The conclusion of a remarkable professional golf career is happening this weekend at Pebble Beach, where the Pure Insurance championship is being conducted.
Mark O’Meara, 67, is retiring from pro golf.
Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist
He is not a household golf name, but he was an extremely successful golfer. Want proof?
He won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Championship five times, in 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1997. In claiming that final crown at Pebble, O’Meara beat Tiger Woods and David Duval, who finished in a tie second place. To put a cherry on that cake, he captured the pro-am title at Pebble with his father, Bob O’Meara, in 1990.
It began for O’Meara in 1979 by winning the California State Amateur. He won a total of 16 PGA Tour titles and was a tournament champion on all continents where golf is played. Three times he took crowns on the European Tour, twice more on the Japan Tour, once on the Tour of Australia, and once in Argentina. You say that Africa is missing? He captured a partners event there with Nick Price.
OK, but did he have a big season? Well, nothing like a Tiger or Scottie Scheffler. That said, in 1998 he won the Masters and British Open and was inducted into the World Hall of Fame that year. It’s kind of like what Xander Schauffle has done in 2024.
In addition, he won the 2010 Senior Players Championship and has accumulated $14,325,371 in prize money.
It also should be noted that O’Meara made 444 cuts in 674 pro golf events. By today’s money standards, that would have computed to much more than the $14 million he made.
Not too shabby a career for a guy many golf fans have viewed as just another pro golfer.
*****
Maine Golf has a busy upcoming schedule.
The women have their match play championship Sept. 23-24 at Prout’s Neck, plus playdays Sept. 24 at Webhannet and Penobscot Valley. On the men’s side are play days Sept. 27 at Northeast Harbor and Kebo Valley.
Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 12th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.