ASU in the Pros Series: Golfer Tom Purtzer

Tom Purtzer is a 65-year-old professional golfer with 15 career wins under his belt. The native Iowan actually took after his older brother, Paul, who played for the Arizona State golf team and then hit the PGA Tour during the 1970s and 1980s.

The Golf Channel once touted Purtzer as possessing the “sweetest swing in golf.” He’s since put his immaculate skill to good use, as he and his brother currently head the Purtzer Performance Golf School and Academy located in Phoenix.

Time at ASU

Named Second-Team All-American in 1973

Time in the Pros

Purtzer turned pro in 1973, and has 15 professional wins which have been spread out over a handful of tours. He’s recorded five PGA Tour victories — including the Phoenix Open (1984) — along with four PGA Champions Tour wins, one Japan Golf Tour win, and four other professional victories.

His best results in major championships include a fourth-place finish at the 1977 U.S. Open and when he tied-fourth at The Open Championship in 1982.

Purtzer has also logged an appearance with the U.S. National Team, when he joined the unit at the Four Tours World Championship in 1991.

Purtzer’s best finish of the 2017 campaign thus far has been a tied-22nd finish at the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge, which is a part of the PGA Champions Tour.