Lon Hinkle

Lon Currey Hinkle (born July 17, 1949) is an American professional golfer. He played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

Early life and amateur career In 1949, Hinkle was born in Flint, Michigan. He attended Santana High School in Santee, California and graduated in 1967.

Hinkle attended nearby San Diego State University for college. He was a member of the golf team.

Professional career In 1972, Hinkle turned professional. He joined the PGA Tour after his success at 1972 PGA Tour Qualifying School.

In the late 1970s, Hinkle won three tournaments on the PGA Tour. In 1979, he earned $247,693, finished 3rd on the money list, and won two tour events, including the World Series of Golf. That year in the first round of the U.S. Open at Inverness Club he took a shortcut, cutting the dogleg on the par-5 8th hole by hitting onto the 17th fairway. Overnight, USGA officials planted a tree (known ever afterwards as The Hinkle Tree) to block the shortcut. His best finish in a major was a T-3 at both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship in 1980. During his career on the PGA Tour, he had more than 50 top-10 finishes. He also played on the European Tour occasionally. Though he never won he finished runner-up at the 1975 German Open and 1980 European Open.

In 1981, Hinkle won the World Long Drive Championship.

After turning 50 in 1999, Hinkle joined the Champions Tour. His best finish at that level is a T-12 in the 2000 Audi Senior Classic.

Personal life Hinkle lives in Bigfork, Montana in the northwest corner of the state.

Professional wins (5)

PGA Tour wins (3)

PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)

Source:

Ben Hogan Tour wins (1)

Other wins (1) 1978 JCPenney Mixed Team Classic (with Pat Bradley)

Results in major championships

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

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (1982 U.S. Open – 1987 PGA) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (four times)

Results in The Players Championship

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place