Mark O'Meara
Height: 6 ft. 0 in
Weight: 195 lbs
Birthday: 01/13/1957
College: Long Beach State University
Turned Pro: 1980
Birthplace: Goldsboro, North Carolina
Country: United States
Sponsor: Titleist
O’Meara had a successful amateur career. He was an All-American at Long Beach University. He captured the US Amateur Championship in 179 when he defeated John Cook. This was added to the California State Championship he had won earlier in the year. O’Meara turned pro in 1980. His first season on the PGA Tour was in 1981. He came close to winning in his rookie year after losing to Dave Eichelberger after a play-off at the Tallahassee Open. This was one of four top 10 finishes in his rookie season and he ended the year 56th on the money list.
O’Meara would lose in another play-off in 1983 before capturing his first Tour title in 1984 at the Greater Milwaukee Open where he finished five strokes ahead of Tom Watson. He would go on to win numerous times over the next few seasons. He won back to back AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Championships in 1989 and 1990. He lost play-offs in back to back seasons at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1991 and 1992. He won his fifth AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 1997.
O’Meara had the best year of his career in 1998. He won twice, both Major Championships. After shooting 68-67 on the weekend at the Masters, O’Meara captured the Green Jacket by a single stroke from Fred Couples and David Duval. This was his first Major win. He would go on to win the British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. A final round of 68 brought him to a play-off against fellow American Brian Watts, O’Meara defeated him by two strokes after a four hole play-off. He would reach number two in the World Rankings in 1998 and ended the year 7th on the money list and was named PGA Tour Player of the Year. He would not win again on Tour and has a tally of 16 PGA Tour wins.
Since joining the Champions Tour in 2007, O’Meara has won twice and has had a massive 15 runner-up finishes. O’Meara played in five Ryder Cups, being on the winning side on three occasions.
