Thomas Edward Lehman (born March 7, 1959) is an American professional golfer. A former #1 ranked golfer, his tournament wins include one major title, the 1996 Open Championship. He is also the only golfer in history to have been awarded the Player of the Year honor on all three PGA Tours: the developmental Ben Hogan Tour, the regular PGA Tour and the senior PGA Tour Champions.

Amateur career

In 1959, Lehman was born in Austin, Minnesota. He was raised in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Lehman played college golf at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis–Saint Paul. He graduated with a degree in business/accounting.

Professional career

In 1982, Lehman turned professional. It took Lehman many years to become a leading tour professional. He played on the PGA Tour with little success from 1983 to 1985 and was then obliged to play elsewhere for the following six seasons. This included time on the Asia Golf Circuit and Southern African Tour and on the second-tier Ben Hogan Tour in the United States. He regained his PGA Tour card by topping the Ben Hogan Tour's 1991 money list, and enjoyed unbroken membership of the PGA Tour from 1992 until shortly after he joined the Champions Tour. He was named PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1996.

From 1995 to 1997, Lehman held the 54-hole lead at the U.S. Open, but each time failed to win. During this period he won his only major championship to date, The Open Championship in 1996. In April 1997, he was #1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for what would be only one week. He has won five times on the PGA Tour, but in addition to his Open win these wins have included the season-ending Tour Championship and Memorial Tournament, and he has won at least nineteen professional events in total.

Although Lehman did not win a lot of tournaments on the PGA Tour he was one of the most consistent players on tour with 19 runner-up finishes between 1992 and 2006.

Unusually for a star American golfer, Lehman won almost as many regular tour events internationally as he did in the United States. His most well-known victory was at the 1996 Open Championship in England. He also won the 1993 Casio World Open on the Japan Golf Tour and the 1997 Gulfstream Loch Lomond World Invitational on the European Tour. He also recorded runner-up finishes at the 1989 South African Open and the 2000 Scottish Open, the European Tour event he won three years previous.

Lehman was captain of the Ryder Cup team in 2006, which lost 18½ to 9½ to Europe at the K Club in Ireland.

In April 2009, Lehman became the 13th Champions Tour player to win his debut tournament. He teamed with Bernhard Langer to win the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in a playoff over Jeff Sluman and Craig Stadler. On May 30, 2010, Lehman won the Senior PGA Championship in a playoff over Fred Couples and David Frost for his first Champions Tour major championship. In 2011, Lehman topped the Champions Tour money list and was voted the Champions Tour Player of the Year. He is the first golfer to win "Player of the Year" honors on all three tours operated by the PGA Tour.

Lehman at the 2010 PGA Championship

In June 2012, Lehman defended his title at the Regions Tradition, to win his third senior major championship. He won by two strokes from Germany's Bernhard Langer and Taiwan's Lu Chien-soon. In his next major appearance at the Senior Players Championship, he finished runner-up, two strokes behind Joe Daley.

Personal life

Lehman and his wife Melissa have lived for many years in Scottsdale, Arizona and they have four children: two daughters and two sons. Lehman is a devout Christian. Lehman is also a golf course designer who’s collaborated with Arnold Palmer to build TPC Twin Cities and redesigned the course at Phoenix Country Club with John Fought. His most notable original design is the Dunes course at the Prairie Club in Nebraska, which has been listed as a top 50 public course in the United States.

Awards and honors

Amateur wins

Professional wins (35)

PGA Tour wins (5)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Tour Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (3)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1May 22, 1994Memorial Tournament67-67-67-67=268−205 strokesAustralia Greg Norman
2May 28, 1995Colonial National Invitation67-68-68-68=271−91 strokeAustralia Craig Parry
3Jul 21, 1996The Open Championship67-67-64-73=271−132 strokesSouth Africa Ernie Els, United States Mark McCumber
4Oct 28, 1996The Tour Championship66-67-64-71=268−126 strokesUnited States Brad Faxon
5Jan 30, 2000Phoenix Open63-67-73-67=270−141 strokeAustralia Robert Allenby, United States Rocco Mediate

PGA Tour playoff record (0–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11997Mercedes ChampionshipsUnited States Tiger WoodsLost to birdie on first extra hole
21999Bay Hill InvitationalUnited States Tim HerronLost to birdie on second extra hole
32006The InternationalUnited States Dean WilsonLost to birdie on second extra hole

European Tour wins (2)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other European Tour (1)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Jul 21, 1996The Open Championship67-67-64-73=271−132 strokesSouth Africa Ernie Els, United States Mark McCumber
2Jul 12, 1997Gulfstream Loch Lomond World Invitational65-66-67-67=265−194 strokesSouth Africa Ernie Els

PGA of Japan Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner-up
1Nov 28, 1993Casio World Open69-69-67-69=274−141 strokeUnited States Phil Mickelson

Ben Hogan Tour wins (4)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Aug 26, 1990Ben Hogan Reflection Ridge66-69-67=202−141 strokeUnited States Greg Whisman
2Mar 17, 1991Ben Hogan Gulf Coast Classic66-71=137−7PlayoffUnited States Tim Straub, United States John Wilson
3May 5, 1991Ben Hogan South Carolina Classic67-66-69=202−14PlayoffUnited States Ray Pearce
4Oct 13, 1991Ben Hogan Santa Rosa Open69-67-71=207−91 strokeUnited States Mike Foster, United States Brad Greer, United States Webb Heintzelman, Australia Jeff Woodland

Ben Hogan Tour playoff record (2–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11991Ben Hogan Gulf Coast ClassicUnited States Tim Straub, United States John WilsonWon with par on eighth extra hole Straub eliminated by par on first hole
21991Ben Hogan South Carolina ClassicUnited States Ray PearceWon with birdie on first extra hole
31991Ben Hogan Tulsa OpenUnited States Frank ConnerLost to birdie on second extra hole
41991Ben Hogan Reno OpenUnited States Rob Boldt, United States John Flannery, Mexico Esteban ToledoFlannery won with birdie on fourth extra hole Boldt and Lehman eliminated by birdie on first hole

Tour de las Américas wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunners-up
1Dec 6, 2009Torneo de Maestros171-66-67-70=274−105 strokesArgentina Miguel Ángel Carballo, Argentina Daniel Vancsik

1Co-sanctioned by the TPG Tour

Other wins (10)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Jul 20, 1986Waterloo Open Golf Classic63-67=130−142 strokesUnited States John Benda
2Jul 30, 1989Minnesota State Open67-71-67=205−112 strokesUnited States John Harris (a)
3Jul 29, 1990Minnesota State Open (2)69-74-73=206−104 strokesUnited States Jon Chaffee, United States Tim Herron (a)
4Dec 10, 1995Diners Club Matches (with United States Duffy Waldorf)1 upUnited States John Huston and United States Kenny Perry
5Nov 15, 1996MasterCard PGA Grand Slam of Golf68-66=134−102 strokesUnited States Steve Jones
6Dec 15, 1996Diners Club Matches (2) (with United States Duffy Waldorf)2 and 1United States Scott Hoch and United States Kenny Perry
7Nov 30, 1997Skins Game$300,000$60,000United States Mark O'Meara
8Nov 22, 1998Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational66-70-69-68=273−152 strokesUnited States Rocco Mediate, United States Kirk Triplett
9Jan 2, 2000Williams World Challenge68-65-67-67=267−133 strokesUnited States David Duval
10Dec 17, 2000Hyundai Team Matches (3) (with United States Duffy Waldorf)20 holesUnited States Mark Calcavecchia and United States Fred Couples

Other playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
12019PNC Father-Son Challenge (with son Thomas Lehman)South Africa Retief Goosen and son Leo Goosen, Germany Bernhard Langer and son Jason LangerTeam Langer won with eagle on first extra hole

PGA Tour Champions wins (12)

Legend
PGA Tour Champions major championships (3)
Tour Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour Champions (8)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Apr 26, 2009Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (with Germany Bernhard Langer)61-66-62=189−27PlayoffUnited States Jeff Sluman and United States Craig Stadler
2May 30, 2010Senior PGA Championship68-71-71-71=281−7PlayoffUnited States Fred Couples, South Africa David Frost
3Feb 13, 2011Allianz Championship65-69-69=203−131 strokeUnited States Jeff Sluman, Canada Rod Spittle
4Apr 3, 2011Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic67-64-69=200−161 strokeSouth Africa David Frost, Zimbabwe Nick Price, United States Jeff Sluman
5May 8, 2011Regions Tradition67-71-68-69=275−13PlayoffAustralia Peter Senior
6Jun 10, 2012Regions Tradition (2)69-69-68-68=274−142 strokesGermany Bernhard Langer, Taiwan Lu Chien-soon
7Nov 4, 2012Charles Schwab Cup Championship68-63-62-65=258−226 strokesUnited States Jay Haas
8Jun 22, 2014Encompass Championship65-66-70=201−151 strokeUnited States Michael Allen, United States Kirk Triplett
9Oct 11, 2015SAS Championship68-71-65=204−121 strokeUnited States Joe Durant
10Mar 19, 2017Tucson Conquistadores Classic66-67-66=199−201 strokeUnited States Steve Stricker
11Jun 10, 2018Principal Charity Classic66-65=131−132 strokesUnited States Woody Austin, United States Glen Day Germany Bernhard Langer, United States Scott Parel
12Jan 19, 2019Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai69-65-65=199−171 strokeUnited States David Toms

PGA Tour Champions playoff record (3–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12009Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (with Germany Bernhard Langer)United States Jeff Sluman and United States Craig StadlerWon with par on second extra hole
22010Senior PGA ChampionshipUnited States Fred Couples, South Africa David FrostWon with par on first extra hole
32011Regions TraditionAustralia Peter SeniorWon with par on second extra hole
42015Insperity InvitationalUnited States Kenny Perry, Wales Ian WoosnamWoosnam won with birdie on first extra hole
52018Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf (with Germany Bernhard Langer)England Paul Broadhurst and United States Kirk TriplettLost to birdie on first extra hole

European Senior Tour wins (2)

Legend
Senior major championships (1)
Tour Championships (1)
Other European Senior Tour (0)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1May 30, 2010Senior PGA Championship68-71-71-71=281−7PlayoffUnited States Fred Couples, South Africa David Frost
2Dec 11, 2011MCB Tour Championship65-68-71=204−121 strokeSouth Africa David Frost

European Senior Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
12010Senior PGA ChampionshipUnited States Fred Couples, South Africa David FrostWon with par on first extra hole

Major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunners-up
1996The Open Championship6 shot lead−13 (67-67-64-73=271)2 strokesSouth Africa Ernie Els, United States Mark McCumber

Results timeline

Tournament1986198719881989
Masters Tournament
U.S. OpenCUTCUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters TournamentT3240T18T12CUTT31
U.S. OpenCUTT6T19T333T23T5T28
The Open ChampionshipT59T241T24CUTCUT
PGA ChampionshipCUTT39CUTT14T10T29T34
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Masters Tournament6T18CUTCUTT13CUT
U.S. OpenT23T24T45CUTCUTT47
The Open ChampionshipT4CUTCUTT46CUTT23CUTT51T32T60
PGA ChampionshipWDCUTT29CUTCUTCUTT69T42T60
Tournament201020112012201320142015201620172018
Masters Tournament
U.S. OpenCUT
The Open ChampionshipT14T22CUTT58CUTCUTCUT
PGA ChampionshipT55
Tournament2019
Masters Tournament
PGA Championship
U.S. Open
The Open ChampionshipCUT

WD = Withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament011237139
PGA Championship0000121710
U.S. Open0124581812
The Open Championship1002272413
Totals123811247244
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 8 (1996 Masters – 1997 PGA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1996 U.S. Open – 1996 Open Championship)

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament19921993199419951996199719981999
The Players ChampionshipT13T11CUTT14T86T2CUT
Tournament200020012002200320042005200620072008
The Players Championship8T12T28T39CUTT2T27T23T6

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

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament19992000200120022003200420052006
Match PlayR64R32R16QFR64R324
ChampionshipT25NT1T3961
InvitationalT15T31T38T41T42

1Cancelled due to 9/11

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play "T" = tied NT = No tournament

Senior major championships

Wins (3)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up
2010Senior PGA ChampionshipTied for the lead−7 (68-71-71-71=281)PlayoffUnited States Fred Couples, South Africa David Frost
2011Regions Tradition2 shot deficit−13 (67-71-68-69=275)PlayoffAustralia Peter Senior
2012Regions Tradition (2)2 shot lead−14 (69-69-68-68=274)2 strokesGermany Bernhard Langer, Taiwan Lu Chien-soon

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order.

Tournament20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
The TraditionT8T411T22T3T5T35T6T27T16NTT68T44T71T67
Senior PGA ChampionshipT221T22T29T48T26T16T15CUTT28NTT50T43CUTCUTCUT
Senior Players Championship42T16T20T20T25T18T43T11T43T25T70WD
U.S. Senior OpenT8T12T23T2T9T24T23T11T4CUTT11NTT21T60CUT
Senior British Open ChampionshipT58T11T21T10T26T22T14T23T6T36NTT11

CUT = missed the halfway cut WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Awards

Lehman has won the following awards:

U.S. national team appearances

See also

Notes

External links