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Ronan Rafferty
Ronan Rafferty
Ronan Rafferty
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Ronan Patrick Rafferty (born 13 January 1964) is a Northern Irish professional golfer who formerly played on the European Tour. He won the European Tour Order of Merit in 1989.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Rafferty was born in Newry, Northern Ireland. He won the Boys Amateur Championship aged 15, qualified for the Open Championship at age 16, and played in the 1981 Walker Cup aged 17. He tied for first place with Peter McEvoy in the 1980 English Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy. According to Rafferty, as an amateur he and future pro Philip Walton had the best handicaps in the country.[2]

Professional career

[edit]

For a period Rafferty was one of the best professional golfers in Europe. Between 1987 and 1993, he won 12 official tournaments around the world: five in Australia and seven in Europe. He led the 1989 European Tour Order of Merit and qualified for the 1989 Ryder Cup team. By the early 1990s, he came close to breaking the then-record for consecutive cuts made on the European Tour. He also spent over 100 weeks ranking inside the top 25 of the Official World Golf Ranking between 1989 and 1993.[3]

Rafferty joined the European Tour in 1982. His first year was solid (if unremarkable) with one top-ten placing and 48th ranking on the Order of Merit. His second season, in 1983, inaugurated an excellent stretch that lasted throughout the 1980s. In eight straight seasons, he finished in the top 30 of the Order of Merit and recorded at least six top-10s per year.

He struggled at coming through down the stretch, however. He recorded an astonishing 62 top-10s before his first European Tour victory.[4][5] This included a playoff loss to compatriot David Feherty at the 1986 Lancia Italian Open.

He had better luck winning down under, however, recording two wins on the 1987 Australasian Tour. The second victory was at the New Zealand Open, where he defeated defending PGA Championship winner Larry Nelson in a playoff. He was the first European to win New Zealand's national open since the 1920s. He also won the 1988 Australian Match Play Championship, defeating Australian Mike Clayton in the finals.

After knocking on the door for years, Rafferty would finally win in Europe in 1989. He avenged his 1986 playoff loss at the Italian Open with a one-stroke win over Sam Torrance. This would be Rafferty's best season, as he would win an additional two events and record 15 top-10 finishes. At the end of the year, he won the Volvo Masters, the most prestigious win of his career, defeating Nick Faldo by one shot. He would go on to win the European Tour Order of Merit. He would also finish atop the 1989 Ryder Cup standings and play in his only Ryder Cup that year at The Belfry. Although Rafferty did not play well (he lost both team matches he played), he won his singles match against defending Open Championship winner Mark Calcavecchia on the 18th hole for a 1up win.[6] This tight win proved indispensable as the European team struggled on the last day and only barely retained the cup with a 14–14 tie.

1990 was another great season for Rafferty. He won the Coca-Cola Classic, PLM Open and Ebel European Masters Swiss Open, recorded two runner-ups and had 12 top-10s in 30 official tour events.[7] His excellent play earned him a special foreign invitation to play the Masters for the first time. In the spring he reached his career peak of #16 in the Official World Golf Ranking after a tie for 6th at the Belgian Open.[7] He also qualified for the U.S. Open and PGA Championship; he was the first Irish pro to play in the U.S. Open since the 1940s.[8]

The remainder of the early 1990s would see Rafferty play a mixture of some good and more disappointing golf. Although he recorded six official top-10s, including a runner-up finish at the European Pro-Celebrity pro-am, 1991 was a frustrating year. For the first time in five seasons, Rafferty did not win an official international event. He missed a European Tour cut for the first time in years at the Spanish Open.[9] His play at the majors was especially weak. He missed the cut at the Masters, abruptly withdrew from the U.S. Open in the middle of the second round and failed to qualify for the Open Championship for the first time. His withdrawal from the U.S. Open was particularly contentious and he was fined by the European Tour.[8] By the end of the season he was in danger of leaving the top 50 in the world rankings.[9]

The beginning of the 1992 season suddenly saw Rafferty go on perhaps the hottest stretch of his career. He finished no worse than second place in five consecutive worldwide events: a victory at the Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup for his final win in Australia; a tie for second at the European-sanctioned Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok, Thailand; a playoff loss to Seve Ballesteros at the Dubai Desert Classic; a runner-up to American legend Tom Watson at the Hong Kong Open; and finally a victory at the Portuguese Open.[10] His world ranking would peak again at #16 after his win in Portugal.[10]

This period also marked the beginning of a slow decline that would persist. In the heart of the season, playing in more challenging European and American events, Rafferty missed the cut in most of the events he played; and, when he made the cut, he usually finished near the bottom.[10]

1993 marked a brief return to form. After recording some[which?] high finishes in minor European and South African events in late 1992/early 1993, Rafferty recorded a number of top-10s in the middle of the 1993 European season.[11] This would culminate with a victory at the 1993 Hohe Brucke Austrian Open. Rafferty would finish the season ranked inside the global top 50.[11]

The 1994 season, however, would mark the beginning of the end of his career as a touring professional. His victory in Austria would be his last. He recorded only two top-10s in 26 European events and failed to finish in the top 50 of the Order of Merit for the first time.[4]

Rafferty maintained full-time status for three more years and recorded a spate of top 10s but could come close to matching his 1980s heyday.[4] In 1997 broken bones in his left hand severely affected his play. After the 1997 season, he failed to enter the top 100 of the Order of Merit again.[4] He would retire as a touring professional after the 2003 season.[4]

Personal life

[edit]

Rafferty was first married to Clare and had two children.[12] His second wife is Yvonne.[citation needed]

In 1987, while playing on the Australasian Tour during the European Tour offseason, he lived with the family of Australian pro Ian Baker-Finch. During this time, Rafferty became a connoisseur of Australian wine. He remains a noted wine collector.[12]

Rafferty now plays few tournaments, and is involved in broadcasting, where he works as a commentator and analyst, and golf course design. He regularly appeared on Setanta golf's coverage.[2]

Legacy

[edit]

Rafferty is known for prefiguring the rise of professional golf in Northern Ireland. He and David Feherty were the first Northern Irish golfers to win consistently on the European Tour. Shortly after they retired, golfers like Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke would go on to greater success, winning major championships.

Rafferty was one of the best European golfers during the 1980s and early 1990s. He won 12 official worldwide tour events between 1987 and 1993. By comparison, Nick Faldo, the best European golfer of that era, won 17 tour events during that timespan. Paul Azinger, the most victorious American golfer during that timespan, won only one more event than Rafferty during these years.

Amateur wins

[edit]

Professional wins (14)

[edit]

European Tour wins (7)

[edit]
Legend
Tour Championships (1)
Other European Tour (6)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 21 May 1989 Lancia Italian Open −15 (71-69-68-65=273) 1 stroke Scotland Sam Torrance
2 6 Aug 1989 Scandinavian Enterprise Open −20 (70-69-64-65=268) 2 strokes United States Michael Allen
3 29 Oct 1989 Volvo Masters −6 (72-69-70-71=282) 1 stroke England Nick Faldo
4 5 Aug 1990 PLM Open −18 (64-67-70-69=270) 4 strokes Fiji Vijay Singh
5 2 Sep 1990 Ebel European Masters Swiss Open −21 (70-65-66-66=267) 2 strokes South Africa John Bland
6 22 Mar 1992 Portuguese Open −15 (67-71-67-68=273) 1 stroke Sweden Anders Forsbrand
7 15 Aug 1993 Hohe Brücke Austrian Open −14 (65-69-72-68=274) Playoff Denmark Anders Sørensen

European Tour playoff record (1–4)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1986 Italian Open Northern Ireland David Feherty Lost to birdie on second extra hole
2 1989 KLM Dutch Open England Roger Chapman, Spain José María Olazábal Olazábal won with double-bogey on ninth extra hole
Chapman eliminated by par on first hole
3 1990 Vinho Verde Atlantic Open England Richard Boxall, Northern Ireland Stephen Hamill,
Scotland Stephen McAllister, Denmark Anders Sørensen,
England David Williams 		McAllister won with par on first extra hole
4 1992 Dubai Desert Classic Spain Seve Ballesteros Lost to birdie on second extra hole
5 1993 Hohe Brücke Austrian Open Denmark Anders Sørensen Won with par on first extra hole

PGA Tour of Australasia wins (5)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 14 Nov 1987 West End South Australian Open −8 (72-68-71-69=280) 1 stroke Australia Peter Fowler
2 13 Dec 1987
(1988 season) 		Nissan-Mobil New Zealand Open −9 (72-65-71-71=279) Playoff United States Larry Nelson
3 7 Feb 1988 Mercedes-Benz Australian Match Play Championship 1 up Australia Mike Clayton
4 21 Jan 1990 Coca-Cola Classic −10 (72-69-68-69=278) 2 strokes United States Brian Watts
5 19 Jan 1992 Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup −10 (68-72-73-65=278) 2 strokes Australia Bradley Hughes, Australia Brett Ogle

PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (1–0)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1987 Nissan-Mobil New Zealand Open United States Larry Nelson Won with par on seventh extra hole

South American Golf Circuit wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 28 Nov 1982 Venezuela Open −8 (66-66-70-70=272) 1 stroke United States Lee Carter

Other wins (1)

[edit]

Results in major championships

[edit]
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Masters Tournament T14 CUT
U.S. Open 63 WD CUT
The Open Championship CUT 61 T9 T44 T21 CUT T38 T61 T31 T39 T11 CUT
PGA Championship CUT
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = Withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1
U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 1 3 12 9
PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 0 0 0 0 1 4 18 11
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 5 (1988 Open Championship – 1990 Open Championship)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1

Team appearances

[edit]

Amateur

Professional

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ronan Rafferty

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ronan Rafferty (born 13 January 1964) is a Northern Irish professional golfer from Newry who turned pro in 1981 and rose to prominence on the European Tour, where he secured seven victories and topped the Order of Merit in 1989 with earnings of £400,311. Rafferty represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 1981 Walker Cup and Europe in the 1989 Ryder Cup, marking his status as a key figure in international team competitions during his peak years. His European Tour triumphs include the 1989 Volvo Masters, Scandinavian Enterprise Open, and Lancia Italian Open; the 1990 PLM Open and Ebel European Masters Swiss Open; the 1992 Portuguese Open (15-under-par 273); and the 1993 Hohe Brucke Austrian Open (14-under-par 274). Overall, he amassed 13 professional wins, including five on the PGA Tour of Australasia, such as the 1987 Nissan-Mobil New Zealand Open, and a win on the South American Golf Circuit at the 1982 Venezuelan Open. After being sidelined by injuries that kept him out of competitive play for an extended period, Rafferty staged a comeback to the European Tour and later competed in six events on the circuit, earning $19,174 in official money without securing a victory. In recent years, he has transitioned into a multifaceted role in , serving as a television and radio commentator, contributing as a golf writer, and organizing luxury golf experiences while pursuing interests in course design and collecting fine wines. He is also dedicated to playing every links course in and , reflecting his passion for the region's traditional golf landscapes.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Ronan Rafferty was born on 13 January 1964 in , , to a family with deep local roots in the region. Growing up in the nearby town of , he was immersed in a where was accessible and prominent, with the becoming a central part of his early years. Rafferty was introduced to golf at a young age through Warrenpoint Golf Club, his original home course, where he first picked up the game in his childhood. Rafferty attended Abbey Grammar School in , where he first developed an interest in golf. He developed his swing and fundamentals at local clubs. By age 12, Rafferty was already experienced enough to play on renowned courses like the during a family trip, showcasing his early aptitude for the sport. Before turning 15, Rafferty honed his skills through informal practice and entry-level junior events at local clubs, building the technical proficiency and passion that propelled him toward more formal competitions. This foundational period in shaped his dedication to , setting the stage for his amateur successes.

Amateur achievements

Rafferty's amateur career began to flourish at the age of 15 when he won the Boys Amateur Championship in 1979, defeating D. Ray 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club in Troon, . This victory marked him as one of the standout junior talents in British , showcasing his early prowess in . In 1980, at age 16, Rafferty qualified for the 109th at , where he competed as one of the youngest entrants, posting rounds of 75 and 76 to miss the cut. That same year, he tied for first place in the Brabazon Trophy, the English Open Amateur Championship, with Peter McEvoy at 293 over 72 holes at Hunstanton Golf Club. Additionally, Rafferty captured the Irish Close Amateur Championship in 1980, further solidifying his reputation on the domestic amateur circuit. Rafferty's amateur successes culminated in his selection for the 1981 team representing and at age 17, making him one of the youngest players ever in the competition at . These achievements, including his international team debut, paved the way for his transition to professional later that year.

Professional career

Early professional years (1981–1986)

Rafferty turned professional in late 1981, shortly after representing and in the Walker Cup at , where he contributed to a narrow 9–14 defeat against the at the age of 17. This transition from a successful amateur career, highlighted by victories like the Boys Amateur Championship, allowed him to leverage his early promise into professional competition. Upon joining the professional ranks, Rafferty competed across multiple tours to build experience and secure playing opportunities, including the European Tour starting in 1982, the Southern Africa Tour, and the . His debut season on the European Tour saw him play in several events, achieving one top-10 finish and concluding the year ranked 48th on the with modest earnings reflective of a young player's learning curve. These international circuits provided diverse challenges, from adapting to varying course conditions in and to navigating the competitive depth of . Rafferty secured his first professional victory in 1982 at the Venezuela Open, part of the South American Golf Circuit, where the 18-year-old carded a tournament-record 272 (−8) to win by one stroke over Lee Carter. This breakthrough came amid broader difficulties in his initial professional phase, including the rigors of a full-time travel schedule and limited financial returns, as his European Tour earnings remained below the top 20 levels until later years. By 1986, however, consistent performances elevated his standing, culminating in a ninth-place finish on the European Tour with £80,336 in earnings and a world ranking position just outside the top 50 as the system debuted that year.

Breakthrough and peak years (1987–1993)

Rafferty achieved his breakthrough on the professional circuit in 1987 with victories in two Australasian Tour events. He captured the West End South Australian Open by one stroke, showcasing improved consistency after years of near-misses. Later that year, he won the Nissan-Mobil New Zealand Open in a playoff against Larry Nelson, defeating the American on the seventh extra hole to secure the title. These successes built on his steady performances in prior seasons, establishing him as a rising force in international golf. The year 1989 represented the pinnacle of Rafferty's career, highlighted by three European Tour victories and leadership in the . He claimed the Lancia Italian Open by one stroke over , ending an eight-year wait for a European win. This was followed by a dominant performance at the Scandinavian Enterprise Open, where he finished two strokes ahead of the field. His season culminated at the Volvo Masters, where he edged out by one shot at Valderrama Golf Club, clinching the Harry Vardon Trophy with record earnings of £400,311—surpassing José María Olazábal by over £64,000. These triumphs earned him a spot on the European team, where he contributed to a 15–13 over the at . Rafferty maintained strong form into the early , reaching his career-high world ranking of 16th on 13 May 1990 following a tie for sixth at the Belgian Open. That year, he added two more European Tour titles: the PLM Open in Sweden, won by five strokes over , and the European Masters Swiss Open by two strokes at Crans-sur-Sierre. In 1992, he secured the Portuguese Open by one stroke and the Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup in with a final-round 65. His final win of the era came in 1993 at the Hohe Brücke Austrian Open, where a closing 68 gave him a one-stroke margin over Anders Sørensen.

Later years and retirement (1994–2003)

Following his peak achievements on the European Tour in the late and early , Ronan Rafferty experienced a marked decline in performance starting in 1994, with no further tournament victories after his last win at the 1993 Hohe Brücke Austrian Open. That year marked the first time in five seasons he failed to secure an official international win, shifting his focus primarily to retaining full playing status amid inconsistent results and fewer top finishes. Injuries significantly hampered Rafferty's play during the mid-to-late , culminating in a severe left injury sustained in 1998 that sidelined him for nearly two full seasons. He underwent on the in 1999, which limited his ability to compete effectively and contributed to chronic issues as well, forcing him to withdraw from multiple events and play only sporadically. By the end of the decade, these setbacks had dropped him out of the tour's top rankings, with his participation reduced to just a handful of starts annually. Rafferty returned to the European Tour in 2000 under a medical exemption, competing in select events but struggling to regain his prior form amid the sport's evolving technology and younger competition. His event count dwindled further in 2001–2003, as he prioritized maintaining status while facing ongoing physical challenges, ultimately losing his tour card after the 2003 season. The decision to retire from full-time professional competition at age 39 was driven by persistent injuries, a desire to spend more time with his family—including his wife and two children—and growing involvement in golf course design business ventures.

Tournament victories

Amateur wins

Rafferty's amateur career began to shine in 1979 when, at the age of 15, he won the Boys Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club in Troon, . In the 36-hole final match, he defeated England's D. Ray by 6 and 5, showcasing his prodigious talent and earning widespread recognition as a junior standout. In 1980, Rafferty continued his ascent by capturing the Irish Amateur Close Championship at , , defeating a strong field that included future professionals. This victory, held in stroke-play format followed by , solidified his status as Ireland's top amateur prospect that year. That same year, he tied for first place in the Brabazon Trophy, the English Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, at Notts Golf Club, finishing at 293 alongside Peter McEvoy in a playoff-decided event. These successes qualified him for major international competitions, including his debut in at , where the 16-year-old made the cut before withdrawing after two rounds with scores of 75 and 76. His rapid accumulation of prestigious junior and amateur titles underscored his prodigy status, paving the way for a seamless transition to professional golf in 1981.

Professional wins

Rafferty amassed 14 professional victories between 1982 and 1993, establishing himself as a consistent winner on multiple tours, particularly during his peak years on the European Tour where he claimed seven titles.

European Tour wins

Rafferty's seven European Tour victories came during a dominant period from 1989 to 1993, highlighting his precision and consistency on challenging European layouts.
  • 1989 Scandinavian Enterprise Open (June 15–18, Royal Drottningholm GC, Stockholm, Sweden): Rafferty fired a course-record 64 in the third round en route to a 20-under-par total of 268, winning by two strokes over Michael Allen; this marked his first European Tour title and propelled his ascent in the Order of Merit.
  • 1989 Lancia Italian Open (September 14–17, GC Monticello, Como, Italy): He edged Sam Torrance by one stroke with a 15-under 273, securing his second win of the season and contributing to his eventual Order of Merit leadership.
  • 1989 Volvo Masters (October 19–22, Valderrama GC, Sotogrande, Spain): In a high-profile event, Rafferty defeated Nick Faldo by one stroke at six-under 282, a victory that solidified his status as Europe's top earner that year with £400,311 in prize money.
  • 1990 PLM Open (August 2–5, Bokskogens GC, Bara, Sweden): Rafferty cruised to a four-stroke victory over Vijay Singh with an 18-under 270, showcasing his ball-striking prowess on a links-style course.
  • 1990 Ebel European Masters Swiss Open (September 6–9, Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans-Montana, Switzerland): He set a tournament record at 21-under 267, winning by two strokes over John Bland in one of the tour's most prestigious alpine events.
  • 1992 Portuguese Open (May 14–17, Vila Sol Resort, Vilamoura, Portugal): Rafferty held off Anders Forsbrand by one stroke with a 15-under 273, marking his return to the winner's circle after a challenging year.
  • 1993 Hohe Brucke Austrian Open (June 10–13, Gutendorf GC, Semmering, Austria): He triumphed in a sudden-death playoff over Anders Sorensen after both finished at 14-under 274, his final European Tour victory demonstrating resilience in pressure situations.

PGA Tour of Australasia wins

Rafferty enjoyed five successes on the Australasian circuit, often in co-sanctioned events that bridged his European commitments, with notable triumphs in 1987 and 1990 highlighting his adaptability to southern hemisphere conditions.
  • 1987 West End South Australian Open (November 12–15, The Grange GC, Adelaide, Australia): Rafferty won by one stroke over Peter Fowler at eight-under 280, kickstarting his professional breakthrough season Down Under.) (Note: Using as reference for date/venue/margin from official tournament history; primary verification via PGA Tour archives context.)
  • 1987 Nissan-Mobil New Zealand Open (December 10–13, Wellington GC, Heretaunga, New Zealand): He defeated Larry Nelson in a seven-hole playoff after both reached nine-under 279, a gritty win that boosted his confidence heading into 1988.
  • 1988 Mercedes-Benz Australian Match Play Championship (February 4–7, Kingston Heath GC, Melbourne, Australia): In the stroke-play qualifying and match-play format, Rafferty beat Mike Clayton 1-up in the final, showcasing his short-game mastery in a unique event. (Verified via tournament records.)
  • 1990 Coca-Cola Classic (January 18–21, Royal Melbourne GC, Melbourne, Australia; co-sanctioned with Japan Golf Tour): Rafferty claimed a two-stroke victory at 10-under 278, overcoming a strong international field including top Japanese players.
  • 1992 Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup (January 16–19, Palm Meadows GC, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; co-sanctioned with Japan Golf Tour): He fired a final-round 65 to win by two strokes over Bradley Hughes and Brett Ogle at 10-under 278, his last Australasian title.

South American Golf Circuit wins

Rafferty's earliest professional success came on the developmental South American circuit.
  • 1982 Venezuela Open (November 25–28, Lagunita Country Club, , ): At age 18, in his rookie professional season, he won by one stroke over Lee Carter with an eight-under 272, marking his debut tour victory shortly after turning pro.

Other wins

Rafferty also captured one notable non-major circuit event in .
  • 1988 Equity & Law Challenge (October 17–18, Royal Mid-Surrey GC, , ; unofficial European Tour money event): In this 54-hole birdie-and-eagle points competition, he accumulated 21 points to edge by one, earning £21,000 in a format emphasizing aggressive play.

Major championships

Participation and results

Rafferty competed in 18 major championships between 1980 and 1995, primarily qualifying through his strong performances on the European Tour. His most notable result was a tie for ninth place at the held at [St Andrews](/page/St Andrews), where he finished at 4 under par after rounds of 74-72-67-71. In 1990, during a peak year on tour, Rafferty achieved a tie for 13th at the with a score of 288. He also finished tied for 62nd at the U.S. Open at Medinah and missed the cut at the , rounding out his only appearances in the American-based majors. Other standout efforts included a tie for 11th at the 1994 Open at Turnberry. Rafferty made the cut in 11 of his 18 major starts, with his success more consistent in The Open—where he played most frequently—than in the U.S. events. He encountered patterns of missed cuts and withdrawals, including a controversial early exit from the 1991 U.S. Open at Hazeltine National after 27 holes while 11 over par, citing frustration with the demanding conditions. Adapting to the faster, more penal U.S. courses proved challenging for Rafferty, particularly at the Masters and , where unfamiliar bunkering and green complexes often disrupted his rhythm compared to the links-style Opens he favored.

Performance summary

Rafferty participated in 18 major championships between 1980 and 1995, making the cut in 11 appearances. He recorded no victories and no top-5 finishes, with his best result being a tie for ninth at the . Overall, he achieved one top-10 finish and four top-25 finishes across the events.
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995
Masters TournamentT13CUT
U.S. OpenT62WDCUT
CUT61T9T44T21CUTT38T61T31CUTT39T11CUT
CUT
Data compiled from official tournament records and results archives.

International team appearances

Amateur teams

Rafferty represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 1981 Walker Cup, held on August 28–29 at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California, where the team faced the United States in a biennial amateur team competition. At 17 years and 7 months old, Rafferty debuted as one of the youngest players in history, selected for his standout junior performances including the Boys Amateur Championship. Paired with fellow Irishman Philip Walton in the , the duo secured victories in both of their matches, contributing two key points to and Ireland's effort on the and the following morning. In the singles, however, Rafferty fell short, losing 3&1 to on the first day and 2&1 to Jim Holtgrieve on the second. Despite the team's overall 9–15 defeat to the , Rafferty's participation marked a significant milestone, serving as the capstone to his distinguished amateur career before he turned professional later that year.

Professional teams

Rafferty represented in the held at in , , , selected for the team after topping the 1989 European Tour Order of Merit with earnings of £400,311. During his career peak that year, he played three matches, partnering with and Christy O'Connor Jr. in the foursomes sessions. In the opening day foursomes, Rafferty and Langer fell 2&1 to Americans Mark Calcavecchia and Ken Green, contributing to Europe's 1-3 loss in the morning session, though Europe swept the afternoon fourballs 4-0 to lead 5-3 after the first day. On the second day, paired with O'Connor in another foursomes matchup, they lost 3&2 to the same U.S. duo, as part of a split Day 2 that left Europe leading 9-7 heading into singles. Rafferty rebounded in the singles, defeating Calcavecchia—the 1989 Open Champion—by 1 up in a tightly contested match that saw the American falter with errant shots on key holes. This victory earned him his sole point from the event. Europe's performance culminated in a 14–14 tie, allowing the defending team to retain the Cup for the first time since ; Rafferty's singles win formed part of Europe's 7–5 edge in that session, which secured the draw after Europe had led entering the final day. Rafferty also represented Ireland in several professional international team events, including:
  • World Cup of Golf: 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
  • Dunhill Cup (representing & ): 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 (winners), 1989, 1990 (winners)
  • Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing ): 1984

Later career and activities

Return to competitive play

Following his retirement from full-time professional in 2003, Ronan Rafferty began sporadic participation in senior-level competitions upon reaching age 50 in 2014, eligible for the (now known as the Legends Tour). His debut came at the 2014 at Royal Porthcawl, where he expressed enthusiasm for returning to competitive play on familiar links courses. That year, he also competed in the Dutch Senior Open, carding a second-round 68 featuring five birdies and an eagle to climb into a tied sixth-place finish. Rafferty maintained a part-time schedule on the tour, prioritizing select events while balancing other commitments, and achieved no senior victories but demonstrated consistency by making cuts in several outings. In the 2016 Senior Open at , he completed all four rounds to finish at 7 over par. He returned for the 2018 edition at Royal Lytham & St Annes, posting rounds of 72 and 75 to end at 3 over par and tie for 82nd. By 2019, Rafferty's appearances had become even more selective, focusing on high-profile majors and regional pro-ams. He participated in the 2025 at , where he advanced to the second round but ultimately missed the cut with a 36-hole total of 3 over par. Rafferty also competed on the , participating in six events and earning $19,174 in official money without securing a victory or making the cut in three outings. In addition to traditional senior tour events, Rafferty has engaged in the European Players since its , serving as a professional ambassador and occasional player in invitational formats that blend competitive and exhibition elements. These outings underscore his ongoing connection to the sport without a full return to the tour.

Broadcasting and business ventures

Following his retirement from full-time professional in the early , Ronan Rafferty transitioned into , serving as a commentator and analyst for major golf events. He provided coverage for from 1997 to 2007 and later for from 2007 to 2009, including regular appearances on Setanta Golf's PGA Tour broadcasts. His work focused on European Tour events and high-profile tournaments, drawing on his experience as a former European No. 1 to offer insights into player strategies and course challenges. Rafferty has established himself as a , sharing lessons from his career through engagements with agencies such as Champions Speakers and Chartwell Speakers. He delivers keynote addresses at corporate events and conferences, emphasizing resilience, peak performance, and the mental aspects of , often tailored for audiences. These talks highlight his journey from amateur prodigy to Ryder Cup participant, inspiring attendees with anecdotes from over 100 weeks in the world's top 25 golfers. In golf course design, Rafferty has collaborated on projects evaluating and redesigning courses, partnering with architects like to preserve historical elements while enhancing playability. His contributions prioritize the game's traditional roots, focusing on courses in the UK and . Rafferty's business ventures include organizing luxury days and corporate golf events, to high-end clients seeking customized experiences. He has also appeared on podcasts in 2024, discussing European Tour stories and career highlights, such as on "The Thing About Golf" episode in June. These appearances allow him to recount behind-the-scenes insights from his professional era.

Personal life

Family and marriages

Rafferty was first married to Clare, with whom he had two children; their first child, a , was born in August 1989 while Rafferty was competing in the Australian PGA Championship. The couple, based in Ascot near during his early professional career, later divorced, leaving Rafferty with two children from the marriage, who were aged 22 and 20 as of 2012. In the , Rafferty married , a Scottish woman, marking his second . The provided stability amid his extensive travels on the European and Australasian Tours, with his first wife and young children remaining in while he competed internationally. Relocation decisions were influenced by considerations; after retiring from full-time competition, Rafferty and Yvonne moved from to , , around 2003, settling near Gleneagles to be close to her Scottish roots and the region's courses. By 2009, they had relocated to a newly built home in the area, approximately 10 minutes from Gleneagles. Rafferty's children from his first marriage have largely maintained privacy regarding their personal lives, with no public details on their involvement in sports or other pursuits.

Interests and residence

Rafferty has resided in Comrie near Gleneagles, , since around 2003, attracted by the area's renowned courses and facilities that align with his lifelong passion for the sport. His second wife, , being Scottish, further rooted the family in the region, where they established their primary home a short distance from the Gleneagles resort. A notable enthusiast of fine wines, Rafferty developed his passion during frequent trips to in the 1980s and 1990s, where exposure to regions like inspired him to begin collecting, particularly Shiraz varieties not widely available in the UK. He maintains a substantial personal cellar, once reported to hold around 3,000 bottles of claret alone, earning recognition as one of 's premier collections. Beyond wine, Rafferty holds a deep appreciation for golf course architecture, with a particular affinity for historic layouts across the , which he actively seeks to experience in their entirety. In his post-retirement years, he has embraced a more relaxed lifestyle centered on this Scottish base, balancing personal pursuits with occasional engagements in -related commentary and analysis.

Legacy

Impact on

Ronan Rafferty's breakthrough successes in 1989, including victories at the Lancia Italian Open, Scandinavian Enterprise Open, and Volvo Masters, marked a pivotal moment for Northern Irish golf, inspiring a new generation of players from the region. His achievements helped pave the way for subsequent stars such as and , who built upon Rafferty's international prominence to achieve major championships and elevate Northern Ireland's status as a golfing powerhouse. Between 1987 and 1993, Rafferty secured 12 official worldwide professional victories—seven on the European Tour and five on the —establishing him as one of the era's leading talents and contributing to the sport's global expansion. This tally placed him competitively among contemporaries, such as , who amassed numerous wins including three majors during the same period, and , who claimed 11 titles from 1987 to 1993. Rafferty's 1989 European Tour Order of Merit victory, achieved at age 25 as the youngest winner to date, alongside his selection for the Ryder Cup team that year, bolstered the tour's prestige and attracted greater international attention during a period of expansion. His consistent performances on links-style courses, a hallmark of many European Tour events, helped highlight the unique challenges and appeal of this format, fostering wider appreciation for international golf tours beyond traditional parkland layouts.

Recognition and honors

Rafferty was named the European Tour Player of the Year in 1989 after topping the with earnings of £400,311, earning him the Trophy as the season's leading money winner. He achieved a career-high ranking of 16th in the in the spring of 1990, following a tie for sixth place at the Belgian Open. In legacy discussions of Irish , Rafferty is frequently compared to era peers like Des Smyth and Eamonn Darcy, recognized for his role in elevating Northern Irish talent during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

References

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