Born: October 18, 1965
Birthplace: Galesburg, Illinois
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Turned Pro: 1987
Bio
Todd Hamilton is a player whose name you could be hearing a lot of in the upcoming years. The 2004 Rookie of the Year captured two titles in his first full season on the PGA Tour and should prove to be more than just a flash in the pan.
Hamilton started the year off right, at The Honda Classic in March he birdied the 17th and 18th holes on Sunday to edge Davis Love III by a single shot. He followed that up in dramatic fashion by defeating Ernie Els in a four hole playoff at Royal Troon to win The Open Championship.
Although a rookie on the PGA Tour in 2004, Hamilton is certainly no stranger to professional golf. After turning pro in 1987 Hamilton spent more than ten years on the Japan Tour winning the Order of Merit in 1992 and capturing fourteen victories worldwide.
Finally in 2003, in his eighth attempt, Todd Hamilton made it through PGA Q-School with full exempt status for the 2004 season. He definitely made the most of it finishing 11th on the money list with over $3 million in earnings and gaining full exempt status through the 2009 season.
Quick Facts
PGA TOUR Victories
(2) 2004 The Honda Classic, British Open Championship.
International Victories
(14): 1992 Singapore Rolex Masters [Asia], Maekyung Open [Asia], Maruman Open [Jpn]. 1993 Acom International [Jpn]. 1994 PGA Philanthropy [Jpn], Japan PGA Matchplay Championship [Jpn], Thailand Open [Asia]. 1995 Token Corporation Cup [Jpn]. 1996 Japan PGA Philanthropy [Jpn]. 1998 Gene Sarazen Jun Classic [Jpn]. 2003 Fujisankei Classic [Jpn], Diamond Cup [Jpn], Gateway to the Mizuno Open [Jpn], Japan PGA Matchplay Championship [Jpn].
Equipment
Looking into Todd Hamilton's bag you certainly wouldn't know that he is a Taylor Made staff player. In fact he only plays one Taylor Made club while the rest of the bag is an assortment of different brands.
Hamilton started the season using a Taylor Made R510 TP driver with a Fujikura Speeder 757 shaft. This is the club that was used to help him win The Honda Classic. By the time the British Open came around this had been switched to a Taylor Made R540 XD TP model. This is a prototype model that is actually more along the lines of the old 540 with a larger head. He used this club with 9.5 degrees loft and a Fujikura Pro 95 shaft. Since early in the fall Hamilton has switched again. He is now playing the Taylor Made R7 Quad TP driver, also with 9.5 degrees of loft and the Fujikura Pro 95 shaft.
Todd Hamilton is one key reason that Sonartec is enjoying some sales success right now. They have used his victory at The Open Championship as a big marketing tool for their Sonartec Md hybrid club. Hamilton uses a 17 degree Md, although the loft is actually bent to 14 degrees, with a UST Irod shaft. This is the club that he used off the tee, off the fairway, and even for chipping around the greens. That unforgettable up and down he made on the last playoff hole was made with this club.
The irons in the bag are the Mizuno MP-33 from 2-iron to PW. This is the forged muscle back club that they have had on the market for the last several years. It is a very traditional looking club with the fantastic feel that all Mizuno irons seem to have. The MP-33 does produce a slightly higher ball-flight compared to other muscle back irons. Hamilton also plays the Cleveland 588 series wedges in 56 and 60 degrees. He uses the new Tour Satin Chrome finish designed to reduce glare off the face but not rust like the older RTG models.
The putter that has helped Hamilton to such a great season is a classic Ping design. It is the B60 model, solid steel, with no insert in the face.
Like just about every other pro he uses the Titleist ProV1 golf ball.