Chrysler Classic of Tucson
Tournament information
LocationTucson, Arizona
Established1945
Course(s)Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
(Catalina Course)[1]
Par72
Length7,193 yards (6,577 m)
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$3,000,000
Month playedFebruary
Final year2006
Tournament record score
Aggregate263 Lloyd Mangrum (1949)
263 Phil Rodgers (1962)
263 Johnny Miller (1975)
To par−25 Johnny Miller (1975)
Final champion
United States Kirk Triplett
Location Map
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort is located in the United States
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
Location in the United States
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort is located in Arizona
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort
Location in Arizona

The Tucson Open was a golf tournament in Arizona on the PGA Tour from 1945 to 2006, played annually in the winter in Tucson. It was last held at the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort in late February, with a $3 million purse and a $540,000 winner's share.[1]

History

Since the event's inception in 1945, it had been played at a series of courses in Tucson. The first eighteen editions were at El Rio Golf & Country Club, which was purchased by the city in 1968 and is now El Rio Golf Course. In 1963, the event moved to Forty Niner Country Club in 1963 for two years, then began its lengthy relationship with its last location, known at the time as Tucson National Golf Club, which hosted through 1978. It moved to Randolph Park Golf Course in 1979, returned to Tucson National in 1980, then back to Randolph Park for the next six.

From 1984 to 1986, the Tucson Open was contested at match play and was held concurrently with a Senior PGA Tour match play event, the Seiko-Tucson Senior Match Play Championship The 1986 event was played using a Medal match play format.

In 1987 and 1988 the event was played at the TPC at Starr Pass but was not held in 1989. When the event resumed in 1990, it was played at two courses each year from that year's event until 1996. One used every year was the TPC at Starr Pass (renamed Starr Pass Golf Club before the 1993 event). The TPC at Starr Pass shared time with Randolph Park in 1990; from 1991–96 the Tucson National GC was the other course used.

In 1997, the event changed to the more traditional format of 72 holes played at only one course, and has been played since that year at the renamed Omni Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa.

In later years, it was an alternate event, opposite the WGC Match Play championship, then held at La Costa in Carlsbad, California. Because the top 64 ranked players in the world are invited to the WGC event, it weakened the field considerably for Tucson. The match play tournament moved to Tucson in 2007 as a "merging" of sorts between the two tournaments, and stayed through 2014.

On the PGA Tour Champions, the Tucson Conquistadores Classic made its debut in 2015, and is held at the Omni Tucson National Resort in mid-March.

Tournament highlights

  • 1945: Ray Mangrum shoots a final round 64 to win the inaugural version of the tournament.[2]
  • 1947: Jimmy Demaret becomes the first Tucson champion to successfully defend a title. A final round 65 allows him to finish three shots ahead of Ben Hogan.[3]
  • 1949: Lloyd Mangrum shoots a tournament record 263. He wins by five shots over Al Smith.[4]
  • 1955: Tommy Bolt eagles the 72nd hole to successfully defend his Tucson Open title.[5]
  • 1959: Gene Littler wins for the second consecutive week on the PGA Tour. He finishes one shot ahead of Joe Campbell and Art Wall Jr.[6]
  • 1961: Controversial pro golfer Dave Hill wins for the first time on the PGA Tour. He defeats Tommy Bolt and Bud Sullivan on the third hole of a sudden death playoff.[7]
  • 1962: Phil Rodgers holes a wedge shot from 65-feet for eagle on the 72nd hole to edge Bud Sullivan by one shot.[8]
  • 1965: Only after deciding to play the tournament five minutes before its deadline for entries, New Zealand born Bob Charles makes Tucson his second ever win in the United States. He beats Al Geiberger by four shots.[9]
  • 1968: George Knudson wins for the second consecutive week on the PGA Tour. He finishes one shot ahead of Frank Beard and Frank Boynton.[10]
  • 1970: Lee Trevino successfully defends his Tucson Open title. He birdies the first hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Bob Murphy.[11]
  • 1974: Johnny Miller becomes the first ever golfer in PGA Tour history to win three consecutive tournaments to start the season. He shoots a first round 62 on his way to a three shot triumph over Ben Crenshaw.[12]
  • 1975: Tom Weiskopf misses the 36 hole cut with scores of 70 and 78. Afterwards tournament director Biff Baker made a telephone complaint to PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman accusing Weiskopf of backhanding putts and not playing in a professional manner.[13] Weiskopf denied the allegations by saying "All they have to do is ask my playing partners."[14]
  • 1976: Johnny Miller wins at Tucson for the third consecutive year. He finishes three shots ahead of Howard Twitty.[15]
  • 1977: Bruce Lietzke earns the first of his thirteen career PGA Tour wins by defeating Gene Littler on the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff.[16]
  • 1980: Poor weather causes the tournament to finish on a Tuesday. Jim Colbert is the winner by four shots over Dan Halldorson.[17]
  • 1981: Johnny Miller wins Tucson for the fourth time. He shoots a final round 65 to finish two shots ahead of Lon Hinkle.[18]
  • 1984: For the first of three consecutive years, Tucson is conducted as a match play event. Tom Watson wins by defeating defending champion Gil Morgan in the finals by the score of 2 and 1.[19]
  • 1986: Defending champion Jim Thorpe wins the last match play edition of Tucson. He defeats Scott Simpson 67 to 71 in the finals.[20]
  • 1990: Robert Gamez wins on the PGA Tour in his first ever event. He finishes four shots ahead of Mark Calcavecchia and Jay Haas.[21] During the tournament's second round, 1988 Tucson champion David Frost, becomes the first PGA Tour player in 33 years to shoot a 60.[22]
  • 1991: Twenty-year-old amateur Phil Mickelson birdies the 72nd hole to win by one shot over Bob Tway and Tom Purtzer. Purtzer made double bogey on the tournament's final hole.[23] Hal Sutton hits a six-iron for his second shot on the 9th hole directly at the green. The ball slammed into the cup without touching the green and embedded itself in the lip of the hole. Since part of the ball remained above the level of the hole, it was ruled that Sutton had not holed out. He had to replace the ball and putt it in for a birdie.[24]
  • 1992: Future two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen collects his first ever PGA Tour title. He edges Bill Britton by one shot.[25]
  • 1995: Phil Mickelson wins his second Tucson title by one shot over Jim Gallagher Jr. and Scott Simpson after Gallagher three putts the 72nd hole.[26]
  • 1997: Jeff Sluman earns his first PGA Tour title since the 1988 PGA Championship. He wins by one shot over Steve Jones.[27]
  • 2000: After playing in 292 PGA Tour events, Jim Carter finally reaches the winner's circle. He finishes two shots ahead of Jean van de Velde, Chris DiMarco, and Tom Scherrer.[28]
  • 2001: Like Robert Gamez did at the 1990 Tucson, Garrett Willis wins on the PGA Tour in his first ever event. He wins by one shot over Kevin Sutherland.[29]
  • 2005: Future U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy notches his first ever PGA Tour win. He defeats Mark Calcavecchia and Kevin Na in a sudden death playoff.[30]

Winners

YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)
Chrysler Classic of Tucson
2006United States Kirk Triplett266−221 strokeUnited States Jerry Kelly540,000
2005Australia Geoff Ogilvy269−19PlayoffUnited States Mark Calcavecchia
United States Kevin Na
540,000
2004United States Heath Slocum266−221 strokeAustralia Aaron Baddeley540,000
2003United States Frank Lickliter269−192 strokesUnited States Chad Campbell540,000
Touchstone Energy Tucson Open
2002Canada Ian Leggatt268−202 strokesUnited States David Peoples
United States Loren Roberts
540,000
2001United States Garrett Willis273−151 strokeUnited States Kevin Sutherland540,000
2000United States Jim Carter269−192 strokesUnited States Chris DiMarco
United States Tom Scherrer
France Jean van de Velde
540,000
1999Sweden Gabriel Hjertstedt276−12PlayoffUnited States Tommy Armour III495,000
Tucson Chrysler Classic
1998United States David Duval269−194 strokesUnited States Justin Leonard
United States David Toms
360,000
1997United States Jeff Sluman275−131 strokeUnited States Steve Jones234,000
Nortel Open
1996United States Phil Mickelson (3)273−142 strokesUnited States Bob Tway225,000
Northern Telecom Open
1995United States Phil Mickelson (2)269−191 strokeUnited States Jim Gallagher Jr.
United States Scott Simpson
225,000
1994United States Andrew Magee270−182 strokesUnited States Jay Don Blake
United States Loren Roberts
Fiji Vijay Singh
United States Steve Stricker
198,000
1993United States Larry Mize271−172 strokesUnited States Jeff Maggert198,000
1992United States Lee Janzen270−181 strokeUnited States Bill Britton198,000
1991United States Phil Mickelson (a)272−161 strokeUnited States Tom Purtzer
United States Bob Tway
180,000
Northern Telecom Tucson Open
1990United States Robert Gamez270−184 strokesUnited States Mark Calcavecchia
United States Jay Haas
162,000
1989: No tournament
1988South Africa David Frost266−225 strokesUnited States Mark Calcavecchia
United States Mark O'Meara
108,000
Seiko Tucson Open
1987United States Mike Reid268−204 strokesUnited States Chip Beck
United States Mark Calcavecchia
United States Hal Sutton
United States Fuzzy Zoeller
108,000
Seiko-Tucson Match Play Championship
1986United States Jim Thorpe (2)67−54 strokesUnited States Scott Simpson150,000
1985United States Jim Thorpe4 and 3United States Jack Renner150,000
1984United States Tom Watson (2)2 and 1United States Gil Morgan100,000
Joe Garagiola-Tucson Open
1983United States Gil Morgan271−9PlayoffUnited States Curtis Strange
United States Lanny Wadkins
54,000
1982United States Craig Stadler266−143 strokesUnited States Vance Heafner
United States John Mahaffey
54,000
1981United States Johnny Miller (4)265−152 strokesUnited States Lon Hinkle54,000
1980United States Jim Colbert270−224 strokesCanada Dan Halldorson54,000
1979United States Bruce Lietzke (2)265−152 strokesUnited States Buddy Gardner
United States Jim Thorpe
United States Tom Watson
45,000
1978United States Tom Watson274−143 strokesUnited States Bobby Wadkins40,000
1977United States Bruce Lietzke275−13PlayoffUnited States Gene Littler40,000
NBC Tucson Open
1976United States Johnny Miller (3)274−143 strokesUnited States Howard Twitty40,000
Dean Martin Tucson Open
1975United States Johnny Miller (2)263−259 strokesUnited States John Mahaffey40,000
1974United States Johnny Miller272−163 strokesUnited States Ben Crenshaw30,000
1973Australia Bruce Crampton277−115 strokesUnited States George Archer
United States Gay Brewer
United States Labron Harris Jr.
United States Bobby Nichols
30,000
1972United States Miller Barber273−15PlayoffUnited States George Archer30,000
Tucson Open Invitational
1971United States J. C. Snead273−151 strokeUnited States Dale Douglass22,000
1970United States Lee Trevino (2)275−13PlayoffUnited States Bob Murphy20,000
1969United States Lee Trevino271−177 strokesUnited States Miller Barber20,000
1968Canada George Knudson273−151 strokeUnited States Frank Beard
United States Frank Boynton
20,000
1967United States Arnold Palmer273−151 strokeUnited States Chuck Courtney12,000
1966United States Joe Campbell278−10PlayoffUnited States Gene Littler9,000
1965New Zealand Bob Charles271−174 strokesUnited States Al Geiberger6,800
1964United States Jacky Cupit274−142 strokesUnited States Rex Baxter4,000
1963United States Don January266−2211 strokesUnited States Gene Littler
United States Phil Rodgers
3,500
1962United States Phil Rodgers263−173 strokesAustralia Jim Ferrier2,800
Home of the Sun Open
1961United States Dave Hill269−11PlayoffUnited States Tommy Bolt
United States Bud Sullivan
2,800
Tucson Open Invitational
1960United States Don January271−93 strokesUnited States Bob Harris2,800
1959United States Gene Littler266−141 strokeUnited States Joe Campbell
United States Art Wall Jr.
1958United States Lionel Hebert265−152 strokesUnited States Don January
1957United States Dow Finsterwald269−11PlayoffUnited States Don Whitt
1956United States Ted Kroll264−163 strokesUnited States Dow Finsterwald
Tucson Open
1955United States Tommy Bolt (2)266−143 strokesUnited States Bud Holscher
United States Art Wall Jr.
1954: No tournament
1953United States Tommy Bolt265−151 strokeUnited States Chandler Harper
1952United States Henry Williams, Jr.274−62 strokesUnited States Cary Middlecoff
1951United States Lloyd Mangrum (2)269−112 strokesUnited States Jack Burke Jr.
United States Jim Turnesa
United States Lew Worsham
1950United States Chandler Harper267−132 strokesUnited States Sam Snead
1949United States Lloyd Mangrum263−175 strokesUnited States Al Smith
1948United States Skip Alexander264−161 strokeUnited States Johnny Palmer
1947United States Jimmy Demaret (2)264−163 strokesUnited States Ben Hogan
1946United States Jimmy Demaret268−124 strokesUnited States Herman Barron
1945United States Ray Mangrum268−121 strokeUnited States Byron Nelson

Multiple winners

Nine men won this tournament more than once.

References

  1. 1 2 Korte, Tim (February 27, 2006). "Chrysler surprise". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. C2.
  2. "Mangrum Winner Of Tucson Golf". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania. UP. January 22, 1945. p. 17.
  3. "Tucson Open Won By Jimmy Demaret". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. UP. February 3, 1947. p. 5.
  4. "Mangrum Breaks Tucson Record". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania. UP. February 7, 1949. p. 21.
  5. "Tommy Bolt Wins Tucson Open Golf". Lodi News-Sentinel. California. UP. February 14, 1955. p. 8.
  6. "Gene Littler Wins Tucson Open". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania. AP. February 16, 1959. p. 18.
  7. "Tucson Won By Dave Hill". Middlesboro Daily News. Kentucky. UPI. February 20, 1961. p. 14.
  8. Sinclair, Murray (February 19, 1962). "Phil Rodgers Wins Tucson". The Gettysburg Times. Pennsylvania. AP. p. 4.
  9. Eger, Bob (February 22, 1965). "Charles Tops Field At Tucson". Ellensburg Daily Record. Washington. AP. p. 5.
  10. "Knudson In Charge To Tucson Win". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Florida. AP. February 26, 1968. p. 17.
  11. "Murphy Second In Tucson Open". The News-Dispatch. Jeannette, Pennsylvania. UPI. February 16, 1970. p. 10.
  12. "Miller Wins At Tucson With Ben Crenshaw Second". The Bonham Daily Favorite. Texas. UPI. January 21, 1974. p. 6.
  13. "Tucson golf director unhappy with Weiskopf". The Gadsden Times. Alabama. AP. January 19, 1975. p. 40.
  14. "Weiskopf Denies Not Trying Best". The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. AP. January 20, 1975. p. 2-C.
  15. "Miller Wins Tucson Open For 3rd Time". Ludington Daily News. Michigan. UPI. January 12, 1976. p. 6.
  16. Sargis, Joe (January 17, 1977). "First tour win for Bruce Lietzke". Beaver County Times. Pennsylvania. UPI. p. B-2.
  17. "Colbert Wins At Tucson". The Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. AP. February 20, 1980. p. 15.
  18. "Johnny Miller Wins Tucson". Waycross Journal-Herald. Georgia. AP. January 12, 1981. p. P-7.
  19. "In a 'dull match', Watson takestitle". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. AP. January 9, 1984. p. 2B.
  20. "Thorpe Captures Match-Play Event". The New York Times. AP. November 3, 1986.
  21. "Rookie Robert Gamez Tucson Open winner". The Vindicator. Youngstown, Ohio. AP. January 15, 1990. p. 14.
  22. "Super 12-under puts Frost on par". New Sunday Times. Malaysia. January 14, 1990. p. 18.
  23. Green, Bob (January 14, 1991). "Mickelson wins as amateur in Tucson Open". The Prescott Courier. Arizona. AP. p. 6A.
  24. Zullo, Allan (2001). Astonishing but True Golf Facts. Andrew McMeel Publishing. ISBN 9780740714269.
  25. "Janzen stays cool in Tucson". The Milwaukee Journal. Wisconsin. AP. February 17, 1992. p. C6.
  26. "Mickelson captures Tucson Open by one". Manila Standard. Philippines. January 22, 1995. p. 25.
  27. "Despite bogey on 18th, Jeff Sluman captures Tucson Open". Kingman Daily Miner. Arizona. AP. February 24, 1997. p. 6.
  28. "First-time winner takes Tucson Open". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, South Carolina. AP. February 28, 2000. p. B2.
  29. "Willis comes of age in Tucson". BBC Sport. January 16, 2001.
  30. Clayton, Michael (March 1, 2005). "Ogilvy wins US playoff". The Age. Melbourne, Australia.

32°21′29″N 111°01′23″W / 32.358°N 111.023°W / 32.358; -111.023

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