Paul Azinger
Paul Azinger | |
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Personnel | |
Nation: | United States |
Nickname: | Zinger |
Career data | |
Professional since: | 1981 |
Current tour: | PGA TOUR |
Tournament wins: | 14th |
Major wins : | 1 (1993) |
Awards: | Ben Hogan Award (Golf Writers' Association of America, 1995) |
Paul William Azinger (born January 6, 1960 in Holyoke , Massachusetts ) is an American professional golfer of the PGA TOUR . He belongs to the circle of major winners.
Career
After attending Florida State University , Azinger became a professional golfer in 1981 . He had his best years on the PGA TOUR from 1987 to 1993, when he was able to achieve eleven tournament victories, at least one every season, and also his only major victory, the 1993 PGA Championship .
In 1994, Azinger was diagnosed with lymph node cancer in the right shoulder blade. With the help of chemotherapy , radiation and great willpower he was able to conquer the disease and in 1995 made a highly regarded comeback with a fourth place at the United Airlines Hawaiian Open Championships . He wrote a book about his battle with cancer called Zinger - his nickname in the tournament scene. In 2000, he won the Sony Open in Hawaii , his first recovery victory. Two years later he was called up for the fourth time in the American Ryder Cup team. In 2008 he led the US team as a non-playing captain to their first win since 1999.
Azinger gave the eulogy for his friend and famous golf colleague Payne Stewart , who died in an accident in 1999 .
He is married to his wife Toni. They have two children and live in Bradenton , Florida .
PGA Tour victories
- 1987 (3) Phoenix Open , Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational , Canon Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open
- 1988 (1) Hertz Bay Hill Classic
- 1989 (1) Canon Greater Hartford Open
- 1990 (1) MONY Tournament of Champions
- 1991 (1) AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
- 1992 (1) THE TOUR Championship
- 1993 (3) Memorial Tournament , New England Classic , PGA Championship
- 2000 (1) Sony Open in Hawaii
Major championships are in bold .
European Tour victories
- 1990 BMW International Open
- 1992 BMW International Open
Participation in team competitions
- Ryder Cup : 1989, 1991 (winner), 1993 (winner), 2002
- World Cup : 1989
- Presidents Cup : 1994 (vice-captain, winner), 2000 (winner)
See also
Web links
personal data | |
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SURNAME | Azinger, Paul |
ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Azinger, Paul William (full name) |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American golfer |
DATE OF BIRTH | January 6, 1960 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Holyoke , Massachusetts |