Woody Blackburn Explained

Woody Blackburn
Fullname:Woody T. Blackburn
Birth Date:July 26, 1951
Birth Place:Pikeville, Kentucky
Weight:195lb
Residence:Jacksonville, Florida
College:University of Florida
Yearpro:1975
Extour:PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Prowins:2
Pgawins:2
Masters:T47: 1985
Usopen:T45: 1982
Open:CUT: 1985
Pga:T40: 1985

Woody T. Blackburn (born July 26, 1951) is an American former professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s.

Blackburn was born in Pikeville, Kentucky. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Buster Bishop's Florida Gators men's golf team from 1972 to 1975.[1] Blackburn was a member of the Gators' 1973 Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship and NCAA Championship golf team, together with future fellow PGA Tour golfers Phil Hancock, Gary Koch and Andy Bean.[2] Blackburn was a second-team All-SEC selection and an All-American during the Gators' championship season.[3] [4] He graduated from Florida with bachelor's degree in journalism in 1973, and turned professional in 1975.

Blackburn's first win after turning pro came in 1976 at the Walt Disney World National Team Championship with playing partner Billy Kratzert.[5] He had a notably bad run of missing the cut in twenty of twenty-one tournaments and lost his PGA card in 1984, and was forced to requalify for the tour with the rookies.[6] His second PGA Tour win came at the 1985 Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open.[7] En route to his first and only individual PGA victory, Blackburn set the 54-hole scoring record at 18-under-par (198),[7] which Tiger Woods tied in 2008.[8] He also finished in a five-way tie for first at the 1981 Quad Cities Open, but lost in a playoff to Dave Barr.[9] His best finish in a major was a tie for fortieth at the 1985 PGA Championship.[10]

Blackburn currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Professional wins (2)

PGA Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Walt Disney World National Team Championship
(with Billy Kratzert)
−28 (63-68-63-66=260)Playoff Gay Brewer and Bobby Nichols
2Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open−19 (66-66-66-71=269)Playoff Ron Streck

PGA Tour playoff record (2–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11976Walt Disney World National Team Championship
(with Billy Kratzert)
Gay Brewer and Bobby NicholsWon with birdie on third extra hole
21981Quad Cities Open Dave Barr, Frank Conner,
Dan Halldorson, Victor Regalado
Barr won with par on eighth extra hole
Conner, Halldorson and Regalado eliminated by birdie on first hole
31985Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open Ron StreckWon with par on fourth extra hole

Results in major championships

Tournament197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988
Masters TournamentCUTT47
U.S. OpenT45CUTCUT
The Open ChampionshipCUT
PGA ChampionshipCUT73T40

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied

See also

Notes and References

  1. Florida Men's Golf 2011 Media Supplement, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 34, 37, 39, 41 (2010). Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  2. Robbie Andreu, " Top 25 Gator teams: #8 1973 Men's golf," Gainesville Sun (June 18, 2009). Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  3. GatorZone.com, Men's Golf, SEC Honors. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  4. 2008–09 Florida Gators Men's Golf Media Guide, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 36 (2008). Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  5. Associated Press, " Blackburn Grabs 1-Shot Lead in Milwaukee Open," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, p. 3C (September 14, 1984). Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  6. Associated Press, " Miserable playoff has happy ending," Boca Raton News, p. 3C (February 18, 1985). Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  7. Associated Press, " Blackburn Works Overtime At San Diego For 1st Win," Palm Beach Post, pp. 1C & 5C (February 18, 1985). Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  8. Associated Press, " Tiger Builds Lead to Eight at Torrey," Golf Channel (January 26, 2008). Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  9. Associated Press, " Barr Wins Quad Cities Open," Palm Beach Post, p. B7 (July 20, 1981). Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  10. Golf Major Championships, Players, Woody Blackburn. Retrieved April 20, 2010.