Simon Thornton

Simon Thornton (born 18 March 1977) is an Irish professional golfer. He won the 2013 Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open on the European Tour.

Simon Thornton
Thornton at the 2010 KLM Open
Personal information
Born (1977-03-18) 18 March 1977
Bradford, England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight160 lb (73 kg; 11 st)
Nationality Ireland
ResidenceNewcastle, Northern Ireland
SpouseCiara (m. 2004)
Career
Turned professional2005
Former tour(s)European Tour
Challenge Tour
Professional wins6
Number of wins by tour
European Tour1
Challenge Tour1
Other5

Career

Thornton was a late starter to golf, only taking up the sport in his late teens and turning professional at the advanced age of 28.[1] He began as an assistant club professional at Royal County Down, playing in regional Irish PGA events, where his achievements included recording four straight monthly wins with the Ulster Golfers Alliance.[2] He began playing on the Challenge Tour in 2009, finishing 51st before earning his European Tour card at qualifying school at the end of the season. His debut season on the full tour was unsuccessful, and he returned to the Challenge Tour for 2011, finishing in 12th position to secure a quick return to the European Tour. In June 2013 won the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open in France, beating Tjaart van der Walt at the first hole on a sudden-death playoff.[3][4] His win gave him an exemption of the European Tour until the end of 2014. 2014 was, however, a poor season and in 2015 he played a mixture of European Tour and Challenge Tour events but failed to retain his card on either tour.

Professional wins (6)

European Tour wins (1)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 16 Jun 2013 Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open1 –5 (74-70-65-70=279) Playoff Tjaart van der Walt

1Dual-ranking event with the Challenge Tour

European Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 2013 Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open Tjaart van der Walt Won with par on first extra hole

Challenge Tour wins (1)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 16 Jun 2013 Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open1 –5 (74-70-65-70=279) Playoff Tjaart van der Walt

1Dual-ranking event with the European Tour

Challenge Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 2013 Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open Tjaart van der Walt Won with par on first extra hole

PGA EuroPro Tour wins (1)
  • 2008 Bovey Castle Championship

Other wins (4)

See also

References
  1. Keogh, Brian (13 November 2008). "Thornton close to Tour dream". Irish Golf Desk. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  2. Edenmore Golf Club Archived November 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Ireland's Simon Thornton claims first ever European Tour title". Irish Independent. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  4. "Irish golfer Simon Thornton dedicates triumph to late dad on Father's Day". The Score. 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
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