Hale Irwin - Part 7 (Senior Tour Majors)

In the seventh installment of our exclusive eight-part series with World Golf Hall of Fame legend Hale Irwin, we fast forward to the next chapter of his remarkable career—his unforgettable run on the PGA TOUR Champions. Hale reflects on turning 50 in 1995 and stepping into senior golf with the same fire and precision that defined his prime. In his own voice, he recounts celebrating his milestone birthday at a Wendy’s after a rain-delayed Memorial Tournament—and quickly pivoting to victory just weeks later.

Hale dives into his Champions Tour success, including his staggering 45 wins, highlighted by 11 straight seasons with multiple victories and a record-setting nine-win season in 1997. He shares the story behind his putting grip change at Walla Walla that led to a year-and-a-half of brilliance on the greens, and how rivals like Gil Morgan pushed him to reach new heights.

We revisit Irwin’s seven senior majors, including his dominant U.S. Senior Open wins and a 12-shot runaway at the PGA Senior Championship. He shares compelling stories of strategy, mental resilience, and even golfing with Sean Connery in celebrity events. Hale speaks candidly about how golf evolved with age—from burning ambition to deep appreciation—and how competition remained his driving force.

With insights into the camaraderie of the Champions Tour and the lasting impact of players like Bruce Devlin and David Graham, Hale paints a vivid picture of a time when golf wasn’t just a game—it was a second life. For fans of golf history and timeless storytelling, this is a masterclass from one of the game’s greatest.

Subscribe and listen as we approach the grand finale in Episode 8 of FORE the Good of the Game.

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About

"FORE the Good of the Game” is a golf podcast featuring interviews with World Golf Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around the game of golf. Highlighting the positive aspects of the game, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by PGA Tour star Bruce Devlin, our podcast focuses on telling their life stories, in their voices. Join Bruce and Mike Gonzalez “FORE the Good of the Game.”

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