Who's who: Mark James

  • 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
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • 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 James

  • Name:

    Mark Hugh James
  • Country:

    England
  • Born:

    Oct 28, 1953 in Barton, Manchester, England.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Manchester, England
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer, golf commentator.
  • Turned Pro:

    1976
  • Website:

    https://www.tourmasterclasses.com

Roll of Honour

Senior MAJORS (1). Walker Cup player (1975). Ryder Cup player (1977, '79, '81, '89, '91, '93, '95). Ryder Cup captain (1999). Total professional wins (31, to date), including European Tour (18), US Champions Tour (3) and European Snr Tour (2).

Did you know?

This English golfer, sometimes known as "Jesse" after the fabled American cowboy Jesse James, had a long career on the European Tour, playing in seven Ryder Cups along the way. He famously captained the Ryder Cup in 1999, at what became known as the "Battle of Brookline." This particular Ryder Cup, written about in his book "Into the Bear Pit," is remembered for James' controversial decision to leave out two Ryder Cup stalwarts from the team (Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo), his decision not to play the three rookies (Jan van de Velde, Jarmo Sandelin and Andrew Coltart) until the Sunday singles, and also the overly boisterous behaviour of some of the American fans. James' own battle with testicular cancer, was the subject of his second book, "After the Bear Pit."

Top tournaments won by Mark James

2009
Europe
206 (-10)
€45,000
Son Gual

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

206 (-10)

Prize money

€45,000

Title sponsor

Son Gual

Played as the inaugural Son Gual Mallorca Senior Open (May 8-10). James (Eng) beat Eamonn Darcy (Ire) at the third playoff hole. [Son Gual GC, nr Palma, Mallorca, Spain].

2007
America
Broken Sound
201 (-15)
$240,000
Allianz

Category

America

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

Broken Sound

Score

201 (-15)

Prize money

$240,000

Title sponsor

Allianz

Played as the inaugural Allianz Championship (Feb 9-11). Second-placed Jay Haas (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mark James (Eng), who recorded the last of his three Champions Tour wins. [Old course, Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, FL].

2005
America
TwinEagles
203 (-13)
$240,000
ACE Group

Category

America

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

TwinEagles

Score

203 (-13)

Prize money

$240,000

Title sponsor

ACE Group

Played as the ACE Group Classic (Feb 18-20). Second-placed Hale Irwin (USA) and Tom Wargo (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mark James (Eng), who posted his second Champions Tour win. [Talon course, TwinEagles Club, Naples, FL].

2005
Europe
207 (-9)
€49,475
Bovis

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

€49,475

Title sponsor

Bovis

Played as the Bovis LendLease European Senior Masters (Sept 2-4). 51-year-old Mark James (Eng) beat Sam Torrance (Scot) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to record the first of his two European Senior Tour wins. [Duke's course, Woburn GC, nr Milton Keynes, Bucks].

2004
Majors
TPC Michigan
275 (-13)
$375,000
Ford

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

TPC Michigan

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$375,000

Title sponsor

Ford

Played as the Ford Senior Players Championship (July 8-11). Second-placed Jose Maria Canizares (Esp) finished 1 shot behind James (Eng), who claimed his first Champions Tour win and first major championship title. [TPC Michigan, Dearborn, Detroit, Mich.].

1997
Europe
277 (-11)
£84,843
Peugeot

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

£84,843

Title sponsor

Peugeot

Played as the Peugeot Open de Espana (April 24-27). James (Eng) beat Greg Norman (Aus) at the third playoff hole. [No.2 course, Golf La Moraleja, Alcobendas, nr Madrid; now called Real (Royal) La Moraleja].

1995
Europe
275 (-13)
£58,330
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

£58,330

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Moroccan Open (March 9-12). Second-placed David Gilford (Eng) finished 1 shot behind James (Eng). [Royal GC Agadir, Agadir, Morocco].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

£41,660

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Madeira Island Open (Jan 14-17; Eurpn Tr season opener). Second-placed Gordon J. Brand (Eng) and Paul Broadhurst (Eng) finished 3 shots behind James (Eng). [Santo da Serra GC, Machico, Madeira; at the time known as GC Madeira].

1993
Europe
275 (-13)
£58,330
Turespana

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

£58,330

Title sponsor

Turespana

Played as the Turespana Iberia Open de Canarias (Feb 11-14). Second-placed De Wet Basson (RSA) finished 6 shots behind Mark James (Eng). [Golf del Sur, nr Los Abrigos, Tenerife].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

£66,660

Title sponsor

NM

Played as the NM English Open (Aug 16-19). Defending champion Mark James (Eng) beat Sam Torrance (Scot) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Brabazon course, The Belfry, Wishaw, nr Birmingham].

1990
Europe
270 (-18)
£50,000
Dunhill

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

£50,000

Title sponsor

Dunhill

Played as the Dunhill British Masters (May 31-Jun 3). Second-placed David Feherty (N.Ire) finished 2 shots behind James (Eng). [Duke's course, Woburn GC, nr Milton Keynes, Bucks].

1989
Europe
277 (-11)
£41,660
Karl Litten

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

£41,660

Title sponsor

Karl Litten

Played as the inaugural Karl Litten Desert Classic (March 2-5; European Tour event). Mark James (Eng) beat Peter O'Malley (Aus) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to claim his tenth European Tour win. [Majlis course, Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE].

1989
Europe
277 (-11)
£22,909
AGF

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

£22,909

Title sponsor

AGF

Played as the AGF Open (March 24-27). Mark Mouland (Wales) finished 3 shots behind Mark James (Eng). [Flamants Rose course, La Grande Motte GC, nr Montpellier, France].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

£41,660

Title sponsor

NM

Played as the NM English Open (June 15-18). Second-placed Eamonn Darcy (Ire), Sam Torrance (Scot) and Craig Parry (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Mark James (Eng). [Brabazon course, The Belfry, Wishaw, nr Birmingham].

1988
Europe
262 (-18)
£27,703
Peugeot

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

262 (-18)

Prize money

£27,703

Title sponsor

Peugeot

Played as the Peugeot Spanish Open. Second-placed Nick Faldo (Eng) finished 3 shots behind James (Eng). [Real (Royal) Pedrena, nr Santander, Spain].

1986
Europe
274 (-14)
£30,000
Benson & Hedges

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

Fulford

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

£30,000

Title sponsor

Benson & Hedges

Played as the Benson & Hedges International Open (Aug 14-17). James (Eng) beat Lee Trevino (USA) and Hugh Baiocchi (RSA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].

1985
Europe
272 (-16)
£11,954
GSI

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

£11,954

Title sponsor

GSI

Played as the GSI L'Equipe Open (May 16-19). Second-placed Carl Mason (Eng) finished 3 shots behind James (Eng). [La Mer course, Le Touquet GC, Nord-Pas-de-Calais].

1983
Europe
El Kantaoui
284 (-4)
£10,000
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

El Kantaoui

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

£10,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Tunisian Open (April 14-17; European Tour season-opener). Second-placed Gordon Brand Jr (Scot), Gordon J. Brand (Eng) and Tom Sieckmann (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mark James (Eng). [El Kantaoui Golf Intl, nr Sousse, Tunisia].

1982
Europe
280 (-8)
£8,205
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

£8,205

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Italian Open. Second-placed Bobby Clampett (USA) and Ian Woosnam (Wales) finished 3 shots behind James (Eng). [Is Molas Resort, Pula, nr Cagliari, Sardinia].

1980
Europe
284 (-4)
£11,950
Carroll & Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

£11,950

Title sponsor

Carroll & Co.

Played as Carroll's Irish Open. Second-placed Brian Barnes (Scot) finished 1 shot behind defending champion James (Eng). [Portmarnock GC, nr Dublin, Ireland].

1979
Europe
Wenvoe Castle
278 (-6)
£5,000
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

Wenvoe Castle

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

£5,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Welsh Golf Classic (June 14-17). James (Eng) beat Mike Miller (Scot) with a par at the third playoff hole, to record his second European Tour win. Eddie Polland (N.Ire) was eliminated at the second playoff hole. [Wenvoe Castle GC, Wenvoe, nr Cardiff, S Wales].

1979
Europe
282 (-6)
£10,000
Carroll & Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

£10,000

Title sponsor

Carroll & Co.

Played as Carroll's Irish Open. Second-placed Markus Agren (Nepal, amateur) finished 1 shot behind James (Eng). [Portmarnock GC, nr Dublin, Ireland].

1978
Europe
3 & 2
£8,000
Sun Alliance

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Score

3 & 2

Prize money

£8,000

Title sponsor

Sun Alliance

Played as the Sun Alliance European Match Play Championship (Jun 28-Jul 1). James (Eng) beat Neil Coles (Eng) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final to record his first European Tour win. [East course, Dalmahoy Hotel & CC, nr Edinburgh].

1976
Awards
9,681 pts
£10,309
Eurpn Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

James, Mark

Venue

Score

9,681 pts

Prize money

£10,309

Title sponsor

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.

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