Who's who: Gene Sauers

  • Padraig Harrington
  • Laura Davies
  • Annika Sörenstam
  • José María Olazábal
  • Michelle Wie
  • Edoardo Molinari
  • Lee Trevino
  • Natalie Gulbis

Who's who: Gene Sauers

  • Name:

    Gene Craig Sauers
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    Aug 22, 1962 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Georgia Southern University
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1984

Roll of Honour

Senior MAJORS (1): US Snr Open (2016). PGA Tour wins (3).

Did you know?

Sauers competed on the PGA Tour from 1984 until 2005, notching up three wins along the way, and one in an unofficial money event (1990 Deposit Guaranty Classic).

He did not compete professionally from 2006 to 2010 after being diagnosed with a potentially life threatening skin disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. He finally overcame the condition and returned to professional golf on the Nationwide Tour in 2011, and joined the Champions Tour in 2012 on turning 50.

Winless on the senior tour for almost four years, he recorded the biggest win of his professional career at the 2016 US Senior Open at Scioto Country Club, where he edged out Spain's Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

Top tournaments won by Gene Sauers

2016
Majors
277 (-3)
$675,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Sauers, Gene

Venue

Scioto

Score

277 (-3)

Prize money

$675,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Senior Open (37th) (Aug 11-14). Second-placed Miguel Ángel Jiménez finished 1 shot behind Sauers (USA), who recorded his first PGA Tour Champions win and first major championship victory. Monday finish after Sunday's play was rained-out. [Scioto CC, Columbus, Ohio].

2002
America
269 (-15)
$630,000
Air Canada

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Sauers, Gene

Score

269 (-15)

Prize money

$630,000

Title sponsor

Air Canada

Played as the Air Canada Championship (Aug 29-Sep 1). Second-placed Steve Lowery (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gene Sauers (USA), who recorded his first PGA Tour win for 13 years. [Ridge course, Northview G&CC, Surrey, Vancouver].

1990
America
Hattiesburg CC
268 (-12)
$54,000
Deposit Guaranty

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Sauers, Gene

Venue

Hattiesburg CC

Score

268 (-12)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

Deposit Guaranty

Played as the Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic (April 5-8; unofficial PGA Tour "satellite" event). Second-placed Jack Ferenz (USA) finished 2 shots behind Sauers (USA). [Hattiesburg CC, Hattiesburg, MS].

1989
America
197 (-19)
$135,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Sauers, Gene

Score

197 (-19)

Prize money

$135,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Hawaiian Open (Feb 9-12). Second-placed David Ogrin (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gene Sauers (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. Event reduced to 54 holes due to rain. [Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii].

1986
America
Pleasant Valley, Mass.
274 (-10)
$81,000
Bank of Boston

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Sauers, Gene

Venue

Pleasant Valley, Mass.

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$81,000

Title sponsor

Bank of Boston

Played as the Bank of Boston Classic (Sept 11-14). 24-year-old Gene Sauers (USA) beat Blaine McCallister (USA) with a birdie at the third playoff hole, to record the first of his three PGA Tour wins. [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, MA].

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Tournaments

Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.

Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.

Recently visited

Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.

The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.

The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.

Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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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