José María Cañizares (born 18 February 1947) is a Spanish golfer.
Early life Cañizares was born in Madrid.
Professional career In 1967, he turned professional. He made the top hundred on the European Tour Order of Merit every year from the first season in 1972 through to 1993. He placed in the top ten five times, with a best ranking of fourth in 1983. He won six events on the tour.
Cañizares was a member of four European Ryder Cup teams and had a record of 5 wins, 4 losses and two ties, including 2.5 points in four singles matches. In 1985 his singles victory over Fuzzy Zoeller rubber-stamped a European win that took the trophy from the Americans for the first time in 28 years. In 1989 his putt to beat Ken Green on the 18th at The Belfry ensured a 14–14 tie and keep the cup in European hands.
Cañizares won the World Cup team event for Spain on two occasions. In 1982, his partner was Manuel Piñero. In 1984, he teamed up with José Rivero, and on that occasion he also took the individual prize.
After becoming eligible for senior tournaments in 1997 Cañizares played mainly on the U.S.-based Champions Tour. He won once as a senior, at the 2001 Toshiba Senior Classic. In 2000 he had ten top ten finishes and set a then tour record for season earnings without a win of US$1,155,939. He also played a few times on the European Seniors Tour.
Personal life Cañizares' son Alejandro won a European Tour event in 2006 and a second one in 2014.
Professional wins (19)
European Tour wins (6) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up122 Oct 1972Lancia d'Oro−5 (69-70-75-73=287)Playoff Peter Townsend21 Jun 1980Avis Jersey Open +1 (71-67-71-72=281)2 strokes Steve Martin328 Sep 1980Bob Hope British Classic−19 (68-67-70-64=269)1 stroke Seve Ballesteros, Lee Trevino, Brian Waites43 May 1981Italian Open−8 (68-71-70-71=280)Playoff Bobby Clampett525 Sep 1983Bob Hope British Classic (2)−19 (70-65-68-66=269)1 stroke David Feherty65 Apr 1992Roma Masters−2 (72-71-69-74=286)Playoff Barry Lane
European Tour playoff record (3–3) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11972Lancia d'Oro Peter TownsendWon with birdie on fifth extra hole21981Italian Open Bobby ClampettWon with birdie on first extra hole31983Paco Rabanne Open de France Nick Faldo, David J. RussellFaldo won with par on third extra holeRussell eliminated by birdie on first hole41983Martini International Nick FaldoLost to par on third extra hole51985Cepsa Madrid Open Manuel PiñeroLost to birdie on fourth extra hole61992Roma Masters Barry LaneWon with birdie on second extra hole
Safari Circuit wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up111 Mar 1984555 Kenya Open−7 (69-72-69-67=277)Playoff David J. Russell
Other wins (11) 1970 Spanish Professional Closed Championship 1977 Memorial Olivier Barras, Spanish Professional Closed Championship 1978 Spanish Professional Closed Championship 1982 World Cup of Golf (team with Manuel Piñero), Spanish Professional Closed Championship 1984 World Cup of Golf (team with José Rivero), World Cup of Golf Individual Trophy 1988 Volvo Open (Spain) 1990 Benson & Hedges Trophy (with Tania Abitbol) 1991 Spanish Professional Closed Championship
Senior PGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up14 Mar 2001Toshiba Senior Classic−11 (65-70-67=202)Playoff Gil Morgan
Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–3) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11998Bell Atlantic Classic Jay SigelLost to birdie on third extra hole21999Southwestern Bell Dominion Bruce Fleisher, John MahaffeyMahaffey won with birdie on second extra holeFleisher eliminated by birdie on first hole32000ACE Group Classic Walter Hall, Lanny Wadkins, Tom WatsonWadkins won with par on third extra holeHall and Watson eliminated by par on first hole42001Toshiba Senior Classic Gil MorganWon with birdie on ninth extra hole
Results in major championships Tournament19751976197719781979The Open ChampionshipCUTPGA Championship Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989The Open ChampionshipCUTCUTT22CUTT36T11T11CUTCUTPGA ChampionshipCUT Tournament19901991199219931994The Open Championship72CUTCUTCUTPGA Championship Note: Cañizares never played in the Masters Tournament nor the U.S. Open.
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1975 and 1981 Open Championships) "T" = tied
Team appearances World Cup (representing Spain): 1974, 1980, 1982 (winners), 1983, 1984 (winners, individual winner), 1985, 1987, 1989 Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 1981, 1983, 1985 (winners), 1989 (tied, cup retained) Double Diamond International (representing Continental Europe): 1974 Sotogrande Match/Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Continent of Europe): 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, (representing Spain) 1984 Philip Morris International (representing Spain): 1975 Dunhill Cup (representing Spain): 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990 Praia d'El Rey European Cup: 1997 (winners) UBS Warburg Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 2001
References
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