Mark Hayes (golfer)


Mark Stephen Hayes was an American professional golfer. He had three victories on the PGA Tour in the 1970s, including the 1977 Tournament Players Championship. He played in the 1979 Ryder Cup as a late replacement for Tom Watson.

Early years and amateur career

Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Hayes played collegiately at Oklahoma State University, where he was a two-time All-American. He won the Sunnehanna Amateur in 1972.

Professional career

Hayes won three times on the PGA Tour: the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and Pensacola Open in 1976 and the Tournament Players Championship in 1977. He also won the PGA Tour-sponsored Tallahassee Open in 1986 and three Oklahoma Opens.
Hayes had his best finish in a major championship at the U.S. Open in 1980, where he began the final round of play two shots out of the lead but shot a final round 74 to finish T6. He was also the first round leader at the 1975 PGA Championship, but finished T22. In the second round of The Open Championship in 1977, Hayes shot 63 at the Ailsa Course at Turnberry to establish a new single round record at The Open Championship by two strokes. The previous record of 65 was set by Henry Cotton in the second round in 1934 at Royal St. George's.
Hayes played in the 1979 Ryder Cup team after Tom Watson gave up his spot to be with his wife at the birth of their first child. Hayes lost both his matches on the second day but won his singles match against Antonio Garrido on the final day, to help the United States to a 17 to 11 win over the European team.
After turning 50, Hayes joined the Senior PGA Tour. His best finish was T10 at the 2001 Siebel Classic in Silicon Valley.
Hayes was well known for his trademark bucket caps.

Business career

In the late 1980s, Hayes began preparing for a career in golf course design and construction. In 1990, he established a golf course design firm. His projects were built in Oklahoma and neighboring states.

Death

Hayes died on July 17, 2018, from early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Amateur wins

PGA Tour wins (3)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1May 9, 1976Byron Nelson Golf Classic66-67-71-69=273−112 strokes Don Bies
2Nov 1, 1976Pensacola Open68-72-69-66=275−92 strokes Lee Elder
3Mar 20, 1977Tournament Players Championship72-74-71-72=289+12 strokes Mike McCullough

PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11979Bing Crosby National Pro-Am Andy Bean, Lon HinkleHinkle won with birdie on third extra hole
Bean eliminated with par on second hole
21981Greater Greensboro Open Larry NelsonLost to birdie on second extra hole

Other wins (4)

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

Summary

Wins (1)

Results timeline

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" indicates a tie for a place.

U.S. national team appearances

Amateur
Professional