Todd Hamilton
Encyclopedia
William Todd Hamilton is an American professional golfer
.
Hamilton was born in the small west-central Illinois
city of Galesburg
. He grew up in an even smaller Henderson County town on the Mississippi
called Oquawka. He attended Union High School in Biggsville, Illinois
and played golf regularly on the local 9-hole golf course (now an 18 holes), Hend-Co Hills. He went to the University of Oklahoma
for college where he continued to play.
Hamilton turned professional in 1987 but was unable to gain entrance to the PGA Tour
. Instead he played internationally for many years, primarily on the Japan Golf Tour
. When he left the Japan Golf Tour, he was the all-time leading non-Japanese money winner on it, with earnings of over 630 million yen and had won 11 times.
After eight tries, at the age of thirty eight, Hamilton went back to Qualifying School
in 2003 where he finally earned his first PGA Card.
Hamilton won his first PGA Tour event at the 2004 Honda Classic
. He birdied the final two holes to beat Davis Love III
by one stroke at 12 under par. Later that year, Hamilton defeated Ernie Els
in a four-hole playoff to win the British Open
at the Royal Troon Golf Club
.
These two victories in his first season on the PGA Tour led to Hamilton's being named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for 2004.
In 2006, Hamilton captained the American team in ITV
's celebrity golf tournament, the All*Star Cup.
Hamilton lives in Westlake, Texas
.
1 Defeated Ernie Els in 4-hole playoff: Hamilton (4–4–3–4=15), Els (4–4–4–4=16)
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins.
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;...
.
Hamilton was born in the small west-central Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
city of Galesburg
Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg is a city in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,195. It is the county seat of Knox County....
. He grew up in an even smaller Henderson County town on the Mississippi
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
called Oquawka. He attended Union High School in Biggsville, Illinois
Biggsville, Illinois
Biggsville is a village in Henderson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 343 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Burlington, IA–IL Micropolitan Statistical Area...
and played golf regularly on the local 9-hole golf course (now an 18 holes), Hend-Co Hills. He went to the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
for college where he continued to play.
Hamilton turned professional in 1987 but was unable to gain entrance to the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. Instead he played internationally for many years, primarily on the Japan Golf Tour
Japan Golf Tour
The Japan Golf Tour is a prominent golf tour. It was founded in 1973 and as of 2006 it offers the third highest annual prize fund out of the regular men's professional tours after the PGA Tour and the European Tour. However since the early 1990s, the growth in prize money has not kept pace with...
. When he left the Japan Golf Tour, he was the all-time leading non-Japanese money winner on it, with earnings of over 630 million yen and had won 11 times.
After eight tries, at the age of thirty eight, Hamilton went back to Qualifying School
Qualifying school
In professional golf the term qualifying school is used for the annual qualifying tournaments for leading golf tours such as the U.S. based PGA and LPGA Tours and the European Tour. A fixed number of players in the event win membership of the tour for the following season, otherwise known as a...
in 2003 where he finally earned his first PGA Card.
Hamilton won his first PGA Tour event at the 2004 Honda Classic
Honda Classic
The Honda Classic is a PGA Tour golf tournament that is played each March in Florida. It was founded in 1972 as the Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic. In 1981, American Motors backed the tournament. Since 1982, American Honda Motor Co., Inc...
. He birdied the final two holes to beat Davis Love III
Davis Love III
Davis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA...
by one stroke at 12 under par. Later that year, Hamilton defeated Ernie Els
Ernie Els
Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing...
in a four-hole playoff to win the British Open
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...
at the Royal Troon Golf Club
Royal Troon Golf Club
Royal Troon Golf Club is a links golf course located in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The club was founded in 1878, initially with five holes. Its Old Course is now one of the host courses for The Open Championship, one of the major championships on the PGA Tour and European Tour...
.
These two victories in his first season on the PGA Tour led to Hamilton's being named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year for 2004.
In 2006, Hamilton captained the American team in ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's celebrity golf tournament, the All*Star Cup.
Hamilton lives in Westlake, Texas
Westlake, Texas
Westlake is a town in Denton and Tarrant Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population is 702 as of the 2010 United States Census.The area known as Westlake was originally settled in 1847 by Charles and Matilda Medlin with about 20 other families. In the mid-twentieth century, now-Westlake...
.
PGA Tour wins (2)
EWLINE
|
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 14, 2004 2004 PGA Tour The 2004 PGA Tour season was played from January 8 to November 7. The season consisted of 48 official money events. Vijay Singh won the most tournaments, nine, and there were 10 first-time winners. The tournament results, leaders, and award winners are listed below.-Tournament results:The following... |
Honda Classic Honda Classic The Honda Classic is a PGA Tour golf tournament that is played each March in Florida. It was founded in 1972 as the Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic. In 1981, American Motors backed the tournament. Since 1982, American Honda Motor Co., Inc... |
1 stroke |  Davis Love IIIDavis Love III Davis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA... |
|
| 2 | Jul 18, 2004 2004 PGA Tour The 2004 PGA Tour season was played from January 8 to November 7. The season consisted of 48 official money events. Vijay Singh won the most tournaments, nine, and there were 10 first-time winners. The tournament results, leaders, and award winners are listed below.-Tournament results:The following... |
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... |
Playoff |  Ernie ElsErnie Els Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing... |
Japan Golf Tour wins (11)
- 1992 (1) Maruman OpenMaruman OpenThe Maruman Open was a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour from at least 1985 to 1994. It was played in August at a variety of courses around Japan.-Winners:this list may be incomplete*1994 David Ishii*1993 Frankie Miñoza*1992 Todd Hamilton...
- 1993 (1) Acom InternationalAcom InternationalThe Acom International was a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour from 1990 to 2006. From 1990 to 1998, it was played with a Modified Stableford format similar to The International on the U.S. PGA Tour. Beginning in 1999, it was played at a standard stroke play format...
- 1994 (2) PGA Philanthropy TournamentPGA Philanthropy TournamentThe PGA Philanthropy Tournament was a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour from 1991 to 2000. It was played at a variety of courses throughout Japan.-Winners:*2000 Masashi Shimada*1999 No tournament*1998 Shigeki Maruyama*1997 Naomichi Ozaki...
, Japan PGA Match-Play Championship Promise Cup - 1995 (1) Token Corporation Cup
- 1996 (1) PGA Philanthropy TournamentPGA Philanthropy TournamentThe PGA Philanthropy Tournament was a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour from 1991 to 2000. It was played at a variety of courses throughout Japan.-Winners:*2000 Masashi Shimada*1999 No tournament*1998 Shigeki Maruyama*1997 Naomichi Ozaki...
- 1998 (1) Gene Sarazen Jun Classic
- 2003 (4) Fujisankei ClassicFujisankei ClassicThe is an annual golf event on the Japan Golf Tour. It was first played in 1973 on the Takasaka Country Club - Yoneyama Course. The tournament moved to the Higashi-Matsuyama Golf Club in 1979 and to the Kawana Hotel's Fuji course in 1981. The tournament has been held at the Fujizakura Country Club...
, Diamond Cup Tournament, Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open, Japan PGA Match-Play ChampionshipJapan PGA Match-Play Championship-Winners:Japan PGA Match-Play Championship*2003 Todd HamiltonJapan PGA Match-Play Championship Promise Cup*2002 Nobuhito Sato*2001 Dean Wilson*2000 Kaname Yokoo*1999 Mamo Osanai*1998 Katsunori Kuwabara*1997 Shigeki Maruyama*1996 Nobuo Serizawa...
Other wins (4)
- 1992 (2) Singapore Rolex Masters, Maekyung OpenMaekyung OpenThe GS Caltex Maekyung Open, as it is known for sponsorship reasons, is a professional golf tournament that takes place in South Korea. It was established in 1982...
- 1994 (1) Thailand OpenThailand Open (golf)The Thailand Open is a golf tournament. It was an Asian Tour event through 2009. In 2010, it will become part of the fledgling OneAsia Tour's schedule. It was founded in 1965.-Winners:-External links:*...
- 1999 (1) Oklahoma OpenOklahoma OpenThe Oklahoma Open is the Oklahoma state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Oklahoma Golf Association. It has been played annually since 1910 at a variety of courses around the state...
Wins (1)
| Year | Championship | 54 Holes | Winning Score | Margin | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 2004 Open Championship The 2004 Open Championship was the 133rd Open Championship, played from 15-18 July at Royal Troon Golf Club. Todd Hamilton held off Ernie Els in a playoff after carding a final round 69. Phil Mickelson finished third, followed by Lee Westwood in fourth. The win made Todd the fifth consecutive... |
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... |
1 shot lead | −10 (71–67–67–69=274) | Playoff 1 | Ernie Els Ernie Els Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing... |
1 Defeated Ernie Els in 4-hole playoff: Hamilton (4–4–3–4=15), Els (4–4–4–4=16)
Results timeline
| Tournament | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP |
| U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
CUT | DNP |
| 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 | DNP |
| PGA Championship PGA Championship The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship... |
DNP | DNP |
| Tournament | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 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 | DNP | CUT | DNP | DNP | DNP | T45 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| PGA Championship PGA Championship The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Tournament | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 40 | T39 | CUT | CUT | T36 | T15 |
| U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT | T36 | T36 |
| 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 | DNP | DNP | CUT | 1 | CUT | T68 | CUT | T32 | CUT |
| PGA Championship PGA Championship The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T29 | T37 | T47 | CUT | T66 | CUT | DNP |
| Tournament | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| The Masters | CUT | DNP |
| U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
DNP | T60 |
| 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 |
| PGA Championship PGA Championship The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship... |
DNP | DNP |
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins.
Quotes
- "There are probably a lot of other golfers who deserve it talent-wise to win this, but I can guarantee you that there is no one that'll appreciate it more than me." – On winning his first PGA tour event the 2004 Honda Classic.
- "I was trying to look around as much as I could to soak it all in, I've won tournaments around the world before, but nothing on a stage like this, so to be Open champion is very special." – On winning the 133rd Open Championship.