Who's who: Mark Calcavecchia

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
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  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Mark Calcavecchia

  • Name:

    Mark John Calcavecchia
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    June 12, 1960 in Laurel, Cedar County, Nebraska.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Cedar View CC, Laurel, NE.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1981

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1). Ryder Cup player (1987, '89, '91, 2002). Presidents Cup player (1998). Multiple wins on the US PGA (13), Champions and other international tours, including an Australian Open and two Argentine Open titles.

Did you know?

It was as a teenager that "Calc", as he is often known, moved with his family from Nebraska to West Palm Beach, Florida. Here he regularly competed against Jack Nicklaus's son, Jackie, and became a lifelong friend of the Nicklaus family. After attending the University of Florida in Gainsville, Calcavecchia enjoyed a successful PGA Tour career, winning 13 times on the tour, including three Phoenix Opens. His crowning individual achievement as a professional was winning the 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon; he beat Wayne Grady (Aus) and Greg Norman (Aus) in a four-hole playoff. Calcavecchia also competed on four USA Ryder Cup teams and one Presidents Cup team. He switched to the Champions Tour in 2010.

Top tournaments won by Mark Calcavecchia

2018
America
Broken Sound
200 (-16)
$240,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Broken Sound

Score

200 (-16)

Prize money

$240,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Boca Raton Championship (Feb 9-11; formerly Allianz Championship). Second-placed Bernhard Langer (Ger) finished 2 shots behind Mark Calcavecchia (USA). [Old Course, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, FL].

2015
America
Wakonda Club
204 (-12)
$262,500
Principal

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Wakonda Club

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

$262,500

Title sponsor

Principal

Played as the Principal Charity Classic (June 5-7). Second-placed Brian Henninger (USA) and Joe Durant (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark Calcavecchia (USA), who claimed his third Champions Tour win. [Wakonda Club, Des Moines, Iowa].

2012
America
Vallee du Richelieu
200 (-16)
$270,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Vallee du Richelieu

Score

200 (-16)

Prize money

$270,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Montreal Championship (June 22-24). Second-placed Brad Bryant (USA) finished 4 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA), who recorded his second Champions Tour win. [Vallée du Richelieu GC, nr Montreal, Québec].

2011
Awards
69.04
n/a
Champions Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Score

69.04

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Champions Tr

Calcavecchia (USA) won the Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Champions Tour. Russ Cochran (USA) and Tom Lehman were tied second with 69.22.

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

US$250,000

Title sponsor

Nedbank

Played as the Nedbank Senior Golf Challenge (Dec 1-4; limited field of eight top senior professionals; 54 holes played on the same course and just ahead of the Nedbank Golf Challenge). Second-placed Bernhard Langer (Ger) and Ian Woosnam (Wal) finished 1 shot behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Gary Player CC, Sun City Resort, North West Prov, South Africa].

2011
America
202 (-14)
$300,000
Boeing

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$300,000

Title sponsor

Boeing

Played as the Boeing Classic (Aug 26-28). 51-year-old Mark Calcavecchia (USA) beat Russ Cochran (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to record his first Champions Tour win. [Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, nr Seattle, Washington; at the time TPC Snoqualmie Ridge].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$954,000

Title sponsor

PODS

Played as the PODS Championship (March 8-11; formerly the Chrysler Championship). Second-placed John Senden (Aus) and Heath Slocum (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark Calcavecchia (USA), who recorded the last of his 13 PGA Tour wins. [Copperhead course, Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, nr Tampa, FL].

2007
America
187 (-29)
$350,000
Merrill Lynch

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

187 (-29)

Prize money

$350,000

Title sponsor

Merrill Lynch

Played as the Merrill Lynch Shootout (Dec 7-9; played over three rounds: 1-alternate shot; 2-better ball; 3-scramble). Second-placed team of Greg Norman (Aus) & Bubba Watson (USA) finished 1 shot behind winning team of Woody Austin (USA) & Mark Calcavecchia (USA). [Gold course, Tiburon GC, Naples, FL].

2005
America
275 (-5)
$882,000
Bell

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

275 (-5)

Prize money

$882,000

Title sponsor

Bell

Played as the Bell Canadian Open (Sept 8-11). Second-placed Ben Crane (USA) and Ryan Moore (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark Calcavecchia (USA), who recorded his first win on the PGA Tour since 2001. [Shaughnessy G&CC, Vancouver, BC].

2004
Asia
Lakeside CC
282 (-6)
US$85,000
x

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Lakeside CC

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

US$85,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Maekyung Open (May 6-9; Korean Tr event). Second-placed Ik-jae Jang (S Kor) finished 2 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Lakeside CC, nr Yongin, Gyeonggi, S Korea].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

256 (-28)

Prize money

$720,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 25-28). Second-placed Rocco Mediate (USA) finished 8 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA), who recorded his third win in this event. [Stadium course, TPC Scottsdale, Phoenix, AZ].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

1 up

Prize money

$100,000

Title sponsor

Hyundai

Played as the Hyundai Team Matches (Dec 6-9; unofficial post-season event involving four two-player teams from each of the LPGA, PGA and Snr PGA Tours; teams compete against other teams from their own tour). Mark Calcavecchia (USA) & Fred Couples (USA) beat defending champions Tom Lehman (USA) & Duffy Waldorf (USA) by 1 hole in the final of the PGA Tour matches. [Monarch Beach Links, Dana Point, CA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

1 up

Prize money

$100,000

Title sponsor

Diners Club

Played as the Diners Club Matches (Dec 11/12; unofficial post-season event involving four two-player teams from each of the LPGA, PGA and Snr PGA Tours; teams compete against other teams from their own tour). Mark Calcavecchia (USA) & Fred Couples (USA) beat Steve Elkington (Aus) & Jeff Maggert (USA) by 1 hole in the final of the PGA Tour matches. [North course, Pelican Hill GC, Newport Beach, CA].

1998
America
270 (-18)
$324,000
Honda

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

$324,000

Title sponsor

Honda

Played as the Honda Classic (March 12-15). Second-placed Vijay Singh (Fiji) finished 3 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA), who posted his tenth PGA Tour win. [Heron Bay GC, Coral Springs, FL; at the time known as TPC at Heron Bay].

1997
America
Chateau Elan (Legends)
271 (-17)
$360,000
Subaru

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Chateau Elan (Legends)

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

$360,000

Title sponsor

Subaru

Played as the Subaru Sarazen World Open (Nov 6-9; PGA Tr unofficial money event). Lee Westwood (Eng) finished in second place behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Legends course, Chateau Elan GC, Braselton, Georgia].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

265 (-19)

Prize money

$270,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Greater Vancouver Open (Aug 21-24). Second-placed Andrew Magee (USA) finished 1 shot Mark Calcavecchia (USA). [Ridge course, Northview G&CC, Surrey, Vancouver].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

279

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Calcavecchia (USA) beat Andrew Magee (USA) in a playoff. [Jockey Club, Buenos Aires].

1995
America
184 (-32)
$150,000
Franklin Templeton

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

184 (-32)

Prize money

$150,000

Title sponsor

Franklin Templeton

Played as the Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout (Nov 17-19; played over three rounds: 1-alternate shot; 2-better ball; 3-scramble). Second-placed team of Lee Janzen (USA) & Chip Beck (USA) finished 1 shot behind the winning team of Mark Calcavecchia (USA) & Steve Elkington (Aus). [Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, nr LA, Calif.].

1995
America
Atlanta CC
271 (-17)
$234,000
BellSouth

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Atlanta CC

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

$234,000

Title sponsor

BellSouth

Played as the BellSouth Classic (May 4-7). Second-placed Jim Gallagher Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Atlanta CC, Marietta, Georgia].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

270

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Miguel Guzman (Arg) finished in second place behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Jockey Club, Buenos Aires].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

264 (-20)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 23-26). Second-placed Duffy Waldorf (USA) finished 5 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA), who recorded his second win in this event. [Stadium course, TPC Scottsdale, Phoenix, AZ].

1989
Majors
275 (-13)
£80,000
R&A

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

£80,000

Title sponsor

R&A

The Open Championship (118th) (July 20-23). First-time major championship winner Calcavecchia (USA) beat Greg Norman (Aus) and Wayne Grady (Aus) in a four-hole playoff: Calcavecchia 13 (-2), Grady 16 (+1), Norman (did not finish). This was the first Open to be decided by a playoff conducted over four holes. [Old Course, Royal Troon GC, Troon, Ayrshire].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

263 (-21)

Prize money

$126,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 19-22). Second-placed Chip Beck (USA) finished 7 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Stadium course, TPC Scottsdale, Phoenix, AZ].

1989
America
272 (-12)
$180,000
Nissan

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

272 (-12)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Nissan

Played as the Nissan Los Angeles Open (Feb 2-5). Second-placed Sandy Lyle (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Calcavecchia (USA), who posted his fifth PGA Tour win. [Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA].

1988
America
Pleasant Valley, Mass.
274 (-10)
$108,000
Bank of Boston

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Pleasant Valley, Mass.

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$108,000

Title sponsor

Bank of Boston

Played as the Bank of Boston Classic (Sept 15-18). Second-placed Don Pooley (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark Calcavecchia (USA). [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, MA].

1988
Aus/NZ
269 (-19)
A$63,000
Panasonic

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Score

269 (-19)

Prize money

A$63,000

Title sponsor

Panasonic

Played as the Panasonic Australian Open (Nov 24-27). Second-placed Mark McCumber (USA) finished 6 shots behind Calcavecchia (USA). [Royal Sydney GC, Rose Bay, Sydney, Aus].

1987
America
Eagle Trace, FL
279 (-9)
$108,000
Honda

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Eagle Trace, FL

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

$108,000

Title sponsor

Honda

Played as the Honda Classic (March 5-8). Second-placed Bernhard Langer (Ger) and Payne Stewart (USA) finished 3 shots behind Mark Calcavecchia (USA), who claimed his second PGA Tour win. [Eagle Trace GC, Coral Springs, FL; at the time called TPC Eagle Trace].

1986
America
Fairway Oaks, TX
275 (-13)
$72,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Calcavecchia, Mark

Venue

Fairway Oaks, TX

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$72,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Southwest Golf Classic (Sept 25-28). Second-placed Tom Byrum (USA) finished 3 shots behind first-time PGA Tour winner Calcavecchia (USA). [Fairway Oaks CC, Abilene, TX. Now known as the Fairway course, Abilene CC].

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