Births on January 8

Mike Harwood, Australian golfer

Michael Geoffrey Harwood, born on January 8, 1959, is an accomplished Australian professional golfer renowned for his extensive career across prestigious international tours. Hailing from Sydney, Harwood officially turned professional in 1979, embarking on a remarkable journey that saw him compete with distinction on both the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour, two of the world's leading professional golf circuits.

Early Career and Ascendance in Professional Golf

Harwood quickly established himself in his home country, securing his inaugural Australian title at the 1986 Australian PGA Championship. This victory marked a significant milestone, setting the stage for his burgeoning international career. He then made a substantial impact on the European Tour, where he claimed five significant victories.

• 1988 Portuguese Open: Harwood's first European Tour triumph, demonstrating his capabilities on the international stage.
• 1989 PLM Open (Sweden): His second European Tour title, further solidifying his presence among Europe's elite golfers.
• 1990 Volvo PGA Championship (Wentworth): This was a landmark win, as the Volvo PGA Championship is widely regarded as the flagship tournament of the European Tour, often referred to as 'European Major,' held at the iconic Wentworth Club in England. This victory underscored his ability to perform under the highest pressure.
• 1990 Volvo Masters (Valderrama): Later that year, Harwood continued his dominant form by winning the prestigious Volvo Masters at Valderrama Golf Club in Spain, a course known for its challenging layout and host to the Ryder Cup.
• 1990 West End South Australian Open: Just two weeks after his triumph at Valderrama, Harwood returned to Australia to secure a commanding five-stroke victory at the West End South Australian Open, showcasing his consistent performance across continents.

The year 1990 was particularly momentous for Harwood, as he achieved a career-best sixth-place ranking on the European Tour Order of Merit. This annual ranking system recognizes golfers based on their prize money earnings throughout the season, highlighting consistent top-tier performance.

Career Peak and Global Recognition

The momentum carried into 1991, a year that brought Harwood close to golf's ultimate glory. He finished as runner-up to fellow Australian Ian Baker-Finch at The Open Championship held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England. The Open Championship, one of golf's four major championships, is a globally revered event, and Harwood's performance cemented his standing as a top international player. Several weeks later, he clinched another European Tour title at the GA European Open at Walton Heath. While Harwood played occasionally in the United States during his prime, participating in PGA Tour events, his only top-10 finish on the PGA Tour circuit (excluding majors) was at The Open Championship itself, given its co-sanctioned status. Towards the close of 1991, Michael Harwood achieved his career-highest Official World Golf Ranking of 20th overall, a testament to his consistent excellence and global presence in the sport.

In 1992, Harwood recorded his best professional score with an outstanding round of 61 at the Australian PGA Championship at Concord. Beyond his playing career, Harwood also contributed to the governance of golf, serving as a board member of the Australian PGA in the early 2000s, demonstrating his dedication to the sport's development.

Dominance on the Senior Tours

After reaching the age of 50, Michael Harwood transitioned seamlessly into the senior professional golf circuits, continuing his winning ways with remarkable success on both the European Senior Tour (now Legends Tour) and the Australian Senior Tour (PGA Legends Tour).

European Senior Tour Achievements:

• 2009 OKI Castellón Senior Tour Championship: Harwood secured his first title on the European Senior Tour by three strokes at this season-ending event. This significant victory propelled him to a ninth-place finish on the 2009 final money list and earned him the prestigious Rookie of the Year award for his impressive debut season. This win was particularly notable as it marked his first official professional tournament victory in 18 years, a testament to his enduring talent and perseverance, despite having accumulated over 100 Pro-Am victories throughout his career, which are typically less formal or unofficial events.
• 2011 European Senior Tour Order of Merit: He once again finished within the top-10 of the European Senior Tour Order of Merit in 2011, reaffirming his consistent performance among his peers.

Australian Senior Tour (PGA Legends Tour) Dominance:

Harwood's success was even more pronounced on the Australian Senior Tour.

• 2009 Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year: mirroring his European success, he claimed both the Order of Merit title and Rookie of the Year honors on the Australian Senior Tour (PGA Legends Tour) in 2009.
• 2015 Order of Merit: He won the Order of Merit for a second time in 2015, achieving this by a significant margin, highlighting his sustained superiority.
• Extensive Senior Wins: Across his senior career, Harwood has amassed over 75 victories on the Australian senior circuit. These include major senior titles such as the Australian Open (senior version), the Australian PGA Championship (senior version), and two victories at the TPC Championship (senior version).

In 2019, Harwood continued his winning form, securing the first two events of the season: the Victorian Senior Masters and the Victorian Senior PGA Championship. His outstanding performance throughout that year was recognized with the coveted 2019 Legend Tour Player of the Year award, a fitting acknowledgment of his enduring skill and competitive spirit in the world of professional golf.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michael Harwood's Career

When did Michael Harwood turn professional?

Michael Harwood turned professional in 1979, embarking on a long and successful career in golf.

What were Michael Harwood's most significant wins on the European Tour?

His most significant European Tour victories include the 1990 Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth (the tour's flagship event) and the 1990 Volvo Masters at Valderrama, in addition to the 1988 Portuguese Open and the 1989 PLM Open.

What was Michael Harwood's highest world ranking?

Michael Harwood achieved his career-highest Official World Golf Ranking of 20th overall in late 1991.

Did Michael Harwood play in The Open Championship?

Yes, Michael Harwood notably finished as runner-up in The Open Championship in 1991, held at Royal Birkdale, one of golf's major championships.

What significant awards has Michael Harwood received on the senior tours?

Harwood was named Rookie of the Year on both the European Senior Tour (2009) and the Australian Senior Tour (PGA Legends Tour in 2009). He also won the Order of Merit on the Australian Senior Tour twice (2009, 2015) and was recognized as the 2019 Legend Tour Player of the Year.