Dillard Pruitt

Dillard Pruitt
Personal information
Full nameDillard Pruitt
Born (1961-09-24) September 24, 1961 (age 63)
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegeClemson University
StatusAmateur (reinstated 2001)
Professional (1985–2001)
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
European Tour
Professional wins2
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour1
Other1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT13: 1992
PGA ChampionshipT33: 1992
U.S. OpenT44: 1992
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Dillard Pruitt (born September 24, 1961) is an American amateur golfer, who formerly played professionally on the PGA Tour.

Pruitt was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended Clemson University from 1981–1984 and was a distinguished member of the golf team. His leadership was a key part of the Tigers rise to prominence in golf in the 1980s.[1] Pruitt was a two-time All-American (first team his senior year), three-time All-ACC and a key member of Clemson's 1982 ACC Championship team. He turned professional in 1985. He played on the European Tour in 1986 and 1987 and joined the PGA Tour in 1988.[1][2]

Pruitt played on the PGA Tour from 1988 to 1996.[2] His highest finish on the money list was 63rd in 1991, when he won $271,861 and the Chattanooga Classic, his only PGA Tour victory.[3] Pruitt was the first Clemson alum to win a PGA Tour event.[1] His best finish in a major championship was tied for 13th at the 1992 Masters.[1][4][5] Since retiring as a touring professional, Pruitt has worked for the PGA Tour as a rules official.[2]

Pruitt's amateur status was reinstated by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 2001. He went on to win the 2002 Sunnehanna Amateur and the 2002 Canadian Amateur Championship. He was named to the 2003 Walker Cup Team. This led to a firestorm of controversy within the golfing world. The USGA was heavily criticized for allowing a former PGA tournament champion to regain his amateur status.[3]

Pruitt is the brother-in-law of golfer Jay Haas, who is married to his sister Jan.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Player Bio: Dillard Pruitt". Clemson Tigers. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "Pruitt answers your rules questions". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Purkey, Mike. "Backspin". Golf Business Magazine. Archived from the original on February 11, 2003. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  4. ^ "Masters Tournament Results: 1992". Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
  5. ^ "Golf Major Championships". Retrieved January 21, 2008.