Des Smyth


Desmond John Smyth is an Irish professional golfer. He won eight times on the European Tour between 1979 and 2001. He also had a successful senior career winning twice on the Champions Tour and five times on the European Senior Tour between 2005 and 2012. He played in two Ryder Cup matches, 1979 and 1981.

Professional career

Smyth turned professional in 1974 and was a member of the European Tour for over a quarter of a century. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was seventh in 1988. He won eight tournaments on the tour across four different decades, breaking Neil Coles' record as the oldest man to win a European Tour event when he claimed the 2001 Madeira Island Open at the age of 48 years and 34 days. This record was broken by Miguel Ángel Jiménez at the 2012 UBS Hong Kong Open.
Smyth represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 1979 and 1981, losing on both occasions to the United States. Smyth also represented his country in the World Cup and the Alfred Dunhill Cup many times and was a member of the Irish team which won the latter in 1988. At the 2006 Ryder Cup, he was one of Ian Woosnam's vice-captains.
After turning fifty in 2003, Smyth had a successful career in senior golf, winning tournaments on both the Champions Tour and the European Senior Tour.
Smyth is the only golfer to win European Tour events in 4 different decades.

Personal life

Smyth has a son, Greg, a horticultural student at IT Blanchardstown. Greg won Ireland's eighth largest lottery jackpot of €9,426,636 on 13 August 2008.

Amateur wins

European Tour wins (8)

European Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11980Cold Shield Greater Manchester Open Brian WaitesWon with birdie on sixth extra hole
21982Jersey Open Eamonn Darcy, Bernard GallacherGallacher won with par on fifth extra hole
Darcy eliminated by birdie on second hole
31984Sanyo Open Sam TorranceLost to par on first extra hole
41986Whyte & Mackay PGA Championship Rodger DavisLost to bogey on third extra hole
51988BNP Jersey Open Roger ChapmanWon with birdie on fifth extra hole

Other wins (9)

Champions Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
12005Senior British Open Tom WatsonLost to par on third extra hole

European Senior Tour wins (5)

European Senior Tour playoff record
No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
12005Senior British Open Tom WatsonLost to par on third extra hole
22011Cannes Mougins Masters Juan QuirósLost to birdie on second extra hole

Other senior wins (2)

Note: Smyth only played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut
DQ = Disqualified
"T" = tied

Team appearances