Rocky Thompson (golfer)

Hugh Delane "Rocky" Thompson (October 14, 1939 – March 13, 2021) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.

Rocky Thompson
Personal information
Full nameHugh Delane Thompson
NicknameRocky
Born(1939-10-14)October 14, 1939
Shreveport, Louisiana
DiedMarch 13, 2021(2021-03-13) (aged 81)
Plano, Texas
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight174 lb (79 kg; 12.4 st)
Sporting nationality United States
ResidencePlano, Texas
Career
CollegeUniversity of Houston
Turned professional1964
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins4
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour Champions3
Other1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipT62: 1979
U.S. OpenT18: 1973
The Open ChampionshipT52: 1978

Early life and amateur career

In 1939, Thompson was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended the University of Houston and graduated in 1962.

Professional career

In 1964, Thompson turned pro. He played on the PGA Tour for many years but never recorded a victory. His best finish was a solo second place at the 1969 Western Open.

Thompson's fortunes changed, however, once he reached the age of 50 and began competing on the Senior PGA Tour in 1990. His first win came at the 1991 MONY Syracuse Senior Classic. Thompson, who had played a combined 611 events on the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour, without a victory, famously said his impassioned celebratory speech:

"But now if I never, ever win a PGA Tour event, right now, this minute, today, this week—" Thompson paused, his short soliloquy becoming louder with each enunciated syllable. He then hit his crescendo when he thrust his hips a little for effect, threw his fist in the air and yelled—screamed even— "I am the man!"[1]

Later that same year, he won at the Digital Seniors Classic. In 1994, he won the GTE Suncoast Classic. He holds or shares several Champions Tour records.

Personal life

Thompson was mayor of Toco, Texas, in the 1990s. He died on March 13, 2021, at the age of 81.[1]

Professional wins (4)

Regular wins (1)

Senior PGA Tour wins (3)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 Jun 16, 1991 MONY Syracuse Senior Classic −17 (62-68-69=199) 1 stroke United States Jim Dent
2 Sep 15, 1991 Digital Seniors Classic −11 (66-69-70=205) 1 stroke Australia Bruce Crampton
3 Feb 13, 1994 GTE Suncoast Classic −15 (73-67-61=201) 1 stroke United States Raymond Floyd

See also

References

  1. Livsey, Laury (March 29, 2021). "PGA Tour Champions winner Rocky Thompson passes away at 81". PGA Tour.
  2. "Greater Bangor Open". treeoflifeworkshop.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
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