Curtis Strange

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Curtis Strange
Personal information
Full nameCurtis Northrup Strange
Born (1955-01-30) January 30, 1955 (age 69)
Norfolk, Virginia
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight180 lb (82 kg; 13 st)
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
SpouseSarah Strange
Children2 sons
Career
College Wake Forest University
Turned professional1976
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins29
Highest ranking 3 (June 19, 1988) [1]
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour17
European Tour2
Japan Golf Tour1
PGA Tour of Australasia3
Other8
Best results in major championships
(wins: 2)
Masters Tournament T2: 1985
PGA Championship T2: 1989
U.S. Open Won: 1988, 1989
The Open Championship T13: 1988
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame 2007 (member page)
Haskins Award 1974
PGA Tour
money list winner 		1985, 1987, 1988
PGA Player of the Year 1988

Curtis Northrup Strange (born January 30, 1955) is an American professional golfer and TV color commentator. He is the winner of consecutive U.S. Open titles and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He spent over 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking between their debut in 1986 and 1990. [2]

Contents

Amateur career

Strange and his identical twin brother, Allan, [3] were born in Norfolk, Virginia. [4] His father, a local country club owner, started him in golf at age 7. [3] Strange graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, then enrolled at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He played golf for the Demon Deacons and was part of the NCAA Championship team with Jay Haas and Bob Byman that Golf World has labeled "the greatest of all time". [5] In 1974 Strange was ranked the #2 amateur in the country by Golf Digest . The following year, he was ranked number #3.

In the spring of 1976, Strange intended to transition from amateur to professional despite still being a junior in college. At this point, he was known for having one of the best amateur careers of all time. According to the golf columnist for The Charlotte Observer , Richard Sink, "Strange, only a junior, will leave behind a collegiate record perhaps unmatched." He finished in the top ten in all of his 25 college matches and finished in the top 5 in 21 of those. He won nine individual events and was the youngest NCAA Champion in golf at the time. [6] In 1976, he was ranked #9 amateur in the country by Golf Digest . [7]

Professional career

Strange was one of the leading players on the PGA Tour in the 1980s; 16 of his 17 tour victories took place in that decade. He topped the money list in 1985, 1987, and 1988, when he became the first to win a million dollars in official money in a season. His two majors were consecutive U.S. Opens in 1988 and 1989. Since World War II, only three golfers have successfully defended their titles at the U.S. Open; Brooks Koepka in 2018, Strange in 1989, and Ben Hogan in 1951. The 1989 U.S. Open was Strange's last win on tour. In other majors, he led midway through the final round at The Masters in 1985, but finished two strokes back. Strange was also a runner-up at the PGA Championship in 1989, one stroke back. He played on five Ryder Cup teams (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, and 1995) and captained the team in 2002. [3]

Despite skipping the Open Championship several times in his prime, [8] Strange played a considerable amount of international tournaments. He won the 1986 ABC Japan-U.S. Match, an event on the Japan Golf Tour that included many American pros. He also played extensively on the Australasian Tour. He won three events in Australia in the late 1980s and early 1990s and recorded runner-up finishes at the 1976 Australian Open, [9] 1977 Colgate Champion of Champions, 1986 Air New Zealand Shell Open, and the 1990 Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup. Like Henrik Stenson and Ben Hogan, Strange was a natural left-hander who played right-handed.

Later career and honors

After reaching the age of 50 in January 2005, Strange began play on the Champions Tour, remarking, "I was getting worse and said, 'To hell with it.'" [10] His only top-five finishes came that first season; third place at the Constellation Energy Classic and a tie for fifth at the FedEx Kinko's Classic. [3] In 1997, he was hired as the lead golf analyst for ESPN/ABC, working alongside host Mike Tirico. He left due to a contract dispute before the 2004 U.S. Open, but rejoined ESPN/ABC at the 2008 U.S. Open, four years after he first left. In 2016, he was hired by Fox as a course reporter for their USGA championships. [11]

In this capacity he has provided commentary for several notable events, including Tiger Woods' playoff win at the 1997 Mercedes Championships, David Duval's final round of 59 at the 1999 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Jean van de Velde's collapse at the 1999 Open Championship, Woods achieving the career grand slam at the 2000 Open Championship, Peter Jacobsen becoming one of the oldest Tour winners at age 49 during the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, Woods' U.S. Open winning performance in 2008 (early rounds), Tom Watson nearly winning The Open Championship at age 59 in 2009, and Phil Mickelson's final nine charge to win in 2013. On April 18, 2007, Strange was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame, and was inducted on November 12 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. In May 2009, he was named to the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, which honors athletes, coaches and administrators who contributed to sports in southeastern Virginia.

Amateur wins

Professional wins (29)

PGA Tour wins (17)

Legend
Major championships (2)
Tour Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (14)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-up
1Oct 21, 1979 Pensacola Open 69-71-62-69=271−171 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Billy Kratzert
2May 4, 1980 Michelob-Houston Open 66-63-66-71=266−18Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino
3Aug 17, 1980 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic 69-65-70-69=273−112 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Gibby Gilbert
4Aug 21, 1983 Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open 69-62-69-68=268−161 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas, Flag of the United States.svg Jack Renner
5Sep 30, 1984 LaJet Golf Classic 68-67-67-71=273−152 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mark O'Meara
6Mar 3, 1985 Honda Classic 67-64-70-74=275−13Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen
7Mar 24, 1985 Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational 69-73-64-66-66=338−171 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Mike Smith
8Jul 7, 1985 Canadian Open 69-69-68-73=279−92 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus, Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman
9Apr 27, 1986 Houston Open (2)72-68-68-66=274−14Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Calvin Peete
10Jul 5, 1987 Canadian Open (2)71-70-66-69=276−123 strokes Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg David Frost, Flag of the United States.svg Jodie Mudd,
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price
11Aug 2, 1987 Federal Express St. Jude Classic 70-68-68-69=275−131 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Russ Cochran, Flag of the United States.svg Mike Donald,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Kite, Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Denis Watson
12Aug 30, 1987 NEC World Series of Golf 70-66-68-71=275−53 strokes Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Fulton Allem
13May 1, 1988 Independent Insurance Agent Open 69-68-66-67=270−18Playoff Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman
14May 29, 1988 Memorial Tournament 73-70-64-67=274−142 strokes Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg David Frost, Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin
15Jun 20, 1988 U.S. Open 70-67-69-72=278−6Playoff Flag of England.svg Nick Faldo
16Nov 14, 1988 Nabisco Championship 64-71-70-74=279−9Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Tom Kite
17Jun 18, 1989 U.S. Open (2)71-64-73-70=278−21 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck, Flag of the United States.svg Mark McCumber,
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam

PGA Tour playoff record (6–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1980 Michelob-Houston Open Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino Won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1981 Tournament Players Championship Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd, Flag of the United States.svg Barry Jaeckel Floyd won with par on first extra hole
3 1983 Joe Garagiola-Tucson Open Flag of the United States.svg Gil Morgan, Flag of the United States.svg Lanny Wadkins Morgan won with birdie on second extra hole
4 1985 Honda Classic Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen Won with par on first extra hole
5 1986 Houston Open Flag of the United States.svg Calvin Peete Won with birdie on third extra hole
6 1988 Independent Insurance Agent Open Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman Won with birdie on third extra hole
71988 U.S. Open Flag of England.svg Nick Faldo Won 18-hole playoff;
Strange: E (71),
Faldo: +4 (75)
81988 Nabisco Championship Flag of the United States.svg Tom Kite Won with birdie on second extra hole
9 1991 Doral-Ryder Open Flag of the United States.svg Rocco Mediate Lost to birdie on first extra hole

PGA of Japan Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1Nov 2, 1986 ABC Japan-U.S. Match 67-68-72-64=271−174 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck

PGA Tour of Australasia wins (3)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1Jan 10, 1988 Sanctuary Cove Classic 67-70-67-68=272−161 stroke Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam
2Jan 15, 1989 Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup 66-70-71-73=280−82 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd
3Dec 5, 1993 Greg Norman's Holden Classic 68-67-69-70=274−182 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Wade

PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1990 Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rodger Davis Lost to eagle on second extra hole

South American Golf Circuit wins (1)

Other wins (7)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-up
1Oct 5, 1980 Laurent-Perrier Trophy 62-70-68-68=268−2012 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Clampett
2Dec 14, 1980 JCPenney Mixed Team Classic
(with Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez)		70-65-67-66=268−202 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Gibby Gilbert and Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Spuzich,
Flag of the United States.svg Lori Garbacz and Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler
3Aug 19, 1986 Fred Meyer Challenge
(with Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen)		64−8Shared title with Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman and Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Gary Player
4May 26, 1989 PGA Grand Slam of Golf 73+12 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler
5Nov 19, 1989 RMCC Invitational
(with Flag of the United States.svg Mark O'Meara)		66-62-62=190−266 strokes Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer and Flag of the United States.svg John Mahaffey,
Flag of the United States.svg Lanny Wadkins and Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf
6Nov 26, 1989 Skins Game $265,000$175,000 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
7Nov 25, 1990 Skins Game (2)$220,000$130,000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Norman

Major championships

Wins (2)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up
1988 U.S. Open 1 shot lead−6 (70-67-69-72=278)Playoff1 Flag of England.svg Nick Faldo
1989 U.S. Open (2)3 shot deficit−2 (71-64-73-70=278)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck, Flag of the United States.svg Mark McCumber,
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Ian Woosnam

1Defeated Faldo in 18-hole playoff; Strange: 71 (E), Faldo: 75 (+4).

Results timeline

Tournament19751976197719781979
Masters Tournament CUTT15 LACUT
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship CUT
PGA Championship T58CUT
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament CUTT19T7CUTT46T2T21T12T21T18
U.S. Open T16T17T39T263T31CUTT411
The Open Championship T15T29T14T13T61
PGA Championship T5T27T1486CUTCUTCUT9T31T2
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament T7T42T31WDT279CUT
U.S. Open T21CUTT23T254T36T27CUTCUTCUT
The Open Championship CUTT38CUTCUTT72T44T19
PGA Championship CUTWDCUTCUTT19T17T26CUT
Tournament200020012002
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship T58CUTCUT
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

LA = Low amateur
CUT = missed the halfway cut
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 01014102014
U.S. Open 20155102215
The Open Championship 000004139
PGA Championship 0102362312
Totals221812307850

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament1978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The Players Championship CUTCUT21T2T51T8T33T33CUTCUTDQT34T16T6WDCUTCUTT23CUTCUTCUTT23
  Top 10

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

U.S. national team appearances

Amateur

Professional

Equipment

In 1988 when Strange won the U.S. Open, Ping recognized him with a golden putter replica of the Ping Zing 2 he used to win. A second one was made and placed in the Ping Gold Putter Vault. [12]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Week 25 1988 Ending 19 Jun 1988" (pdf). OWGR . Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  2. ↑ "69 Players Who Have Reached The Top-10 In World Ranking". Official World Golf Ranking. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "PGA Tour Media Guide – Curtis Strange" . Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  4. ↑ "PGA Tour Profile – Curtis Strange" . Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  5. ↑ Yocom, Guy (February 2005). "My Shot: Curtis Strange". Golf Digest. Archived from the original on March 5, 2005.
  6. ↑ "Wake Defends NCAA Title..." The Charlotte Observer. June 6, 1976. p. 31. Retrieved July 4, 2021– via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Dunaway Finds His Game..." The Charlotte Observer. January 30, 1977. p. 56. Retrieved July 3, 2021– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Yocom, Peter (July 7, 2007). "My Shot: Curtis Strange". Golf Digest. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  9. ↑ Peter, Thomson (November 1, 1976). "Par for the course for Jack". The Age. p. 33. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  10. ↑ Apfelbaum, Jim, ed. (2007). The Gigantic Book of Golf Quotations. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN   978-1-60239-014-0.
  11. ↑ "Fox Sports Signs Curtis Strange". Golf.com.
  12. ↑ "6 fascinating stories from Ping's Gold Putter Vault". PGA Tour. January 10, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
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