Des Smyth
Encyclopedia
Desmond John Smyth is an Irish
professional golfer
.
Smyth was born in Drogheda
, County Louth
. He turned professional in 1974 and was a member of the European Tour
for over a quarter of a century. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was seventh in 1988. He won eight tournaments on the tour across four different decades, breaking Neil Coles'
record as the oldest man to win a European Tour event when he claimed the 2001 Madeira Island Open
at the age of 48 years and 34 days.
Smyth represented Europe in the Ryder Cup
in 1979
and 1981
, losing on both occasions to the United States
. Smyth also represented his country in the World Cup and the Alfred Dunhill Cup
many times and was a member of the Irish team (alongside Eamonn Darcy
and Ronan Rafferty
) which won the latter in 1988. At the 2006 Ryder Cup
, he was one of Ian Woosnam
's vice-captains.
Since turning fifty in 2003, Smyth has had a successful career in senior golf, winning tournaments on both the Champions Tour
and the European Seniors Tour
.
student at IT
Blanchardstown
. Greg won Ireland's eighth largest lottery
jackpot of €9,426,636 on 13 August 2008.
.
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
DQ = Disqualified
"T" = tied
Yellow background for top-10.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
.
Smyth was born in Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He turned professional in 1974 and was a member of the European Tour
PGA European Tour
The PGA European Tour is an organization which operates the three leading men's professional golf tours in Europe: the elite European Tour, the European Seniors Tour and the developmental Challenge Tour. Its headquarters are at Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, England...
for over a quarter of a century. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was seventh in 1988. He won eight tournaments on the tour across four different decades, breaking Neil Coles'
Neil Coles
Neil Chapman Coles, MBE is an English professional golfer. As of 2005, Coles is only the second man to win a professional golf tournament in six different decades, starting in the 1950s and extending into the 21st century.Coles was born in England...
record as the oldest man to win a European Tour event when he claimed the 2001 Madeira Island Open
Madeira Island Open
The Madeira Islands Open is a men's professional golf tournament on the European Tour, played on the Madeira Islands in Portugal. It was founded in 1993 and is often the first event of the season played in Europe, after the season has spent the northern winter in Asia, Australasia and South Africa...
at the age of 48 years and 34 days.
Smyth represented Europe in the Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
in 1979
1979 Ryder Cup
The 23rd Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Greenbrier Course of The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It was the beginning of a new era for the Ryder Cup...
and 1981
1981 Ryder Cup
The 24th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Walton Heath Golf Club in Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey, England.The United States team won the competition by a score of 18½ to 9½ points. To date it remains the heaviest defeat that a European team has suffered at the hands of the United States.-Format:The...
, losing on both occasions to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Smyth also represented his country in the World Cup and the Alfred Dunhill Cup
Alfred Dunhill Cup
The Alfred Dunhill Cup was a team golf tournament which ran from 1985 to 2000. It was for three man teams of professional golfers, one team representing each country, and was promoted as the "World Team Championship". It was a "special approved event" on the European Tour, which means that it was...
many times and was a member of the Irish team (alongside Eamonn Darcy
Eamonn Darcy
Eamonn Darcy is one of the most successful golfers produced by the Republic of Ireland.Darcy was born in Delgany, County Wicklow. He turned professional in 1968 and played on the European Tour from 1972, winning four European Tour tournaments. His best years were 1975, when he came third on the...
and Ronan Rafferty
Ronan Rafferty
Ronan P. Rafferty is an Northern Irish professional golfer, who formerly played on the European Tour.Rafferty was born in Newry, Northern Ireland. He won the Boys Amateur Championship aged fifteen and played in the Walker Cup aged seventeen...
) which won the latter in 1988. At the 2006 Ryder Cup
2006 Ryder Cup
The 36th Ryder Cup Matches were held 22–24 September 2006 at the K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Team Europe won the competition by a score of 18½ to 9½ points, equalling their record winning margin of 2 years earlier. This was the first time Europe had achieved three successive victories...
, he was one of Ian Woosnam
Ian Woosnam
Ian Harold Woosnam OBE is a Welsh professional golfer.Nicknamed 'Woosie', 'Woosers', or the 'Wee Welshman', Woosnam was one of the "Big Five" generation of European golfers, all born within 12 months of one another, all of whom have won majors, and made Europe competitive in the Ryder Cup...
's vice-captains.
Since turning fifty in 2003, Smyth has had a successful career in senior golf, winning tournaments on both the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
and the European Seniors Tour
European Seniors Tour
The European Seniors Tour is a professional tour for male golfers aged 50 and over run by the PGA European Tour.The Tour was founded in 1992. In 2008 it had a total prize fund of €7,729,284, so it is much further behind the U.S.-based Champions Tour in relative prize money than the main European...
.
Personal life
Smyth has a son, Greg, a horticulturalHorticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
student at IT
Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown
The Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown , established in 1999, is , the last-founded Institute of Technology in Ireland...
Blanchardstown
Blanchardstown
Blanchardstown is a large suburb of Dublin in the district of Fingal, Ireland. It is within the historical barony of Castleknock. It is located 10 km north-west of the city centre. The suburb is in the Dublin 15 postal area, the Dublin West electoral constituency, and Fingal County...
. Greg won Ireland's eighth largest lottery
National Lottery (Ireland)
The National Lottery is the state lottery of Ireland. It was founded when the Oireachtas passed the to support initiatives in the areas of sport and recreation, health and welfare, national heritage and the arts, and the Irish language. Since gaming operations began on 23 March 1987, over €3.6...
jackpot of €9,426,636 on 13 August 2008.
European Tour wins (8)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 Aug 1979 1979 European Tour The 1979 European Tour was the eighth official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour and organised by the Professional Golfers' Association.The Order of Merit was won by Scotland's Sandy Lyle.-Schedule:... |
Sun Alliance European Match Play Championship | 3&2 |  Nick PriceNick Price Nicholas Raymond Leige Price is a South African-Zimbabwean Professional golfer and an inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Rankings.-Background:... |
|
| 2 | 8 Jun 1980 1980 European Tour The 1980 European Tour was the ninth official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour and organised by the Professional Golfers' Association.The Order of Merit was won by Scotland's Sandy Lyle.-Schedule:... |
Newcastle Brown "900" Championship | 1 stroke |  Graham Burroughs, Neil ColesNeil Coles Neil Chapman Coles, MBE is an English professional golfer. As of 2005, Coles is only the second man to win a professional golf tournament in six different decades, starting in the 1950s and extending into the 21st century.Coles was born in England... ,  Greg NormanGreg Norman Gregory John Norman AO is an Australian professional golfer and entrepreneur who spent 331 weeks as the world's Number 1 ranked golfer in the 1980s and 1990s... |
|
| 3 | 22 Jun 1980 | Cold Shield Greater Manchester Open | Playoff | Brian Waites Brian Waites Brian Waites is an English professional golfer.Waites turned professional in 1957 and played on the European Tour through most of the 1970s and 1980s. He was in his prime between 1978 and 1984, ranking between 10th and 22nd on the Order of Merit in each of those seven years. He won two European... |
|
| 4 | 28 Jun 1981 1981 European Tour The 1981 European Tour was the tenth official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour and organised by the Professional Golfers' Association.The Order of Merit was won by West Germany's Bernhard Langer.-Schedule:... |
Coral Classic | 2 strokes | Michael King Michael King (golfer) Michael G. King is an English professional golfer.King was born in Reading, Berkshire. As an amateur, he won the Lytham Trophy in 1973, and played in the Walker Cup in 1969 and 1973.... ,  Bernhard LangerBernhard Langer Bernhard Langer is a German professional golfer. He is a two-time Masters champion, and was one of the world's leading golfers throughout the 1980s and 90s, being the first official number one ranked player in 1986... ,  John O'LearyJohn O'Leary (golfer) John O'Leary is an Irish professional golfer.O'Leary was born in Dublin. He turned professional in 1970 and played on the European Tour until 1989. Despite finishing highly on the Order of Merit every season though 1987, he won only twice on the tour... |
|
| 5 | 30 Oct 1983 1983 European Tour The 1983 European Tour was the twelfth official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour and organised by the Professional Golfers' Association.The Order of Merit was won by England's Nick Faldo, who won five tournaments during the season.... |
Sanyo Open Sanyo Open The Sanyo Open was a European Tour golf tournament which was held annually in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain from 1982 to 1986. It was played at Sant Cugat the first year and thereafter at El Prat. The most notable winner was the Spanish five time major championship winner Seve Ballesteros... |
1 stroke |  Hugh BaiocchiHugh Baiocchi Hugh John Baiocchi is a South African professional golfer who has won more than twenty professional tournaments around the world.... , Mark James |
|
| 6 | 23 Oct 1988 1988 European Tour The 1988 European Tour was the seventeenth official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour. It marked the beginning of a long association for the tour with Swedish car maker Volvo, who became the tour's first official title sponsor.... |
BNP Jersey Open Jersey Open The Jersey Open was a European Tour golf tournament which was played in Jersey, a British Crown dependency in the English Channel, from 1978 to 1995. It had several different names during this period. The venue was La Moye Golf Club. The winners included three major championship winners, Tony... |
Playoff | Roger Chapman Roger Chapman (golfer) Roger M. Chapman is an English professional golfer.Chapman was born in Nakuru, Kenya. He won the English Amateur in 1979 and represented Great Britain & Ireland in the 1981 Walker Cup, beating Hal Sutton twice in one day.... |
|
| 7 | 31 Oct 1993 1993 European Tour The 1993 European Tour was the 22nd official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour.The Order of Merit was won by Scotland's Colin Montgomerie.-Schedule:... |
Madrid Open | 3 strokes |  Domingo Hospital, José RiveroJosé Rivero José Rivero is a Spanish golfer. He started his golf career as a caddie and turned professional in 1973. He was a full member of the European Tour from 1983 to 2001 and he won four European Tour events... , Mark RoeMark Roe Mark Adrian Roe is an English professional golfer, best known for being disqualified from the 2003 Open Championship for a scorecard error.... , Wayne WestnerWayne Westner Wayne Brett Westner is a South African golfer.Westner was born in Johannesburg. He turned professional in 1981 and has won several events in his home country, including two South African Opens. He spent many years on the European Tour where he won two tournaments and had a best Order of Merit... |
|
| 8 | 18 Mar 2001 2001 European Tour The 2001 European Tour was the 30th official season of golf tournaments known as the PGA European Tour.The Order of Merit was won by South Africa's Retief Goosen.-Schedule:... |
Madeira Island Open Madeira Island Open The Madeira Islands Open is a men's professional golf tournament on the European Tour, played on the Madeira Islands in Portugal. It was founded in 1993 and is often the first event of the season played in Europe, after the season has spent the northern winter in Asia, Australasia and South Africa... |
2 strokes | John Bickerton John Bickerton John Edward Bickerton is an English golfer.Bickerton was born in Redditch, England. He turned professional in 1991.... |
|
Other wins (8)
- 1979 Irish National PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
- 1985 Irish National PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
- 1986 Irish National PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
- 1988 Alfred Dunhill CupAlfred Dunhill CupThe Alfred Dunhill Cup was a team golf tournament which ran from 1985 to 2000. It was for three man teams of professional golfers, one team representing each country, and was promoted as the "World Team Championship". It was a "special approved event" on the European Tour, which means that it was...
(with Eamonn DarcyEamonn DarcyEamonn Darcy is one of the most successful golfers produced by the Republic of Ireland.Darcy was born in Delgany, County Wicklow. He turned professional in 1968 and played on the European Tour from 1972, winning four European Tour tournaments. His best years were 1975, when he came third on the...
and Ronan RaffertyRonan RaffertyRonan P. Rafferty is an Northern Irish professional golfer, who formerly played on the European Tour.Rafferty was born in Newry, Northern Ireland. He won the Boys Amateur Championship aged fifteen and played in the Walker Cup aged seventeen...
) - 1990 Irish National PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
- 1995 Glen Dimplex Irish Match Play
- 1996 Irish National PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
- 2001 Irish National PGA ChampionshipIrish PGA ChampionshipThe Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the Emerald Isles, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's...
Champions Tour wins (2)
- 20052005 Champions TourThe 2005 Champions Tour was the 26th season since the Champions Tour officially began in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour. The season consisted of 28 official money events with purses totalling $51,200,000, including five majors. Hale Irwin won the most tournaments, four...
SBC Classic, Liberty Mutual Legends of GolfLiberty Mutual Legends of GolfThe Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour. It is played annually in April currently in Savannah, Georgia at The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort. Liberty Mutual is the main sponsor of the tournament...
European Seniors Tour wins (4)
- 2005 Arcapita Seniors Tour Championship
- 2007 Wentworth Senior MastersWentworth Senior MastersWentworth Senior Masters is a men's professional golf tournament on the European Seniors Tour. It was first played in 1997, when it was won by one of golf's all time greats, Gary Player of South Africa. It is staged at the Wentworth Club on the western fringes of London, which is the location of...
- 2010 Travis Perkins plc Senior MastersTravis Perkins plc Senior MastersThe Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters is a golf tournament for men over fifty on the European Seniors Tour. It was founded in 2001 and has always been played at Woburn Golf and Country Club in England...
- 2011 Van Lanschot Senior OpenVan Lanschot Senior OpenThe Van Lanschot Senior Open is a men's golf tournament on the European Seniors Tour. It is held at The Royal Haagsche Golf & Country Club in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the first EST event to be held in the Netherlands since the 2001 Legends in Golf....
Other senior wins (1)
- 2011 Liberty Mutual Legends of GolfLiberty Mutual Legends of GolfThe Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour. It is played annually in April currently in Savannah, Georgia at The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort. Liberty Mutual is the main sponsor of the tournament...
- Raphael Division (with Mark James)
Results in major championships
Note: The only major Smyth played in was The Open ChampionshipThe Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
.
| Tournament | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
CUT | CUT | CUT | DNP | DNP |
| Tournament | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
CUT | T31 | T4 | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT | DNP | CUT |
| Tournament | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
CUT | T44 | CUT | T27 | CUT | DNP | DQ | DNP | T15 | CUT |
| Tournament | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
DNP | T13 | T28 |
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
DQ = Disqualified
"T" = tied
Yellow background for top-10.
Team appearances
- Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
: 1979, 1981 - Alfred Dunhill CupAlfred Dunhill CupThe Alfred Dunhill Cup was a team golf tournament which ran from 1985 to 2000. It was for three man teams of professional golfers, one team representing each country, and was promoted as the "World Team Championship". It was a "special approved event" on the European Tour, which means that it was...
: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 (winners), 2000 - World Cup: 1979, 1980, 1982, 1988, 1989
- Hennessy Cognac Cup: 1980 (winners), 1982 (winners), 1984
- UBS CupUBS CupThe UBS Cup was a team golf tournament contested by the United States and a team representing the "Rest of the World" which ran from 2001 to 2004. Six golfers on each side had to be 50 or over, and the remaining six had to be in their forties. It was sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the European...
: 2001