Lon Hinkle


Lon Hinkle is an American professional golfer who has played on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.
Hinkle was born in Flint, Michigan. He attended Santana High School in Santee, California, graduating in 1967. He then attended San Diego State University, where he was a member of the golf team. He turned pro and joined the PGA Tour in 1972.
Hinkle won three tournaments in his career on the PGA Tour, all of which came in the late 1970s. 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 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.
Hinkle lives in Bigfork, Montana in the northwest corner of the state.

Professional wins (5)

PGA Tour wins (3)

PGA Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11977Tallahassee Open Ed SneedLost to birdie on first extra hole
21979Bing Crosby National Pro-Am Andy Bean, Mark HayesHinkle won with birdie on third extra hole
Bean eliminated with par on second hole
31986Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic Raymond Floyd, Mike SullivanFloyd won with par on first extra hole

Ben Hogan Tour wins (1)

Other wins (1)

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

Summary

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" indicates a tie for a place