1976 - Men (All)
The winners in the category "1976 - Men (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
x
The Masters Tournament (40th) (April 8-11). Second-placed Ben Crenshaw (USA) finished 8 shots behind Floyd (USA). Floyd defended the 8-stroke lead he had going into the final round, and equalled Nicklaus's four-round record of 271 in the Masters. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (105th) (July 7-10). Second-placed Seve Ballesteros (Esp) and Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 6 shots behind Miller (USA). [Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, Merseyside].
Majors
USGA
The US Open (76th) (Jun 17-20). Second-placed Tom Weiskopf (USA) and Al Geiberger (USA) finished 2 shots behind Pate (USA). Pate went through a qualifying event to get into this US Open. [Highlands course, Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Atlanta, GA].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (58th) (Aug 12-16). Second-placed Raymond Floyd (USA) and Don January (USA) finished 1 shot behind Stockton (USA), who claimed the second of his two PGA Championship wins. [Blue course, Congressional CC, Bethesda, Maryland].
Amateur
R&A
The Amateur Championship (81st). Siderowf (USA) beat John Davies (Eng) at the 37th hole in the final. [The Old Course, St Andrews, Fife].
Amateur
R&A
Played as the Boys Amateur Championship. Mouland (Wales) beat G. Hargreaves 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final match. [Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
Amateur
USGA
The US Amateur Championship (76th) (Aug 31-Sept 5). Bill Sander (USA) beat C. Parker Moore Jr (USA) 8 and 6 in the 36-hole final. [Bel-Air CC, Los Angeles, CA].
Amateur
USGA
Played as the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Mudd (USA) beat Archie Dadian (USA) at the 37th in the final. [Brown Deer Park GC, Brown Deer, nr Milwaukee, Wisc.].
America
x
Played as the (last) American Golf Classic (Aug 26-29). Second-placed Lou Graham (USA) finished 4 shots behind David Graham (Aus). [North course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].
America
x
Played as the Bob Hope Desert Classic (Feb 4-8). Second-placed Rik Massengale (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Miller (USA). [Indian Wells CC, Coachella Valley, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Bermuda Dunes CC; Eldorado CC; La Quinta CC].
America
x
Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Vicente Fernandez (Arg) finished in second place behind defending champion Molina (Arg). [Jockey Club, Buenos Aires].
America
x
Played as the Florida Citrus Open (March 4-7). Irwin (USA) beat Kermit Zarley (USA) with a par at the sixth playoff hole. [Rio Pinar CC, Orlando, FL].
America
x
Atlanta Classic not played in 1976 as Atlanta Athletic Club hosted the US Open.
America
x
Played as the B.C. Open (Aug 5-8). Second-placed Bob Gilder (USA) finished 1 shot behind Wynn (USA), who recorded his only win on the PGA Tour. [En-Joie GC, Endicott, NY].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (June 24-27). Second-placed Joe Porter (USA) finished 1 shot behind Al Geiberger (USA). [Butler National GC, Oak Brook, IL].
America
x
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Quinteros (Arg) beat Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) in a playoff. [Porto Alegre CC, Porto Alegre, Brazil].
America
x
Played as the Buick Open (Aug 26-29; PGA Second Tour event). Ed Sabo (USA) beat Randy Erskine (USA) with a birdie four at the third playoff hole. [Flint Elks CC, Grand Blanc, nr Flint, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 22-25). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 4 shots behind Jerry Pate (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Essex G&CC, LaSalle, Windsor, Ontario].
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 13-16). Second-placed Mike Morley (USA) finished 1 shot behind Lee Trevino (USA). [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
America
x
Played as the Byron Nelson Golf Classic (May 6-9). Second-placed Don Bies (USA) finished 2 shots behind first-time PGA Tour winner Hayes (USA). [Preston Trail GC, Dallas, TX].
America
x
Honda Classic not played in 1976 due to host venue, Inverrary G&CC, hosting the Tournament Players Championship.
Played as the Doral-Eastern Open (March 11-14). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) and Mark Hayes (USA) finished 6 shots behind Hubert Green (USA). [Blue Monster course, Doral Resort, Miami, FL].
America
Andy Williams
Played as the Andy Williams San Diego Open Invitational (Feb 12-15). Second-placed Don Bies (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion J.C. Snead (USA), who posted his fifth PGA Tour win. [South course, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA].
America
Glen Campbell
Played as the Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open (Feb 19-22). Second-placed Tom Watson (USA) finished 2 shots behind Irwin (USA). [Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Greater Milwaukee Open (July 1-4). Second-placed John Jacobs (USA) finished 3 shots behind Dave Hill (USA), who recorded the last of his 13 PGA Tour wins. [Tuckaway CC, Franklin, nr Milwaukee, Wisc.].
America
x
Played as the World Open Golf Championship (Sept 9-12). Floyd (USA) beat Jerry McGee (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [No.2 course, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina].
America
Sea Pines
Played as the Sea Pines Heritage Classic (March 25-28). Second-placed Jerry McGee (USA) finished 5 shots behind Green (USA). [Harbour Town Links, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC].
America
x
Played as the Houston Open (Apr 29-May 2). Second-placed Forrest Fezler (USA) finished 1 shot behind Lee Elder (USA), who claimed his second PGA Tour title. [The Woodlands CC, nr Houston, TX. Course used was based on the current back-nine of the Tournament course and part of the neighbouring Panther Trail course].
America
x
Played as the Greater Jacksonville Open (March 18-21). Second-placed Miller Barber (USA) finished 2 shots behind Green (USA), who recorded his tenth PGA Tour win, and second in as many weeks. [Deerwood CC, Jacksonville, FL].
America
Pepsi-Cola
Played as the Pepsi-Cola Mixed Team Ch'ship (two-person team event; one PGA Tr, one LPGA Tr). Winning team: Chi Chi Rodriguez (Puerto Rico/USA) & Jo Ann Washam (USA). Second-place: Jim Colbert (USA) & Silvia Bertolaccini (Arg) and David Graham (Aus) & Penny Pulz (Aus). [Doral Golf Resort, Miami, FL].
America
Jaycees
Played as the Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad City Open (July 8-11). Second-placed tour rookie Fuzzy Zoeller (USA) finished 2 shots behind Lister (NZ), who recorded his only PGA Tour win. Zoeller's opening round 63 included birdies on each of the last eight holes. [Oakwood CC, Coal Valley, Quad Cities, IL].
America
Kemper Insurance
Played as the Kemper Open (June 10-13). Second-placed Tom Weiskopf (USA) and Grier Jones (USA) finished 1 shot behind 28-year-old Joe Inman (USA), who recorded his first and only PGA Tour win. [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Memorial Tournament (May 27-30). Maltbie (USA) beat Hale Irwin (USA) with a birdie at the first sudden-death playoff hole (par-4 17th); this followed both men tying a three-hole aggregate-score playoff. [Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, nr Columbus, OH].
America
x
Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf). Victor Regalado (Mex) finished in second place behind Ernesto Pérez Acosta (Mex). [GC La Hacienda, Ciudad López Mateos, nr Mexico City].
America
Kaiser Intl.
Played as the Kaiser International Open Invitational (Sept 23-26). Second-placed Gibby Gilbert (USA) and defending champion Johnny Miller (USA) finished 2 shots behind Jesse Carlyle "J.C." Snead (USA). Miller was chasing his third straight win in this event. [North course, Silverado Resort, Napa, CA].
America
x
Played as the Pleasant Valley Classic (Jul 29-Aug 1). Second-placed Ben Crenshaw (USA) finished 1 shot behind Bud Allin (USA), who recorded the last of his five PGA Tour wins. [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, MA].
America
First NBC
Played as the First NBC New Orleans Open (April 22-25). Second-placed Victor Regalado (Mex) finished 1 shot behind Larry Ziegler (USA), who recorded the last of his three PGA Tour wins. [Lakewood GC, New Orleans, LA].
America
x
Played as the Ohio Kings Island Open (Sept 16-19). Second-placed Andy North (USA) finished 1 shot behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). ["The Grizzly" course, City of Mason Golf Ctr, Mason, OH; at the time called Nicklaus Golf Ctr].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 22-25). Second-placed Mike Morley (USA) finished 2 shots behind Crenshaw (USA), who posted his second PGA Tour win. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].
America
x
Played as the Pensacola Open (Oct 29-Nov 1). Second-placed Lee Elder (USA) finished 2 shots behind Hayes (USA), who recorded the second of his three PGA Tour wins. [Pensacola CC, Pensacola, FL].
America
IVB
Played as the IVB Bicentennial Golf Classic (June 3-6). 26-year-old Tom Kite (USA) beat Terry Diehl (USA) with a par at the fifth playoff hole, to record his first PGA Tour win. [Whitemarsh Valley CC, Lafayette Hill, nr Philadelphia, PA].
America
x
Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 15-18). Second-placed Roger Maltbie (USA) finished 2 shots behind first-time PGA Tour winner Gilder (USA). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
x
Played as the Tournament Players Championship (Feb 26-Mar 1). Second-placed Jesse Carlyle "J.C." Snead (USA) finished 3 shots behind Nicklaus (USA), who recorded his second win in three years in this event. In his first win, Snead also finished second. Monday finish required due to earlier bad weather. [East course, Inverrary CC, Ft Lauderdale, FL].
America
Sahara Hotel
Played as the Sahara Invitational (Sep 30-Oct 3). Second-placed Don January (USA) and defending champion Dave Hill (USA) finished 2 shots behind George Archer (USA). [Las Vegas National GC, Las Vegas, NV; at the time known as Sahara-Nevada CC; originally the Stardust CC].
America
x
Played as the Magnolia State Classic (April 8-11; unofficial PGA Tour "satellite" event). Second-placed Tom Purtzer (USA) and Artie McNickle (USA) finished 2 shots behind Meyer (USA). [Hattiesburg CC, Hattiesburg, MS].
America
MONY
Played as the MONY Tournament of Champions (April 15-18). Second-placed Hubert Green (USA) finished 5 shots behind January (USA), who recorded the last of his 10 PGA Tour wins. [North course, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, Calif. Now known as Champions course].
America
x
Played as the Hawaiian Open (Jan 29-Feb 1). Second-placed Hale Irwin (USA) and Larry Nelson (USA) finished 4 shots behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii].
America
x
Played as the Southern Open (Oct 21-24). Second-placed and defending champion Hubert Green (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mac McLendon (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Green Island CC, Columbus, Georgia].
America
American Express
Played for the first time as the American Express Westchester Classic (July 15-18). Second-placed Ben Crenshaw (USA), Tom Watson (USA) and Fuzzy Zoeller (USA) finished 3 shots behind Graham (Aus), who claimed his second PGA Tour win. [West course, Westchester CC, Rye, NY].
America
Danny Thomas
Played as the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic (May 20-23). Second-placed Gil Morgan (USA), Forrest Fezler (USA) and John Lister (NZ) finished 4 shots behind Gilbert (USA), who recorded the second of his three PGA Tour wins. [South course, Colonial CC, Cordova, nr Memphis, TN].
America
x
Played as the Tallahassee Open (April 15-18). Second-placed John Mahaffey (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time PGA Tour winner Koch (USA). [Killearn CC, Tallahassee, FL].
America
x
Played as the San Antonio Texas Open (Oct 14-17). Fred "Butch" Baird (USA) beat Miller Barber (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole to claim the second of his two PGA Tour wins. [Woodlake GC, San Antonio, Texas].
America
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Played as the Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open (Aug 19-22). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) and J.C. Snead (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rik Massengale (USA), who claimed the second of his three PGA Tour wins. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
NBC
Played as the NBC Tucson Open (Jan 8-11). Second-placed Howard Twitty (USA) finished 3 shots behind Johnny Miller (USA), who recorded his third straight win in this tournament. [Catalina course, Tucson National Resort, Tucson, AZ].
America
Disney World
Played as the Walt Disney World National Team Championship (Nov 4-7; two-man team event). Woody Blackburn (USA) & Billy Kratzert (USA) beat Gay Brewer (USA) & Bobby Nichols (USA) with a birdie at the third playoff hole. This was the first of two PGA Tour wins for 25-year-old Blackburn, and the first of four PGA Tour wins for 24-year-old Kratzert. [Magnolia course, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Earlier rounds also played on the Palm course].
America
Disney World
Played as the Walt Disney World National Team Championship (Nov 4-7; two-man team event). Woody Blackburn (USA) & Billy Kratzert (USA) beat Gay Brewer (USA) & Bobby Nichols (USA) with a birdie at the third playoff hole. This was the first of two PGA Tour wins for 25-year-old Blackburn, and the first of four PGA Tour wins for 24-year-old Kratzert. [Magnolia course, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Earlier rounds also played on the Palm course].
America
x
Second-placed Manuel Pinero (Esp) and Brian Barnes (Scot) finished 3 shots behind Ernesto Pérez Acosta (Mex), who won the International Trophy for best individual score in the World Cup of Golf. Team winners of the Cup: Seve Ballesteros & Manuel Pinero (Esp). [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
x
Played as the World Series of Golf (Sept 2-5; for the first time an official PGA Tour 72-hole event). Second-placed Hale Irwin (USA) finished 4 shots behind Jack Nicklaus (USA). [South course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 1-4). Second-placed Lee Trevino (USA) finished 2 shots behind Geiberger (USA). [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].
Europe
Benson & Hedges
Played as the Benson & Hedges International Open (Sept 22-25). Second-placed Mark James (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Marsh (Aus). [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].
Europe
Penfold
Played as the Penfold PGA Championship (May 28-31). Coles (Eng) beat Eamonn Darcy (Ire) and Gary Player (RSA) at the third playoff hole. [Royal St George's GC, Sandwich, Kent].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Sept 29-Oct 2). Second-placed Hubert Green (USA) finished 1 shot behind Dassu (Ita). [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, S Wales].
Europe
Sun Alliance
Played as the Sun Alliance Match Play Championship (Sept 2-5). Barnes (Scot) beat Craig DeFoy (Wales) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final. [Kings Norton GC, Alvechurch, nr Birmingham].
Europe
Double Diamond
Played as the Double Diamond Individual Championship (Aug 17/18; 36-hole strokeplay event that preceded the Double Diamond Intl team event). Second-placed Brian Huggett (Wales) and David Ingram (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Owen (NZ), who recorded the second of his two European Tour wins. [King's course, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire].
Europe
x
Played as the Dutch Open (Aug 5-8). Second-placed Howard Clark (Eng) finished 8 shots behind Ballesteros (Esp), who claimed the first of his 50 European Tour wins. [Kennemer G&CC, Zandvoort, Netherlands].
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. Second-placed Dave Hill (USA) and Seve Ballesteros (Esp) finished 3 shots behind Pinero (Esp). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Europe
x
Played as the French Open. Second-placed Salvador Balbuena (Esp) finished 2 shots behind Tshabalala (RSA). [La Mer course, Le Touquet GC, Nord-Pas-de-Calais].
Europe
x
Played as the German Open. Second-placed Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 1 shot behind Hobday (RSA). [Frankfurter GC, Niederrad, Frankfurt am Main].
Europe
x
Played as the inaugural Greater Manchester Open (June 17-20). Second-placed John Fourie (RSA) finished 4 shots behind first-time European Tour winner O'Leary (Ire). [Wilmslow GC, Mobberley, Knutsford, Cheshire].
Europe
x
Played as the Hassan II Trophy (unofficial limited-field event). Curtis Strange (USA), George Burns (USA) and Danny Edwards (USA) finished in second place behind Balbuena (Esp). [Red course, Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco].
Europe
Carroll & Co.
Played as Carroll's Irish Open. Second-placed Brian Barnes (Scot), Billy Casper (USA) and Martin Foster (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Crenshaw (USA). [Portmarnock GC, nr Dublin, Ireland].
Europe
x
Played as the Italian Open. Second-placed Carl Mason (Eng) and Manuel Pinero (Esp) finished 8 shots behind Dassu (Italy). [Is Molas Resort, Pula, nr Cagliari, Sardinia].
Europe
Kerrygold
Played as the Kerrygold International Classic (June 4-7). Second-placed Eddie Polland (N.Ire) finished 1 shot behind Jacklin (Eng), who recorded his fifth European Tour win. [Waterville Links, Co. Kerry, Ireland].
Europe
x
Played as the Madrid Open. Second-placed Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 9 shots behind Abreu (Esp). [Real (Royal) Club de la Puerta de Hierro, Madrid].
Europe
Martini
Played as the Martini International (June 9-12). Second-placed Tommy Horton (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Torrance (Scot). [Ashburnham GC, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, S Wales].
Europe
Piccadilly
Played as the Piccadilly Medal (May 13-16; 72-hole stroke play event). Second-placed Bob Shearer (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Torrance (Scot), who recorded his first win on the European Tour. [Coventry GC, Finham, Coventry, Warwicks].
Europe
x
Played as the Portuguese Open (Apr 14-17; European Tr season-opener). Second-placed Sam Torrance (Scot) finished 4 shots behind 26-year-old Salvador Balbuena (Esp), who recorded his first and only European Tour win. [South course, Quinta do Lago GC, nr Almancil, Algarve, Portugal].
Europe
Scandinavian Enterprise
Played as the Scandinavian Enterprise Open (July 15-18). Second-placed Eamonn Darcy (Ire) finished 2 shots behind Baiocchi (RSA). [Royal Drottningholm GC, nr Stockholm; at the time known as Drottningholm GC].
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open (50th). Second-placed Bob Shearer (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Polland (N.Ire). [South course, La Manga Club, nr Cartagena, Murcia].
Europe
Lancome
Played as the Trophee Lancome. Won by Seve Ballesteros (Esp). [Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, nr Paris, France].
Europe
Uniroyal
Played as the Uniroyal International (June 23-26). Second-placed Martin Foster (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Combination of holes from High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Piccadilly
Played as the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (Oct 7-9; field of eight players). Graham (Aus) beat defending champion Hale Irwin (USA) at the 38th hole in the final. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Asia
x
Played as the Hong Kong Open. Won by Ho (Taiw). [Hong Kong GC, Fanling; composite of 10 holes from Eden course, 8 from the New; at the time known as Royal Hong Kong GC].
Asia
x
Played as the Indian Open. Second-placed Brian Jones (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Thomson (Aus), who claimed a record third win in the Indian Open. [Royal Calcutta GC, Kolkata, West Bengal, India].
Asia
x
Played as the Indonesian Open (March 18-21; Asian circuit event). Second-placed Chi-hsiung Kuo (Taiw) finished 4 shots behind Aye (Burma); the veteran Burmese golfer recorded his first win on the Asian circuit. [Jaya Ancol GC, Jakarta, Indonesia; course now permanently closed].
Asia
KPGA
Played as the Korea Open (April 15-18; Asian circuit event). Won by Takahashi (Jpn). [Anyang CC, Gunpo, Gyeonggi, S Korea; now called Anyang Benest CC].
Asia
KPGA
Played as the KPGA Championship (Sept 21-24; Korean Tr event). Chang-sang Hahn (S Kor) and Il-ahn Lee (S Kor) finished in second place behind Seung-hak Kim (S Kor). [Taenung CC, nr Seoul, S Korea].
Asia
x
Played as the Malaysian Open. Hsu (Taiw) beat Mya Aye (Burma) with a par at the third playoff hole. [Old course, Royal Selangor GC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia].
Asia
x
Played as the Philippine Open. Won by Mancao (Phil). [East course, Wack Wack G&CC, Manila, Philippines].
Asia
Rolex
Played as the Rolex Masters (Asian circuit event). Second-placed Swee Chew Lim (Sing) finished 5 shots behind Marimuthu Mayalagan (Sing). [Bukit course, Singapore Island CC, Singapore].
Asia
x
Played as the Singapore Open. Won by Uchida (Jpn). [Bukit course, Singapore Island CC, Singapore].
Asia
x
Played as the China Open. Won by Hsu (Taiw). [Kaohsiung G&CC, Kaohsiung City, South Taiwan].
Asia
x
Played as the Thailand Open (Asian circuit event). Won by Arda (Phil).
Japan
x
Played as the United States-Japan Tournament (Dec 2-5; Japan Tr event; individual low score winner). Second-placed Isao Aoki (Jpn) finished 3 shots behind Watson (USA), who claimed the first of his four Japan Tour wins. [Harima CC, Ono, Hyogo, Japan].
Japan
Bridgestone
Played as the Bridgestone Tournament (Oct 28-31; Japan Tr event). Muramaki (Jpn) beat Musaji Kusakabe (Jpn) and Hsieh Min-nan (Taiw) in a playoff, to record his 10th Japan Tour win. [Sodegaura course, Sodegaura CC, Chiba, Jpn].
Japan
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament (Nov 25-28; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Miller Barber (USA) finished 6 shots behind Marsh (Aus), whose first prize equated to US$40,000. [Phoenix CC, Miyazaki, Japan].
Japan
JGA
Played as the Japan Open (Nov 11-15; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Toru Nakamura (Jpn) and defending champion Takashi Murakami (Jpn) finished 1 shot behind Shimada (Jpn). [East course, Central GC, Namegata, Ibaraki].
Japan
PGA of Japan
Played as the Japan PGA Championship (Sept 23-26; Japanese major ch'ship). Kanai (Jpn) beat Ichiro Enomoto (Jpn) with a par at the fourth playoff hole (par-3 16th). Haruo Yasuda (Jpn) and Male Yoshitsune (?)(Jpn) were eliminated at the first playoff hole (par-3 16th). [Kuma CC, Nishiki, Kumamoto, Jpn].
Japan
x
Played as the Golf Nippon Series (Nov 17-21; Japanese major ch'ship). Won by Maeda (Jpn). [Co-hosted by Yomiuri CC, Nishinomiya, Hyogo and Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo].
Japan
x
Played as the Taiheiyo Club Pacific Masters (Oct 7-10; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Isao Aoki (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind 23-year-old Pate (USA), who won for the first time in Japan. [Sobu course, Sobu CC, Inzai, Chiba, Japan].
Japan
x
Played as the Chunichi Crowns - International Invitation Golf (Apr 29-May 2; Japan Tr event). Won by Graham (Aus), who recorded his first and only Japan Tour victory. [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].
Japan
Pepsi / Wilson
Played as the Pepsi-Wilson Tournament (May 20-23). Thomson (Aus) beat Brian Jones (Aus), Graham Marsh (Aus) and Shozo Miyamoto (Jpn) in a playoff. Event reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather. [Mannennike course, Ube 72 CC, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan].
Aus/NZ
NZ Airlines
Played as the New Zealand Airlines Classic (Nov 18-21). Second-placed Bill Brask (USA) and John Lister (NZ) finished 9 shots behind Shearer (Aus). [Russley GC, Christchurch, NZ].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian Open (Oct 28-31). Second-placed Curtis Strange (USA) finished 4 shots behind defending champion Nicklaus (USA), who recorded the fifth of his six Australian Open wins. [The Australian GC, Rosebery, Sydney, Aus].
Played as the Australian PGA Ch'ship. Dunk (Aus) beat P. Croker (Aus) in a playoff (Dunk 71, Croker 75). [Rosebud CC, nr Melbourne, Aus].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand Open (Dec 3-6). Second-placed Doug McClelland (Eng) finished 7 shots behind Owen (NZ). [Wellington GC, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt, nr Wellington, NZ; from 2004 Royal Wellington GC].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship (Jan 1-4). John Lister (NZ) beat Bill Brask (USA) at the second playoff hole. [Tauranga GC, Gate Pa, Tauranga, NZ].
Africa
x
Kenya Open not played in 1976.
Africa
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop South African Masters (Feb 6-9). Second-placed Cobie Legrange (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Player (RSA). [Kensington GC, Johannesburg, S Africa. Course no longer exists; club merged with Royal Johannesburg GC in 1998].
Played as the South African Open. Hayes (RSA) beat John Fourie (RSA) in a playoff. [Houghton GC, Johannesburg, RSA].
Played as the South African Open. Dave Suddards (RSA) and Bobby Verwey (RSA) finished in second place behind defending champion Player (RSA). This was the tenth of 13 South African Open wins for Player. [Durban CC, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa].
Africa
Lexington
Played as the Lexington PGA Championship. Won for the third straight year by Hayes (RSA). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].
Awards
Eurpn Tr
Ballesteros (Esp) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the European Tour, with 70.83. Antonio Garrido (Esp) was second with 70.91; Eamonn Darcy (Ire) was third with 71.16. Graham Marsh (Aus) averaged 70.55, but played in only five tournaments (20 rounds).
Awards
PGA of America
January (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Awards
Japan Tr
Isao Aoki (Jpn) won the Japan Golf Tour 1976 Money List, with earnings of Yn40,985,801 from Japan Tour events and golf's four top majors (Masters, Open, US Open, US PGA).
Awards
PGA Tour
Nicklaus (USA) won his eighth (and second straight) PGA Tour leading money winner title, with 1976 season earnings of $266,439 on the Tour. Ben Crenshaw (USA) was second with $257,759; Hale Irwin (USA) was third with $252,718.
Awards
Aus/NZ Tr
Lye (USA) won the Australia/NZ Tour 1976 Order of Merit.
Awards
Eurpn Tr
Ballesteros (Esp) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the European Tour 1976 Order of Merit winner. Using a season-long points system, Ballesteros accumulated 21,494.82 pts; Eamonn Darcy (Ire) was second with 16,740.87 pts; Sam Torrance (Scot) was third with 16,627.16 pts. Ballesteros also topped the Tour's 1976 Prize Money List with £39,503; Darcy was second with £25,026; Brian Barnes (Scot) was third with £23,350.
1976/77 South Africa Tour Order of Merit. Won by Player (RSA).
Awards
PGA of America
Nicklaus (USA) won his fifth (and second straight) PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
Awards
Eurpn Tr
Mark James (Eng) won the European Tour 1976 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season player. James finished 15th on the Tour's (points-based) Order of Merit; he won £10,309 in prize money during the season.
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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