William Timothy Britton (born November 13, 1955) is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour for fifteen years during the 1980s and 1990s.

Early life and amateur career

Britton was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, and attended Monsignor Farrell High School. He played college golf at Miami Dade College, and in 1975 he won the National Junior College Athletic Association Championship. He received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played for coach Buster Bishop's Florida Gators men's golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition in 1976 and 1977. Britton graduated from Florida with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance in 1979. He was mentored by Jim Albus, a club professional and six-time winner on the Champions Tour.

Britton is a two-time winner of the Metropolitan Amateur, and was the two-time defending champion when the tournament was held at Century Country Club in Purchase, New York, in 1977. He advanced to the quarterfinals at Century, and played Lou Mattiace, the father of future PGA Tour player Len Mattiace. In a memorable match, Mattiace dethroned the Staten Island native on the 18th green, 1-up.

Professional career

Britton then turned professional in 1979 and joined the PGA Tour in 1980. During his 15 years on the Tour, Britton won once and had 23 top-10 finishes. His best finishes in majors came in 1990: T-7 at The Masters and 4th in the PGA Championship.

After his years as a touring pro were over, Britton became a teaching pro and author in New Jersey. He has published articles for The Met Golfer, New Jersey Golfer and Sports Illustrated. He has been named one of the "Top Ten Teachers" in New Jersey by Golf Digest. He was New Jersey Section PGA's Player of the Year in 2002, and Senior Player of the Year in 2006. He has played in a limited number of PGA Tour Champions events, playing his last event in 2017. He currently serves as the head men's golf coach for Monmouth University.

Amateur wins

Professional wins (5)

PGA Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner-up
1Oct 1, 1989Centel Classic−16 (71-66-63=200)4 strokesUnited States Ronnie Black

PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11982Walt Disney World Golf ClassicUnited States Hal SuttonLost to birdie on fourth extra hole

Other wins (4)

Results in major championships

Tournament19821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament
U.S. OpenCUTT60CUTCUTCUT
The Open Championship
PGA ChampionshipCUTT77T41
Tournament199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004
Masters TournamentT7CUT
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUTCUTCUTCUT
PGA Championship4CUTT21CUT

CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" = tied

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament00001121
U.S. Open00000051
The Open Championship00000040
PGA Championship00011264
Totals000123176
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 3 (1989 PGA – 1990 PGA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1990 Masters – 1990 PGA)

Results in senior major championships

Tournament200720082009201020112012201320162017
Senior PGA ChampionshipT68T16T33T75CUTT35CUTCUT
U.S. Senior OpenT53T50CUT

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Awards and honors

See also

Notes

External links