Who's who: Mark O'Meara

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Who's who: Mark O'Meara

  • Name:

    Mark Francis O'Meara
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    Jan 13, 1957 in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Mission Viejo CC, California.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; golf course designer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1980
  • Website:

    https://www.markomearadesign.com

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (2): The Open (1998); Masters Tournament (1998). Senior MAJORS (1): Snr Players Ch'ship (2010). US Amateur champion (1979). Ryder Cup player (1985, '89, '91, '97, '99). Presidents Cup player (1996, '98). Multiple wins on the US PGA (16), European (4), Japan (2), Champions and other international tours. World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2015).

Golf course design

O'Meara's best known work includes, but is not limited to: O'Meara course, Muskoka Grandview Resort, Ontario (2001, with Brit Stenson); O'Meara course, Carton House, nr Dublin, Ireland (2002, with Tim Lobb); Talisker GC, Tuhaye, Utah (2006).

Did you know?

Although born in North Carolina, O'Meara grew up in southern California. From the mid-1980s through the late 1990s he applied his solid shot-making and great consistency to become one of the most prolific winners in the USA and around the world. O'Meara is one of only a few players to win on every continent where golf is played.

O'Meara enjoyed an excellent high school and college golf career. An early indication of his golfing prowess came at the US Amateur Championship in 1979, where he overwhelmed John Cook 8 & 7 in the 36-hole final.

After completing his degree in marketing, O'Meara turned professional in 1980. From 1984 he steadily accumulated an impressive array of PGA Tour wins, as well as victories in Britain, France, Japan, Australia, UAE and Argentina. In 1998, as a 41-year-old, O'Meara recorded his two major championship wins; the first at The Masters, the second just three months later in The Open at Royal Birkdale. O'Meara partly attributes his excellent form in the late-1990s to the friendship he struck up with Tiger Woods, the game's new sensation at that time.

O'Meara now plays most of his golf on the senior tours, and also has a golf course design business. Fishing and family also command much of his time.

Top tournaments won by Mark O'Meara

2019
America
202 (-17)
$255,000
Cologuard

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

202 (-17)

Prize money

$255,000

Title sponsor

Cologuard

Played as the Cologuard Classic (March 1-3). Second-placed Willie Wood (USA), Darren Clarke (N.Ire), Kirk Triplett (USA) and Scott McCarron (USA) finished 4 shots behind Mark O'Meara (USA), who recorded the last of his three Champions Tour wins. At 62 yrs 1 mth 17 days, O'Meara became the fourth oldest winner in the history of the PGA Tour Champions. [Catalina course, Tucson National Resort, Tucson, AZ].

2010
America
188 (-10)
$230,000
Liberty Mutual

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

188 (-10)

Prize money

$230,000

Title sponsor

Liberty Mutual

Played as the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (April 23-25; two-man better-ball team event). Nick Price (Zim) & Mark O'Meara (USA) beat John Cook (USA) & Joey Sindelar (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. O'Meara recorded his first Champions Tour win since joining the tour in 2007. [Savannah Harbor Resort, Savannah, GA].

2010
Majors
273 (-7)
$405,000
Constellation Energy

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

273 (-7)

Prize money

$405,000

Title sponsor

Constellation Energy

Played as the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship (Oct 7-10). O'Meara (USA) beat Michael Allen (USA) at the first playoff hole to win his first Champions Tour event and first senior major title. [TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, Potomac, nr Washington DC].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

€268,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Dubai Desert Classic (March 4-7; European Tour event). Second-placed Paul McGinley (Ire) finished 1 shot behind Mark O'Meara (USA), who recorded the last of his five European Tour wins. This was O'Meara's first victory after winning the 1998 Open Championship. [Majlis course, Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE].

2002
America
8 skins
$405,000
ConAgra

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

8 skins

Prize money

$405,000

Title sponsor

ConAgra

Played as the ConAgra Skins Game (Nov 30-Dec 1; PGA Tour unofficial money event). O'Meara (USA) won with a total of 8 skins worth $405,000. Second: Phil Mickelson (USA) 3 skins worth $300,000. Third: Fred Couples (USA) 3 skins worth $170,000. Fourth: Tiger Woods (USA) 4 skins worth £125,000. [North course, GC at Terra Lago, Indio, California; at the time known as Landmark GC].

1998
Europe
1 up
£170,000
Cisco Systems

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

1 up

Prize money

£170,000

Title sponsor

Cisco Systems

Played as the Cisco World Match Play Championship (Oct 15-18). O'Meara (USA) beat Tiger Woods (USA) by 1 hole in the 36-hole final. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1998
America
Rancho La Quinta CC
8 skins
$430,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Rancho La Quinta CC

Score

8 skins

Prize money

$430,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Skins Game (Nov 28/29; four-man PGA Tr unofficial money event). O'Meara (USA) won with a total of 8 skins worth $430,000. Second was Tom Lehman (USA) 7 skins worth $420,000. Third was Fred Couples (USA) 3 skins worth $150,000. Greg Norman (Aus) was shut out with no skins. [Rancho La Quinta CC, Coachella Valley, California].

1998
Awards
x
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Score

x

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA of America

O'Meara (USA) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).

1998
Awards
x
n/a
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Score

x

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA Tour

O'Meara (USA) won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Player of the Year, based on the votes of his peers.

1998
Majors
279 (-9)
$576,000
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

$576,000

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (62nd) (April 9-12). Second-placed David Duval (USA) and Fred Couples (USA) finished 1 shot behind O'Meara (USA), who later in the year followed-up his Masters win by winning the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

1998
Majors
280 (E)
£300,000
R&A

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

280 (E)

Prize money

£300,000

Title sponsor

R&A

The Open Championship (127th) (July 16-19). O'Meara (USA) beat Brian Watts (Can/USA) in a four-hole playoff: O'Meara 17 (-1), Watts 19 (+1). O'Meara's second major championship win of the season. [Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, Merseyside].

1997
America
268 (-20)
$342,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

268 (-20)

Prize money

$342,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Jan 30-Feb 2). Second-placed David Duval (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA) finished 1 shot behind O'Meara (USA), who claimed his fifth win in this event. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Poppy Hills GC and Spyglass Hill GC].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$270,000

Title sponsor

Buick

Played as the Buick Invitational (Feb 6-9). Second-placed Donnie Hammond (USA), David Ogrin (USA), Mike Hulbert (USA), Lee Janzen (USA), Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Craig Stadler (USA) and Duffy Waldorf (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mark O'Meara (USA). [South course, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA].

1997
Europe
Saint-Nom-La-Breteche
271
£116,660
Lancome

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Saint-Nom-La-Breteche

Score

271

Prize money

£116,660

Title sponsor

Lancome

Played as the Trophee Lancome. Won by Mark O'Meara (USA). [Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, nr Paris, France].

1996
America
Forest Oaks CC
274 (-14)
$324,000
Chrysler

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Forest Oaks CC

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$324,000

Title sponsor

Chrysler

Played as the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic (April 25-28). Second-placed Duffy Waldorf (USA) finished 2 shots behind O'Meara (USA). [Forest Oaks CC, Greensboro, NC].

1996
America
271 (-17)
$180,000
Mercedes

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Mercedes

Played as the Mercedes Championships (Jan 4-7; PGA Tour season opener). Second-placed Nick Faldo (Eng) and Scott Hoch (USA) finished 3 shots behind O'Meara (USA). [North course, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, Calif. Now known as Champions course].

1995
America
Weston Hills, FL
275 (-9)
$216,000
Honda

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Weston Hills, FL

Score

275 (-9)

Prize money

$216,000

Title sponsor

Honda

Played as the Honda Classic (March 9-12). Second-placed Nick Faldo (Eng) finished 1 shot behind O'Meara (USA). [Weston Hills CC, Weston, nr Ft Lauderdale, FL].

1995
America
274 (-14)
$234,000
Bell

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$234,000

Title sponsor

Bell

Played as the Bell Canadian Open (Sept 7-10). Mark O'Meara (USA) beat Bob Lohr (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole, to record his tenth PGA Tour win. [Glen Abbey GC, Oakville, nr Toronto, Ont.].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

278

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). John Cook (USA) and Cesar Monasterio (Arg) finished in second place behind O'Meara (USA). [Buenos Aires GC, Buenos Aires].

1992
America
275 (-13)
$198,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$198,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Jan 30-Feb 2). O'Meara (USA) beat Jeff Sluman (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole, to win his fourth Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Poppy Hills GC and Spyglass Hill GC].

1991
America
267 (-21)
$180,000
Oldsmobile

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

267 (-21)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Oldsmobile

Played as the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic (Oct 16-19). Second-placed David Peoples (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark O'Meara (USA). [Magnolia course, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Earlier rounds also played on the Palm course].

1990
America
261 (-19)
$144,000
H.E.B.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

261 (-19)

Prize money

$144,000

Title sponsor

H.E.B.

Played as the H.E.B. Texas Open (Oct 4-7). Second-placed Gary Hallberg (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark O'Meara (USA). [Oak Hills CC, San Antonio, TX].

1990
America
281 (-7)
$180,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Feb 1-4). Second-placed Kenny Perry (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion O'Meara (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].

1989
America
190 (-26)
$125,000
RMCC

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

190 (-26)

Prize money

$125,000

Title sponsor

RMCC

Played as the inaugural RMCC Invitational (Nov 16-19). Second-placed Tom Weiskopf (USA) & Lanny Wadkins (USA) finished 6 shots behind the winning team of Curtis Strange (USA) & Mark O'Meara (USA). [Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, nr LA, Calif.].

1989
America
277 (-11)
$180,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

AT&T

Played as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Jan 26-29). Second-placed Tom Kite (USA) finished 1 shot behind O'Meara (USA), who posted his second win in this event. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].

1987
Europe
271 (-17)
£23,330
Lawrence Batley

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

£23,330

Title sponsor

Lawrence Batley

Played as the Lawrence Batley International Championship (Aug 20-23). Second-placed Carl Mason (Eng) finished 3 shots behind O'Meara (USA), who recorded the first of his four European Tour wins. [Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, Merseyside].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

284

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Australian Masters. Won by Mark O'Meara (USA).

1985
America
283 (-5)
$90,000
Bing Crosby

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

Bing Crosby

Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 31-Feb 3). Second-placed Kikuo Arai (Jpn), Larry Rinker (USA) and Curtis Strange (USA) finished 1 shot behind second-time PGA Tour winner O'Meara (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].

1985
America
267 (-21)
$90,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

267 (-21)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Hawaiian Open (Feb 7-10). Second-placed Craig Stadler (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mark O'Meara (USA), who recorded back-to-back PGA Tour wins having won the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am a week earlier. [Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii].

1985
America
275 (-13)
$125,000
Isuzu

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$125,000

Title sponsor

Isuzu

Played as the Isuzu Kapalua International (Nov 14-17; PGA Tour post-season unofficial money event). O'Meara (USA) beat Corey Pavin (USA) with a 15-foot birdie putt at the third playoff hole. [Bay course, Kapalua Resort, Maui, Hawaii].

1984
America
Tuckaway CC
272 (-16)
$54,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Venue

Tuckaway CC

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Greater Milwaukee Open (Sept 13-16). Second-placed Tom Watson (USA) finished 5 shots behind 27-year-old Mark O'Meara (USA), who recorded the first of his 16 PGA Tour wins. [Tuckaway CC, Franklin, nr Milwaukee, Wisc.].

1979
Amateur
8 & 7
amateur
USGA

Category

Amateur

Winner (holder)

O'Meara, Mark

Score

8 & 7

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Amateur Championship (79th) (Aug 28-Sept 2). Mark O'Meara (USA) beat defending champion John Cook (USA) 8 and 7 in the 36-hole final. [Canterbury GC, Beachwood, Ohio].

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