After a long and successful career in professional golf, Mark O’Meara has announced his retirement. The 2015 Golf Hall of Fame inductee made this revelation on Golf Channel just before this week’s Pure Insurance Championship on the PGA Tour Champions at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where he has enjoyed many of his greatest moments, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am five times. O’Meara is a 16-time PGA Tour winner and a two-time major champion, claiming victories at the Masters and Open Championship in 1998 as his final PGA Tour triumphs. Throughout his career, he participated in 674 events on the PGA Tour, making the cut 444 times and earning over $14 million in career earnings.
This week’s Pure Insurance Championship will mark O’Meara’s 284th start on the PGA Tour Champions, where he has three victories, with his last win coming in 2019. Additionally, he boasts one senior major title, the 2010 Senior Players Championship. O’Meara discovered his passion for golf at the age of 13 in Mission Viejo, California, and went on to become an All-American golfer at Long Beach State University before winning the U.S. Amateur in 1979. His first PGA Tour victory came in 1984 at the Greater Milwaukee Open, and in 1998, he secured his first major championship, the Masters at Augusta National. Later that same year, he added another major title to his resume by winning the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, making him one of just 16 golfers to claim two majors in one season.
Tiger Woods, another golf legend, played a significant role in O’Meara’s career, as the two developed a close relationship. Woods even had the honor of sliding the green jacket onto O’Meara’s shoulders after his 1997 victory at the Masters. O’Meara reached the second position in the Official World Golf Ranking in 1998 and accumulated a total of 34 professional victories throughout his career, including five European Tour wins, two on the Japan Golf Tour, and several others. His remarkable achievements led to him being named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1981 and PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1998.
As O’Meara bids farewell to professional golf, fans and colleagues reflect on his illustrious career through a collection of photos showcasing his memorable moments, such as being celebrated by fellow champions, earning major titles, and competing in prestigious tournaments like the Masters and the Open Championship. Despite facing personal challenges off the course, including divorce and remarriage, O’Meara persevered and continued to excel in his sport. His dedication and resilience have left a lasting impact on the world of golf, and his retirement marks the end of an era for one of the sport’s most revered figures.
