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Wayne Grady
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Wayne Desmond Grady (born 26 July 1957) is an Australian professional golfer.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Grady was born in Brisbane, Australia.
Professional career
[edit]In 1978, Grady turned professional. He began his career on the PGA Tour of Australia and had much early success, winning the 1978 CBA West Lakes Classic. He also played extensively on the European Tour during this era, winning the 1984 German Open.
Shortly thereafter, Grady earned membership on the PGA Tour at 1984 PGA Tour Qualifying School. In 1989, Grady won the Westchester Classic. However, Grady is probably best known for his 1990 PGA Championship victory where he defeated Fred Couples down the stretch. He was also runner-up at the 1989 Open Championship, losing with fellow Australian Greg Norman in a playoff to American Mark Calcavecchia.
As of 2005 Grady is director of the PGA Tour of Australasia. He owns a golf course design business and a golf tour company, and has worked as a commentator for the BBC's televised golf coverage since 2000.
Professional wins (10)
[edit]PGA Tour wins (2)
[edit]| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (1) |
| Other PGA Tour (1) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 Jun 1989 | Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic | −7 (69-65-71-72=277) | Playoff | |
| 2 | 12 Aug 1990 | PGA Championship | −6 (72-67-72-71=282) | 3 strokes |
PGA Tour playoff record (1–1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1989 | Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic | Won with birdie on first extra hole | |
| 2 | 1989 | The Open Championship | Calcavecchia won four-hole aggregate playoff; Calcavecchia: −2 (4-3-3-3=13), Grady: +1 (4-4-4-4=16), Norman: x (3-3-4-x=x) |
European Tour wins (2)
[edit]| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (1) |
| Other European Tour (1) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 Aug 1984 | Lufthansa German Open | −16 (70-65-69-64=268) | 1 stroke | |
| 2 | 12 Aug 1990 | PGA Championship | −6 (72-67-72-71=282) | 3 strokes |
European Tour playoff record (0–1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1989 | The Open Championship | Calcavecchia won four-hole aggregate playoff; Calcavecchia: −2 (4-3-3-3=13), Grady: +1 (4-4-4-4=16), Norman: x (3-3-4-x=x) |
PGA Tour of Australasia wins (3)
[edit]| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 Oct 1978 | CBA West Lakes Classic | −4 (68-72-67-73=280) | 2 strokes | |
| 2 | 6 Nov 1988 | Australian PGA Championship[a] | −13 (69-69-71-66=275) | Playoff | |
| 3 | 24 Nov 1991 | Ford Australian PGA Championship (2) | −13 (66-66-68-69=271) | 3 strokes |
PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (1–3)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1982 | Dunhill Queensland Open | Lost to par on first extra hole | |
| 2 | 1982 | Air New Zealand Shell Open | Lost to birdie on second extra hole | |
| 3 | 1988 | Australian PGA Championship | Won with par on fourth extra hole | |
| 4 | 1993 | Optus Players Championship | Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
Other wins (2)
[edit]- 1989 World Cup of Golf (team, with Peter Fowler)
- 1993 Indonesia PGA Championship
Other senior wins (2)
[edit]Playoff record
[edit]PGA of Japan Tour playoff record (0–1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1985 | Casio World Open | Green won with par on second extra hole Grady and Yuhara eliminated by par on first hole |
Major championships
[edit]Wins (1)
[edit]| Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | PGA Championship | 2 shot lead | −6 (72-67-72-71=282) | 3 strokes |
Results timeline
[edit]| Tournament | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | |||||||||||
| U.S. Open | CUT | T43 | CUT | CUT | |||||||
| The Open Championship | CUT | CUT | CUT | T17 | T38 | T2 | |||||
| PGA Championship | T21 | CUT | T46 |
| Tournament | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | T27 | CUT | T13 | CUT | T41 | T35 | ||||
| U.S. Open | CUT | T63 | T17 | T81 | CUT | CUT | T67 | |||
| The Open Championship | CUT | T26 | T39 | T9 | T60 | CUT | ||||
| PGA Championship | 1 | T43 | CUT | CUT | T30 | CUT | T65 | CUT | CUT |
| Tournament | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | ||||||
| U.S. Open | CUT | |||||
| The Open Championship | ||||||
| PGA Championship | T64 | CUT |
CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1983 Open Championship)
"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 | 6 | 4 |
| U.S. Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 |
| The Open Championship | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 7 |
| PGA Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 7 |
| Totals | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 44 | 23 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (1991 U.S. Open – 1992 Open Championship)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (three times)
Team appearances
[edit]Amateur
- Australian Men's Interstate Teams Matches (representing Queensland): 1977
Professional
- World Cup (representing Australia): 1978, 1983, 1989
- Four Tours World Championship (representing Australasia): 1985, 1989, 1990 (winners)
- Dunhill Cup (representing Australia): 1989, 1990, 1991
- Alfred Dunhill Challenge (representing Australasia): 1995
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ incorporating the New South Wales PGA Championship.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Wayne Grady". europeantour.com. PGA European Tour. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
- ^ "Week 11 1991 Ending 17 Mar 1991" (pdf). OWGR. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ "Shark to encounter the finest". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 25 October 1988. p. 22. Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Trove.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Wayne Grady at the PGA Tour official site
- Wayne Grady at the European Tour official site
- Wayne Grady at the Official World Golf Ranking official site
Wayne Grady
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Birth and family background
Wayne Grady was born on July 26, 1957, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[7][2][8] Details about Grady's family background, including his parents and any siblings, are limited in public records, though he is described as having risen from humble, working-class roots in Brisbane's local community.[9] His early childhood unfolded in the suburban environment of Brisbane, where he grew up as an unassuming local, frequenting everyday spots like neighborhood bakeries and pie shops that reflected the everyday Australian upbringing of the era.[9] In this setting, Grady encountered initial opportunities for sports engagement through community activities, though specific non-golf pursuits from his youth remain sparsely documented.[10]Introduction to golf and amateur career
Wayne Grady's introduction to golf occurred in his hometown of Brisbane, Queensland, where he began playing as a junior at the Virginia Golf Club, one of the region's oldest courses.[11] Growing up in the 1960s and early 1970s, Grady developed his skills on this layout, which served as a foundational hub for several Australian golf talents during that era.[12] Under the guidance of renowned coach Charlie Earp, a PGA Immortal and long-time professional at the Royal Queensland Golf Club, Grady honed his technique and competitive mindset. Earp, who mentored multiple generations of Australian golfers, played a pivotal role in Grady's progression from casual play to structured training, emphasizing fundamentals that would define his swing and approach. This coaching relationship, beginning in Grady's teenage years, helped him regain focus after an initial brief foray into professional play at age 16, allowing him to reestablish himself as an amateur.[13][14] Grady's amateur career gained momentum in the mid-1970s, marked by key victories at the state level. He captured the Virginia Golf Club Championship in both 1976 and 1977, showcasing his emerging talent against local competitors.[15] These successes propelled him to representative honors, including selection for Queensland in the 1977 Australian Men's Interstate Teams Matches, where he contributed to interstate competition against other states.[16] By the late 1970s, Grady's consistent performances in junior and amateur events positioned him as a promising figure in Queensland golf, setting the stage for his full-time professional transition.Professional playing career
Turning professional and early tours
Wayne Grady turned professional in 1978 at the age of 21, following a five-year stint as an amateur after an initial brief foray into the pro ranks at age 16.[17] His amateur foundation, marked by strong performances in Australian competitions, provided the technical skills and competitive edge needed for the transition to professional golf.[18] Grady immediately joined the PGA Tour of Australasia, where he secured his first professional victory at the 1978 West Lakes Classic, held at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, demonstrating early promise on his home circuit.[17][19][20] In the late 1970s, Grady continued to compete on the Australasian tour, experiencing both successes and setbacks that honed his resilience. A notable near-miss came at the 1979 South Seas Classic in Fiji, where he held a six-stroke lead entering the final round but was overtaken by Rick Mallicoat's 68, finishing in a tie for second place with Mike Ferguson.[21] These regional experiences, including consistent top finishes, helped build momentum but highlighted the need for broader exposure to elevate his game amid the competitive demands of professional play.[22] To adapt and advance, Grady expanded to international circuits in the early 1980s, joining the Asian and European Tours after his initial Australasian successes. He played extensively on these tours from 1979 to 1984, facing challenges such as adapting to varied course conditions and climates—disliking Europe compared to Australia's familiarity—while earning exemptions through strong performances.[23] This period of international grinding provided crucial experience, culminating in his first European Tour victory at the 1984 German Open, which solidified his reputation beyond Australasia and paved the way for further global opportunities.[17][23]Peak achievements and major tours
Grady reached the peak of his professional career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, culminating in a career-high ranking of 25th in the Official World Golf Ranking in March 1991.[24] This ascent reflected his steady improvement and competitive consistency on international circuits following his foundational experiences on regional tours.[8] On the PGA Tour, Grady demonstrated sustained performance throughout the 1980s and 1990s, participating in 338 events and making the cut in 186 of them, which underscored his reliability in high-level competition.[8] He amassed 24 top-10 finishes and 8 top-5 results during this period, contributing to career earnings exceeding $2 million, a significant achievement for an international player navigating the demanding American schedule.[8] Grady also maintained a solid presence on the European Tour in the 1980s and 1990s, where he competed regularly and accumulated career earnings of approximately €347,531, highlighting his adaptability to diverse course conditions and competitive fields across the continent.[25] His efforts on the PGA Tour of Australasia during these decades further solidified his reputation, with consistent top performances that reinforced his status as a prominent Australian professional.[2] A standout moment in this peak era came at the 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon, where Grady finished as runner-up after leading early and tying for the lead entering the four-hole playoff with Mark Calcavecchia and Greg Norman, ultimately finishing tied for second with Norman.[1] Overall, these years marked Grady's most impactful phase, blending endurance and occasional contention for top honors across global tours.Tournament victories
PGA Tour and major wins
Wayne Grady secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 1989 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic, held at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York.[8] In a sudden-death playoff, he defeated Ronnie Black with a birdie on the first extra hole after both finished regulation at 7-under-par 277, earning $180,000 from the $1 million purse.[26] This breakthrough win marked a significant milestone for the Australian golfer, who had been competing on the tour since 1985 but had yet to claim a title.[8] Grady's second and most prominent PGA Tour triumph came at the 1990 PGA Championship, his sole major championship victory, at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. He posted rounds of 72-67-72-71 to finish at 6-under-par 282, winning by three strokes over runner-up Fred Couples, with Gil Morgan placing third at 2-under.[27] The victory netted him $225,000 from a $1.35 million purse, and it established Grady as the third Australian-born winner of the PGA Championship.[28] Despite challenging conditions that saw only three players break par for the tournament, Grady maintained his lead after a second-round 67 and held steady in the final rounds.[8] These two victories represented the entirety of Grady's PGA Tour successes across 338 career starts, during which he amassed $2,077,433 in official earnings and achieved 8 top-5 finishes.[8] The 1990 major win, in particular, propelled him out of the shadow cast by fellow Australian Greg Norman, boosting his profile and securing his status as a one-time major champion at age 28.[29]International and regional tour wins
Grady's international and regional tour successes highlighted his versatility as a professional golfer, with notable victories on the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. These triumphs came amid a career that saw him compete globally after turning professional in 1978, often balancing tours in Europe, Asia, and his home region.[2] His sole verified European Tour victory occurred at the 1984 Lufthansa German Open, where he carded a final-round 64 to finish at 16 under par, edging out Jerry Anderson by one stroke at Frankfurter Golf Club. This win marked a breakthrough on the European circuit and helped solidify his reputation as a consistent performer abroad.[30][31] On the PGA Tour of Australasia, Grady secured three titles, starting with the 1978 Westlakes Classic shortly after turning pro, demonstrating his early promise in regional competition. He later claimed Australian PGA Championship wins in 1988 and 1991, the first in a dramatic sudden-death playoff against Greg Norman at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort after both finished at 13 under par. These victories underscored his dominance in home events during his peak years.[17][32][8] Grady also tasted success in Asia with the 1993 Indonesian PGA Championship, finishing strongly to claim the title at Royal Jakarta Golf Club.[2] Although he did not win on the PGA of Japan Tour, he recorded a runner-up finish via playoff loss at the 1985 Casio World Open, shooting a low round of 65 but falling short against the field.[2][33]| Year | Tournament | Tour | Venue | Winning Score | Margin of Victory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Westlakes Classic | PGA Tour of Australasia | The Grange Golf Club, Adelaide, Australia | 280 (−4) | 2 strokes |
| 1984 | Lufthansa German Open | European Tour | Frankfurter Golf Club, Frankfurt, Germany | 268 (−16) | 1 stroke |
| 1988 | Australian PGA Championship | PGA Tour of Australasia | Riverside Oaks Golf Resort, Sydney, Australia | 275 (−13) | Playoff |
| 1991 | Ford Australian PGA Championship | PGA Tour of Australasia | Concord Golf Club, Sydney, Australia | 271 (−13) | 3 strokes |
| 1993 | Indonesian PGA Championship | Asian Tour | Royal Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta, Indonesia | Not available | Not available |
Major championships
1990 PGA Championship victory
The 1990 PGA Championship took place from August 9 to 12 at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, a par-72 layout designed by Jack Nicklaus that measured approximately 7,000 yards and featured thick Bermuda rough and undulating greens, testing the field's accuracy and course management.[34] The event drew significant attention amid broader discussions on inclusivity in golf, but on the course, it showcased a grueling setup where only three players finished under par. Wayne Grady, a 33-year-old Australian with modest prior success on the PGA Tour—including a single victory at the 1989 New York Open—entered as a long shot, overshadowed by compatriots like Greg Norman and favorites such as Fred Couples.[29][5] Grady's performance built steadily across the rounds. In the opening round, he carded an even-par 72, placing him in a mid-pack position behind early leader Bobby Wadkins, who shot 69. His second round was a standout, a 5-under 67 that included birdies on several par-4s, vaulting him to 5-under for the tournament and a two-stroke lead over Payne Stewart and Couples. The third round saw Grady maintain control with another steady 72, holding his advantage at two shots entering the final day despite bogeys on holes 10, 14, and 17 that briefly narrowed the gap. In the pressure-filled Sunday round, he posted a 1-under 71—featuring a birdie on the par-5 16th and solid par saves late—to close at 6-under 282 total, fending off Couples' charge. Couples, who reached 4-under midway through the final round, faltered with bogeys on the back nine to finish three strokes back at 3-under 285, while Gil Morgan placed third at 2-under 286.[27][34][5] Grady's triumph marked the third time an Australian claimed the PGA Championship, following Jim Ferrier in 1947 and David Graham in 1979, and solidified his status as a major champion in a career often defined by near-misses, with 29 runner-up finishes worldwide prior to the win. As the first Australian major victor in over a decade amid Norman's high-profile close calls, it carried symbolic weight for Australian golf, breaking the narrative of perpetual bridesmaids. Reflecting on the upset, Grady later called it a "dream come true" that validated his perseverance, noting the pressure of leading into the final round but emphasizing his focus on "hitting fairways and greens" rather than the leaderboard, a mindset honed from years on the European and PGA Tours. He described the victory as humbling, especially sharing the spotlight with legends on the Wanamaker Trophy, and it earned him $225,000—the largest paycheck of his career—while boosting his world ranking into the top 20.[35][9][36]Results timeline and performance summary
Wayne Grady participated in 28 major championships between 1979 and 2000, achieving one victory and one runner-up finish, with his 1990 PGA Championship win serving as the highlight of his major career.[8] The following table summarizes his year-by-year results in the four majors, where "DNP" indicates did not play, "MC" indicates missed cut, "WD" indicates withdrew, and "T" indicates tied position. Data is compiled from official tournament records and golf statistical databases.[37][1][38]| Year | Masters Tournament | U.S. Open | The Open Championship | PGA Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | DNP | DNP | MC | DNP |
| 1983 | DNP | DNP | WD | DNP |
| 1984 | DNP | DNP | MC | DNP |
| 1986 | DNP | DNP | DNP | T21 |
| 1987 | DNP | T43 | T17 | DNP |
| 1988 | DNP | DNP | T38 | DNP |
| 1989 | DNP | DNP | 2 | T46 |
| 1990 | T27 | DNP | MC | 1 |
| 1991 | DNP | T63 | T26 | T43 |
| 1992 | T13 | T17 | T39 | DNP |
| 1993 | DNP | T81 | T9 | DNP |
| 1994 | T41 | DNP | T60 | T30 |
| 1995 | T35 | DNP | MC | DNP |
| 1996 | DNP | T67 | DNP | T65 |
| 2000 | DNP | DNP | DNP | T64 |
| Major | Best Finish (Year) | Appearances | Cuts Made | Top-10 Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | T13 (1992) | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| U.S. Open | T17 (1992) | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| The Open Championship | 2nd (1989) | 12 | 7 | 2 (2nd, T9) |
| PGA Championship | 1st (1990) | 7 | 7 | 1 (1st) |
| Overall | 1st (1990) | 28 | 23 | 3 |
