship NT1T49T16T13
Invitational T63T9T32

1Cancelled due to 9/11

  Top 10
  Did not play

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = Tied
NT = No tournament

U.S. national team appearances

Amateur

Professional

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Leonard</span> American professional golfer

Justin Charles Garrett Leonard is an American professional golfer. He has twelve career wins on the PGA Tour, including one major, the 1997 Open Championship. He currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. He is one of only 5 players to win the U.S. Amateur, the NCAA Individual Championship and a major golf tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José María Olazábal</span> Spanish professional golfer

José María Olazábal Manterola is a Spanish Basque professional golfer from the Basque Country, who has enjoyed success on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour, and has won two major championships, both at The Masters.

William Thomas Andrade is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Champions Tour. He was previously a member of the PGA Tour, where he was a four-time winner.

Scott Mabon Hoch is an American professional golfer, who represented his country in the Ryder Cup in 1997 and 2002.

Jay Dean Haas is an American professional golfer formerly of the PGA Tour who now plays on the PGA Tour Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Triplett</span> American professional golfer

Kirk Alan Triplett is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, and PGA Tour Champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Bryant</span> American professional golfer (born 1954)

Bradley Dub Bryant is an American professional golfer.

Robert Raymond Tway IV is an American professional golfer. He has won numerous tournaments including eight PGA Tour victories. He spent 25 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking in 1986–87.

Joseph Martin "Jodie" Mudd is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.

Gregory John Chalmers is an Australian professional golfer. Chalmers has played primarily on the PGA Tour of Australasia and PGA Tour. He is a two-time winner of the Australian Open and late in his career eventually won a PGA Tour event, the 2016 Barracuda Championship.

Scott Michael McCarron is an American professional golfer who was formerly a member of the PGA Tour but now plays on the PGA Tour Champions.

The CVS Health Charity Classic was a professional golf tournament. It wass contested annually as a one-day, three-person team event. Each team is made up of one player from each of three Tours: PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, and LPGA Tour. The top two scores at each hole for the team count towards the team's final score.

Gene Craig Sauers is an American professional golfer, currently playing on the PGA Tour Champions. He had three wins on the PGA Tour and overcame a deadly skin condition that kept him off the golf course for five years. He won the U.S. Senior Open in 2016, a senior major championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Taylor (golfer)</span> Canadian professional golfer

Nicholas Alexander Taylor is a Canadian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. After turning professional in 2010, Taylor has won on the PGA Tour four times, including becoming the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open since 1954, which he did in 2023 at the Oakdale Golf & Country Club.

Colt Knost is a retired American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour. Beginning in January 2022, he became a regular analyst and on-course commentator for PGA Tour events televised by CBS Sports.

Michael Hayes Thompson is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He has won two tournaments on the PGA Tour, with the most recent one coming at the 2020 3M Open.

Eduardo Herrera is a Colombian professional golfer. Herrera was the first Colombian golfer to feature in the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings.

William John Horschel is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Kirk</span> American professional golfer

Christopher Brandon Kirk is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He won four tournaments on the PGA Tour between 2011 and 2015 and won again in 2023 after an almost eight-year drought and again in 2024. He finished second in the 2014 FedEx Cup Playoffs and reached a career-high of 16 in the world rankings during 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collin Morikawa</span> American professional golfer (born 1997)

Collin Morikawa is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He began his PGA Tour career with 22 consecutive made cuts, second only to Tiger Woods' 25-cut streak. Morikawa has six PGA Tour wins – including two major championships, the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship, winning both in his debut. In May 2018, Morikawa spent three weeks as the top-ranked golfer in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He also became the first American to win the Race to Dubai on the European Tour.

References

  1. "Week 21 1997 Ending 25 May 1997" (pdf). OWGR . Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "PGA Tour Profile – Brad Faxon". PGA Tour. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Brad Faxon bio". Billy Andrade Brad Faxon Charities for Children. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "PGA Tour Media Guide – Brad Faxon". PGA Tour. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  5. "Brad Faxon – 1995". OWGR.
  6. "Fox Sports announces addition of Faxon, Fay to 2015 USGA Championships golf coverage". Fox Sports. July 31, 2014.
  7. Furman reinstates men's golf program