Thomas Warren Purtzer (born December 5, 1951) is an American professional golfer. Purtzer won a number of tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

Early life and amateur career

Purtzer was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Arizona State University in Tempe, where he was a member of the school's golf team. He graduated in 1973.

Professional career

In 1973, he turned pro. Purtzer is often described in golf literature as having the "sweetest swing in golf". He won five tournaments on the PGA Tour in three different decades, and won four times on the Champions Tour. His best finishes in major championships were 4th at the 1977 U.S. Open and T4 at the 1982 Open Championship.

Personal life

His brother, Paul Purtzer, was also a professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour. Purtzer and his brother operate Purtzer Performance Golf School and Academy in Phoenix, Arizona.

Purtzer lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Professional wins (15)

PGA Tour wins (5)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Feb 20, 1977Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open−11 (68-67-66-72=273)1 strokeUnited States Lanny Wadkins
2Jan 22, 1984Phoenix Open−16 (68-67-68-65=268)1 strokeUnited States Corey Pavin
3Oct 9, 1988Gatlin Brothers-Southwest Golf Classic−19 (64-72-69-64=269)PlayoffUnited States Mark Brooks
4May 26, 1991Southwestern Bell Colonial−13 (70-66-67-64=267)3 strokesUnited States David Edwards, United States Scott Hoch, United States Bob Lohr
5Aug 25, 1991NEC World Series of Golf−1 (72-69-67-71=279)PlayoffUnited States Jim Gallagher Jr., United States Davis Love III

PGA Tour playoff record (2–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11988Gatlin Brothers-Southwest Golf ClassicUnited States Mark BrooksWon with par on first extra hole
21991NEC World Series of GolfUnited States Jim Gallagher Jr., United States Davis Love IIIWon with par on second extra hole

PGA of Japan Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner-up
1Nov 11, 1979ABC Japan vs USA Golf Matches−12 (69-67-68-72=276)10 strokesUnited States Bill Rogers

Other wins (4)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunners-up
1Jul 7, 1981Jerry Ford Invitational−10 (69-63=132)1 strokeUnited States John Cook, United States Craig Stadler, United States Curtis Strange
2Dec 7, 1986JCPenney Classic (with United States Juli Inkster)−23 (61-69-66-69=265)2 strokesUnited States Mike Hulbert and United States Val Skinner
3Nov 24, 1991Shark Shootout (with United States Lanny Wadkins)−27 (61-65-63=189)4 strokesUnited States Jack Nicklaus and Australia Greg Norman
4Aug 24, 1993Fred Meyer Challenge (with Australia Steve Elkington)−16 (63-63=128)1 strokeUnited States Fred Couples and United States Davis Love III, United States Brad Faxon and United States Rick Fehr, United States Jim Gallagher Jr. and United States Bruce Lietzke

Other playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
11985Chrysler Team Championship (with United States Jim Colbert)United States Charlie Bolling and United States Brad Fabel, United States Raymond Floyd and United States Hal Sutton, United States John Fought and United States Pat McGowan, United States Gary Hallberg and United States Scott HochFloyd/Sutton won with birdie on first extra hole

Champions Tour wins (4)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Mar 16, 2003SBC Classic−9 (67-68=135)1 strokeUnited States Gil Morgan
2Mar 21, 2004Toshiba Senior Classic−15 (60-71-67=198)1 strokeUnited States Morris Hatalsky
3Aug 7, 20053M Championship−15 (63-69-69=201)1 strokeUnited States Lonnie Nielsen, United States Craig Stadler
4Mar 18, 2007AT&T Champions Classic−10 (69-69-68=206)PlayoffUnited States Loren Roberts

Champions Tour playoff record (1–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
12005Bank of America ChampionshipRepublic of Ireland Mark McNulty, United States Don PooleyMcNulty won with birdie on second extra hole
22007AT&T Champions ClassicUnited States Loren RobertsWon with birdie on fourth extra hole

PGA of Australia Legends Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner-up
1Apr 9, 2005Titanium Enterprises Australian PGA Seniors Championship−10 (67-68-71=206)5 strokesScotland John Chillas

Source:

Results in major championships

Tournament1976197719781979
Masters TournamentCUTT37
U.S. OpenT444T248
The Open Championship
PGA ChampionshipCUTT54CUT
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament32T25CUTT24
U.S. OpenCUTCUTCUTT16T68
The Open ChampionshipT4CUT
PGA ChampionshipCUTT19T16CUTCUTCUTT47CUTT53
Tournament19901991199219931994199519961997
Masters TournamentT45T61
U.S. OpenT37T33T32
The Open ChampionshipT22T70T62
PGA ChampionshipT31T32T21CUT

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

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament00000286
U.S. Open000124129
The Open Championship00011254
PGA Championship000003168
Totals00023114127
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 12 (1989 Masters – 1996 Open Championship)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (three times)

Results in The Players Championship

Tournament197719781979
The Players ChampionshipT59CUTCUT
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
The Players ChampionshipCUTT19CUTT19T41T40T48T9T45T55
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The Players ChampionshipT3CUTCUTCUTCUTCUTT62T24CUTCUT
Tournament20002001
The Players ChampionshipCUTCUT

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

U.S. national team appearances

See also

Notes

External links