Todd Hamilton

Last updated

Todd Hamilton
Todd Hamilton.jpg
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Todd Hamilton
Born (1965-10-18) October 18, 1965 (age 59)
Galesburg, Illinois, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st)
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Residence Westlake, Texas, U.S.
Children3
Career
College University of Oklahoma
Turned professional1987
Current tour(s) Champions Tour
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Japan Golf Tour
Asia Golf Circuit
Professional wins17
Highest ranking 16 (July 18, 2004) [1]
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour2
European Tour1
Japan Golf Tour11
Other4
Best results in major championships
(wins: 1)
Masters Tournament T15: 2009
PGA Championship T29: 2003
U.S. Open T36: 2008, 2009
The Open Championship Won: 2004
Achievements and awards
Asia Golf Circuit
Order of Merit winner
1992
PGA Tour
Rookie of the Year
2004

William Todd Hamilton (born October 18, 1965) is an American professional golfer. He is best known for his victory at the 2004 Open Championship.

Contents

Early life

Hamilton was born in the small west-central Illinois city of Galesburg. He grew up in an even smaller town, Oquawka, in Henderson County on the Mississippi River. His parents were the owners of a small grocery story called "Hamilton's." He attended Union High School in Biggsville, Illinois (now West Central High School) and the University of Oklahoma, where he played collegiately.

Professional career

Hamilton turned professional in 1987 but was unable to gain entrance to the PGA Tour. Instead he played internationally for many years, primarily on the Japan Golf Tour after gaining his card as winner of the 1992 Asia Golf Circuit Order of Merit winner. [2] When he left the Japan Golf Tour after 12 seasons, he was the tour's 2nd all-time leading non-Japanese money winner (to USA's David Ishii), with earnings of over 630 million yen (about $6.18 million in 2014 US dollars) with 11 tour wins.

After eight tries, at the age of 38, Hamilton went back to Qualifying School in 2003, where he finally earned his first PGA Tour card.

Hamilton captured his first PGA Tour win at the 2004 Honda Classic. He birdied the final two holes to beat Davis Love III by one stroke at 12 under par. Later that year, Hamilton won a major championship in one of golf's all-time upsets when he defeated Ernie Els in a four-hole playoff to win The Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club. After shooting an opening round 71, Hamilton fired a second round 67 to move to -4 and a fifth-place tie with future World Golf Hall of Famers Els, Vijay Singh and Colin Montgomerie as well as Michael Campbell. Hamilton again shot a 67 in the third round to take a one-shot lead over Els. Entering the tournament's 72nd hole, Hamilton held a one-shot lead over Els, but Hamilton bogeyed the 18th hole, leaving Els with a 12-foot birdie putt for the win, which he missed. Els and Hamilton headed for the four-hole aggregate playoff, in which Hamilton carded four pars while Els managed three pars and a bogey, and Hamilton took the win. [3]

These two victories in his first season on the PGA Tour led to Hamilton being named the 2004 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and reaching a peak world ranking of 16. [4] In his 187 subsequent tour starts, he missed the cut 111 times and had just three top-10 finishes. [5] In 2006, Hamilton captained the American team in ITV's celebrity golf tournament, the All*Star Cup.

He lost his full exempt status on the PGA Tour in 2010. Hamilton played on the Web.com Tour in 2014 and 2015. [6] Hamilton became eligible to play on the Champions Tour after turning fifty years of age in October 2015.

Personal life

Hamilton lives in Westlake, Texas.

Professional wins (17)

PGA Tour wins (2)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (1)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Mar 14, 2004 The Honda Classic −12 (68-66-68-74=276)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Davis Love III
2Jul 18, 2004 The Open Championship −10 (71-67-67-69=274)Playoff Flag of South Africa.svg Ernie Els

PGA Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 2004 The Open Championship Flag of South Africa.svg Ernie Els Won four-hole aggregate playoff;
Hamilton: E (4-4-3-4=15),
Els: +1 (4-4-4-4=16)

Japan Golf Tour wins (11)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Aug 23, 1992 Maruman Open −16 (65-67-67-73=272)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Masashi Ozaki
2Aug 15, 1993 Acom International 40 pts (7-15-3-15=40)2 points Flag of Australia (converted).svg Craig Warren
3Jul 3, 1994 PGA Philanthropy Tournament −10 (74-69-68-67=278)Playoff Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Eiji Mizoguchi
4Sep 4, 1994 Japan PGA Match-Play Championship Promise Cup 8 and 7 Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Ikuo Shirahama
5Mar 12, 1995 Token Corporation Cup −7 (70-71-68-72=281)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Senior
6Jun 30, 1996 PGA Philanthropy Tournament (2)−13 (69-69-68-69=275)2 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Kazuhiro Takami
7Sep 27, 1998 Gene Sarazen Jun Classic −18 (71-66-68-65=270)2 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Craig Parry
8May 11, 2003 Fujisankei Classic −17 (67-67-65-68=267)5 strokes Flag of Japan.svg Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Flag of Japan.svg Shigeru Nonaka
9Jun 1, 2003 Diamond Cup Tournament −12 (67-72-72-65=276)3 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steven Conran
10Jun 29, 2003 Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open −10 (67-72-72-65=278)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brendan Jones
11Sep 7, 2003 Japan PGA Match-Play Championship (2)3 and 2 Flag of New Zealand.svg David Smail

Japan Golf Tour playoff record (1–4)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1994 PGA Philanthropy Tournament Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Eiji Mizoguchi Won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1996 Fujisankei Classic Flag of the United States.svg Brian Watts Lost to par on first extra hole
31996 Mitsubishi Galant Tournament Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Masashi Ozaki Lost to par on first extra hole
41996 Pocari Sweat Yomiuri Open Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Kazuhiro Fukunaga Lost to birdie on second extra hole
4 2002 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup Flag of Japan.svg Yoshimitsu Fukuzawa, Flag of Japan.svg Kenichi Kuboya Kuboya won with birdie on fourth extra hole
Fukuzawa eliminated by birdie on second hole

Asia Golf Circuit wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Apr 19, 1992 Maekyung Open −8 (68-70-69-73=280)Playoff Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lin Chie-hsiang
2Feb 5, 1995 Thai Airways Thailand Open −17 (68-68-70-65=271)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Steve Veriato

Asia Golf Circuit playoff record (2–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1992 Sanyang Republic of China Open Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lin Chie-hsiang, Flag of the United States.svg Craig McClellan Lin won with birdie on first extra hole
21992 Maekyung Open Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lin Chie-hsiang Won with par on first extra hole
3 1995 Thai Airways Thailand Open Flag of the United States.svg Steve Veriato Won with par on second extra hole

Other wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Mar 22, 1992 Rolex Masters −10 (70-67-66-71=274)4 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Gerry Norquist, Flag of the United States.svg Lee Porter
2Aug 29, 1999 Oklahoma Open −12 (66-68-64=198)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Greg Gregory

Major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
2004 The Open Championship 1 shot lead−10 (71-67-67-69=274)Playoff1 Flag of South Africa.svg Ernie Els

1Defeated Ernie Els in 4-hole playoff; Hamilton (4-4-3-4=15), Els (4-4-4-4=16).

Results timeline

Tournament19881989
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUTT45
PGA Championship
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Masters Tournament 40T39CUTCUTT36T15
U.S. Open CUTCUTCUTCUTT36T36
The Open Championship CUT 1 CUTT68CUTT32CUT
PGA Championship T29T37T47CUTT66CUT
Tournament201020112012201320142015201620172018
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open T60
The Open Championship CUTCUTCUTT73CUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
PGA Championship
Tournament201920202021202220232024
Masters Tournament
PGA Championship
U.S. Open
The Open Championship NTCUT
  Win
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.
NT = no tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 00000174
U.S. Open 00000083
The Open Championship 100111195
PGA Championship 00000064
Totals1001124016

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament200420052006200720082009
The Players Championship T58CUTCUTT75T54CUT

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

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament200320042005
Match Play R64
Championship 72T6
Invitational 21
  Top 10
  Did not play

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

Results in senior major championships

Results not in chronological order before 2017.

Tournament201620172018201920202021202220232024
The Tradition T23T40T48NT
Senior PGA Championship CUTCUTT33CUTNTCUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. Senior Open T37T40CUTNT
Senior Players Championship T61T6349
Senior British Open Championship CUTT61CUTNT
  Did not play

"T" indicates a tie for a place
CUT = missed the halfway cut
NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernie Els</span> South African professional golfer

Theodore Ernest Els is a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is nicknamed "The Big Easy" due to his physical stature along with his fluid golf swing. Among his more than 70 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of six golfers to twice win both the U.S. Open and The Open Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Watson (golfer)</span> American golfer

Thomas Sturges Watson is an American retired professional golfer on the PGA Tour Champions, formerly on the PGA Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Mickelson</span> American professional golfer

Philip Alfred Mickelson is an American professional golfer who currently plays in the LIV Golf League. He has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles, two PGA Championships, and one Open Championship (2013). With his win at the 2021 PGA Championship, Mickelson became the oldest major championship winner in history at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days. He is nicknamed "Lefty", as he plays left-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Scott (golfer)</span> Australian golfer

Adam Derek Scott is an Australian professional golfer. In 2000, Scott turned professional and quickly earned European Tour membership. He won four tour events early in his career. In 2004, Scott won The Players Championship, the flagship event on the PGA Tour, and has focused on the United States since then. In the early 2010s, Scott began his greatest stretch of his career. He won the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, finished runner-up 2012 Open Championship, and won the 2013 Masters Tournament. In 2014, Scott won The Colonial earning the world #1 ranking for first time. Since then Scott's success has endured, winning multiple international tournaments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Rose</span> South African-born English professional golfer (born 1980)

Justin Peter Rose, is an English professional golfer. Rose first achieved significant media attention when he finished fourth place at the 1998 Open Championship as an amateur. He turned pro the next day but struggled during his first few years as a professional, making few cuts. In the early 2000s, however, he had success, winning his first European Tour title in 2002 and ultimately leading the tour's Order of Merit in 2007. In the ensuing years, Rose focused primarily on the United States, winning a number of notable tournaments, culminating with a victory at the 2013 U.S. Open. Rose has continued with success since then, earning a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, finishing runner-up at the 2017 Masters, and reaching number one in the world for the first time in 2018.

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

Michael Daniel Reid is an American professional golfer. Reid was one of the top amateurs in the mid-1970s, winning the 1976 Pacific Coast Amateur and leading the 1976 U.S. Open after the first round. As a professional, Reid won two PGA Tour events and finished in the top-10 70 times. In 1989, Reid came close to winning two major championships, the Masters and the PGA Championship, leading both of them during closing holes of the final round. On the Champions Tour, Reid won two senior majors, the 2005 Senior PGA Championship and the 2009 Tradition.

Phil Rodgers was an American professional golfer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Open Championship</span> Golf tournament

The 2007 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 136th Open Championship, played from 19–22 July at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland. Pádraig Harrington defeated Sergio García in a playoff to take the title and his first major championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rickie Fowler</span> American professional golfer (born 1988)

Rick Yutaka Fowler is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He was the number one ranked amateur golfer in the world for 36 weeks in 2007 and 2008. On January 24, 2016, he reached a career high fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking following his victory in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. He is one of only 4 golfers to shoot 62 in a major championship, achieving the feat at the 2023 U.S. Open, played at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Martin Charles Campbell Laird is a Scottish professional golfer, playing on the PGA Tour. He has won four PGA Tour events in his career, most recently the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2020. Until Russell Knox earned his card via the 2011 Nationwide Tour, Laird was the only Scottish player on the PGA Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Dufner</span> American professional golfer

Jason Christopher Dufner is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour where he is a five-time winner. He has won one major championship, the 2013 PGA Championship. He was also runner-up in the 2011 PGA Championship, losing a playoff to Keegan Bradley. Dufner was ranked in the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking for 50 weeks; his career-high ranking is sixth in September 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 U.S. Open (golf)</span> Golf tournament

The 2001 United States Open Championship was the 101st U.S. Open, held June 14–18 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The U.S. Open returned to Southern Hills for the first time since 1977. Retief Goosen won the first of his two U.S. Open titles in an 18-hole Monday playoff, two strokes ahead of runner-up Mark Brooks. The tournament was also notable for ending defending champion Tiger Woods' run of four consecutive major championship wins, the "Tiger Slam;" he finished seven strokes back in a tie for twelfth. Woods reclaimed the U.S. Open title the following year, and won the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in 2007.

The 2004 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 133rd Open Championship, held from 15 to 18 July at the Old Course of Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 PGA Championship</span> Golf tournament

The 2004 PGA Championship was the 86th PGA Championship, played August 12–15 at the Straits Course of the Whistling Straits complex in Haven, Wisconsin. The purse was $6.25 million and the winner's share was $1.125 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Masters Tournament</span> Golf tournament

The 2004 Masters Tournament was the 68th Masters Tournament, held April 8–11 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Phil Mickelson, 33, won his first major championship with a birdie on the final hole to win by one stroke over runner-up Ernie Els. The purse was $6.0 million and the winner's share was $1.17 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Open Championship</span> Golf tournament

The 2009 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 138th Open Championship, held from 16–19 July at the Ailsa Course of the Turnberry Resort, in Ayrshire, Scotland. Stewart Cink won his only major championship after a four-hole playoff with Tom Watson. At age 59, Watson had the chance to win his sixth Open and become the oldest major champion in history during regulation play, but was unable to par the final hole and tied with Cink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webb Simpson</span> American professional golfer

James Frederick Webb Simpson is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour who won the 2012 U.S. Open and the 2018 Players Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke List (golfer)</span> American professional golfer

Luke Ryan List is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Spieth</span> American professional golfer (born 1993)

Jordan Alexander Spieth is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour and former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking. He is a three-time major winner and the 2015 FedEx Cup champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Open Championship</span> Golf tournament

The 2012 Open Championship was a men's major golf championship and the 141st Open Championship, held from 19 to 22 July at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. Ernie Els won his second Claret Jug, one stroke ahead of runner-up Adam Scott. Tiger Woods and Brandt Snedeker finished tied for third, four strokes behind Els, who gained his fourth major title.

References

  1. "Week 29 2004 Ending 18 Jul 2004" (pdf). OWGR . Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  2. Edmund, Nick (1993). Heineken World of Golf 93. Stanley Paul. p. 170. ISBN   0091781000.
  3. "Troon – 2004 Results". The Open. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  4. "Todd Hamilton - Advanced Statistics".
  5. Rosaforte, Tim (July 29, 2013). "The Anonymous Champion". Golf Digest .
  6. "Todd Hamilton Tournament Results – 2014". ESPN. Retrieved April 15, 2014.