Michael Clayton (golfer)
Michael Andrew Clayton is an Australian professional golfer. He played on the PGA Tour of Australasia from 1981 until he turned 50 in 2007. He found success there, winning seven times between 1982 and 1994.
Clayton was born in Melbourne, Victoria. He had a very successful amateur career which included the 1978 Australian Amateur, and the Victorian Amateur in 1977 and 1981. He turned professional in 1981, the same year he joined the Australian Tour. He won his first tour event one year later and would win six more times between then and 1994.
Clayton played on the European Tour from 1982 to 2000, winning the 1984 Timex Open. He also won the 1984 Kolon Korean Open. His best finish on the Australian Order of Merit was 4th in 1994. He would never lose his playing status until he became eligible for the Australian Senior's Tour.
He is most known from his "Infamous Putt" which resulted in a one stroke penalty. As the putt was traveling towards the hole, Clayton twirled his putter in the air, but it slipped. He dove toward the putter and knocked it into the ball. The ball then hit Clayton as he was lying on the green.
Clayton also plays on the European Seniors Tour. He was runner-up in the 2009 Jersey Seniors Classic, losing at the third playoff hole to Delroy Cambridge.
Clayton is now a golf course architect, partnering with 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy to create the firm Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead Golf Course Design. Clayton designed or was involved in the design of Barnbougle Dunes in Bridport, Tasmania and the Ranfurlie course at Amstel Golf Club.
Amateur wins (6)
- 1977 Victorian Amateur
- 1978 Australian Amateur, Korean Amateur
- 1981 Victorian Amateur, Riversdale Cup, Dutch Amateur
Professional wins (8)
European Tour wins (1)
European Tour playoff record| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
| 1 | 1990 | Wang Four Stars |  Rodger Davis,  Bill Malley, Mark McNulty | Davis won with birdie on seventh extra hole Malley and McNulty eliminated by par on first hole |
PGA Tour of Australasia wins (6)
Asia Golf Circuit wins (1)
- 1984 Maekyung Open
Playoff record
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 1 | 2009 | Jersey Seniors Classic |  Delroy Cambridge | Lost to par on third extra hole |
Results in major championships
Note: Clayton only played in The Open Championship.CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Team appearances
- World Cup : 1982, 1994
- Hennessy Cognac Cup : 1984
- Alfred Dunhill Challenge : 1995