Simon Thornton (born 18 March 1977) is an Irish professional golfer. He won the 2013 Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open on the European Tour.
Career Thornton was a late starter to golf, only taking up the sport in his late teens and turning professional at the advanced age of 28. He began as an assistant club professional at Royal County Down, playing in regional Irish PGA events, where his achievements included recording four straight monthly wins with the Ulster Golfers Alliance.Edenmore Golf Club He began playing on the Challenge Tour in 2009, finishing 51st before earning his European Tour card at qualifying school at the end of the season. His debut season on the full tour was unsuccessful, and he returned to the Challenge Tour for 2011, finishing in 12th position to secure a quick return to the European Tour. In June 2013 won the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open in France, beating Tjaart van der Walt at the first hole on a sudden-death playoff. His win gave him an exemption of the European Tour until the end of 2014. 2014 was, however, a poor season and in 2015 he played a mixture of European Tour and Challenge Tour events but failed to retain his card on either tour.
Professional wins (7) European Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up116 Jun 2013Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open1−5 (74-70-65-70=279)Playoff Tjaart van der Walt 1Dual-ranking event with the Challenge Tour
European Tour playoff record (1–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult12013Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open Tjaart van der WaltWon with par on first extra hole
Challenge Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up116 Jun 2013Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open1−5 (74-70-65-70=279)Playoff Tjaart van der Walt 1Dual-ranking event with the European Tour
Challenge Tour playoff record (1–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult12013Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open Tjaart van der WaltWon with par on first extra hole
PGA EuroPro Tour wins (2) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up120 Jun 2008Bovey Castle Championship−6 (70-68-66=204)4 strokes Noel Fox, Martin LeMesurier220 Aug 2021NI Masters−14 (60-72-67=199)2 strokes David Langley
Other wins (4) 2005 Ulster PGA Championship 2011 Irish PGA Championship 2018 Irish PGA Championship 2020 Irish PGA Championship
Team appearances Professional PGA Cup (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 2022, 2026 (winners)
See also 2009 European Tour Qualifying School graduates 2011 Challenge Tour graduates
References
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