Corey Pavin: Ryder Cup Captain & U.S. Open Champion
Ask any golf fan what they know about Corey Pavin and they will likely
bring up at least two things: the famous 4-wood at
Shinnecock Hills in the 1995 U.S. Open that solidified his first major
win; and his connection to Ryder Cup lore through his memorable times
competing as a player (’91,’93,’95) and as a Captain (2010).
Corey Pavin: A dedicated and spirited competitor…
Corey was bestowed the nickname, Bulldog,
because of his fierce competitive attitude, which was evident at the early
age of 17 when he triumphed in both the Los Angeles City Amateur
Championship and the Junior World Championship. It has
aptly followed him throughout his illustrious career of 15 PGA Tour wins,
12 international victories, and his most recent victory, the 2012 Allianz
Championship on the Champions Tour.
Pavin grew up in California where he was recruited to
play collegiate golf for UCLA. While at UCLA, he earned
first-team All-American nods two times, and posted 11 victories; he was
named NCAA Player of the Year in 1982.
After turning pro in 1982, he spent most of his first
season playing outside the United States, winning three times, including
once on the European Tour as well as the South African PGA Championship.
Corey began his rookie year on the PGA Tour in 1984
after a successful Q-School in late 1983. He started
fast, winning the Houston Coca-Cola Open, and finishing 18th on
the money list overall. 1985 was even better, with the
first of five career Top-10 money list finishes. Corey
quickly established himself as a highly consistent player, but his best
seasons were 1991-96. In those six years, he finished
no lower than 18th on the money list and posted seven
victories. He was first on the money list in 1991,
fifth in 1992, eighth in 1994 and fourth in 1995. Corey
was so good that he earned the distinction of “the best player never to
win a major”, which he quickly left behind at Shinnecock Hills – the site
of his first major victory – the 1995 U.S. Open.
He entered the final round three strokes off the
lead. By the 71st hole, Corey had passed
Greg Norman and held a 1-stroke lead with one hole to play.
And on the 18th, he struck what has come to be regarded
as one of the best high-pressure shots of the 1990’s.
Corey striped a 4-wood from 228 yards onto the green; the ball stopped a
mere six feet from the cup. The victory and his legacy
were secure.
In 2009, Corey was chosen to Captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team. While the team came up just short on the last hole of the final match, Pavin calls the experience the highlight of his professional career and will forever be remembered as one of the Ryder Cup’s greatest competitors and ambassadors for the event.
