Ernie Gonzalez (February 19, 1961 – May 15, 2020) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1980s. He won the only title of his career in 1986. By doing so, he became only the third left-handed golfer to win a Tour event.
Early life and amateur career Gonzalez was born in Chula Vista, California, a suburb of San Diego, on February 19, 1961. His father was of Mexican descent and his mother was Puerto Rican.
Gonzalez attended the United States International University, where he played on the golf team.
Professional career In 1983, Gonzalez turned professional.
Gonzalez played full-time on the PGA Tour from 1985 to 1989. He shot a 14-under-par 128 to edge Joey Sindelar by one stroke to win the rain-shortened 36-hole Pensacola Open in 1986 for his only Tour victory. The win by Gonzalez was the first by a left-handed golfer on the PGA Tour since Bob Charles at the 1974 Greater Greensboro Open. He also became only the third left-hander ever to win an event on Tour, after Charles and Sam Adams.
Gonzalez was friends with Phil Mickelson, a fellow left-hander and San Diegan. In 1988, Gonzalez's penultimate season on the Tour, he helped organize a practice round for Mickelson with Seve Ballesteros. This occurred during Mickelson's first PGA Tour event at the Shearson Lehman Hutton Andy Williams Open, where Mickelson entered as an amateur.
After losing his Tour card, Gonzalez worked as a golf instructor and a warehouseman at Wirtz Beverage Nevada. He has also played in a limited number of Nationwide Tour events, and in select PGA Tour events using exemptions. He lived with his family in Las Vegas, where he was employed at a beverage distributorship. The only event on the PGA Tour Champions that he participated in after turning 50 was the 2011 Senior Open Championship. However, he did not make the cut.
Personal life Gonzalez was married to Judy. Their son, David, was born in 1992, and Gonzalez later became teetotal to set a good example for him. His nephew was Brian Smock, who also played on the PGA Tour. Gonzalez was a Christian and attended Shadow Hills Baptist Church.
Gonzalez died on May 15, 2020, at a hospital in Chicago. He was 59, and had been suffering from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Professional wins (2) PGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up1Oct 12, 1986Pensacola Open−14 (65-63=128)1 stroke Joey Sindelar
Canadian Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunners-up1Aug 26, 1990Canadian Tournament Players Championship−10 (70-66-71-67=274)1 stroke Dave Barr, Gene Elliott
Results in major championships Tournament 1987Masters TournamentCUTU.S. OpenCUTPGA ChampionshipCUT CUT = missed the half-way cut Note: Gonzalez never played in The Open Championship. Source:
Results in The Players Championship Tournament 1987The Players ChampionshipCUT CUT = missed the half-way cut
See also 1984 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates 1985 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates
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