Golfer Peter Thomson dies just shy of 89th birthday
THE sporting world is paying tribute to Brunswick-born Peter Thomson who passed away this morning in Melbourne, aged 88. The five-time British Open winner was one of the most successful golfers Australia has ever produced.
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TRIBUTES are flowing for Aussie golf legend Peter Thomson who died this morning, two months shy of his 89th birthday.
The five time British Open champion is being remembered as a great of the game and a proud Victorian.
Brunswick-born Thomson was the first Australian to win the British Open and one of only two men to win it five times alongside Tom Watson of the US.
He won on the American senior tour nine times in 1985, setting a record that may never be broken.
He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for more than four years and died at home in Melbourne surrounded by family at 9am.
Thomson also served as president of the Australian PGA for 32 years, designing and building courses in Australia and around the world and helped establish the Asian Tour.
In 1979 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his service to golf and in 2001 became an Officer of the order of Australia (AO) for contributions as player and administrator.
I’m am so saddened to hear of the passing of our Aussie legend and true gentleman of the game, Peter Thomson. My heart goes out to his wife Mary and the rest of the Thompson family. So honoured to have been able to call Peter my friend. RIP Peter
— Karrie Webb (@Karrie_Webb) June 20, 2018
R.I.P. Peter Thomson https://t.co/HPx9t8lUL5 pic.twitter.com/vgUBG1hwKA
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) June 20, 2018
Golf legend and media colleague Peter Thomson's death follows immediately after popular Olympic swim coach Ken Wood and bookmaker Eric Tymms, all prominent and valued names in my old contact book for very good reasons - a most melancholy week.
— ron reed (@reedrw) June 20, 2018
Vale Peter Thomson AO CBE, a legend of Australian sport and an Immortal of the PGA of Australia
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) June 20, 2018
Our thoughts are with his family at this timehttps://t.co/6v0RjOnp5l pic.twitter.com/JdbKmgdxgc
His record includes:
— Five British Opens (1954, ‘55, ‘56, ‘58, ‘65)
— Six PGA Tour wins
— 33 PGA Tour of Australasia wins
— 11 PGA Tour Champions wins
— Fifth at US Masters (1957)
— Tied fourth US Open (1956)
— World Golf Hall of Fame (1988)
— Arnold Palmer Award (1986)
He is survived by his wife Mary, son Andrew and daughters Deirdre Baker, Pan Prendergast and Fiona Stanway, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Originally published as Golfer Peter Thomson dies just shy of 89th birthday
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