The pioneering superstar of European golf, Tony Jacklin CBE has signed to leading golf management agency Champions (UK) plc.
A figure who paved the way for the European Tour dominance of today, Jacklin made golfing history when he became the first British golfer in 18 years to win The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1969. The following season, Jacklin continued his history-making streak when he won his second major title by taking the U.S. Open Championship by seven strokes on a weather-beaten Hazeltine National Golf Club course. By doing so, Jacklin became the first British player to win the championship since Ted Ray in 1920 and he remained the only European player to have won the championship until 2010, when Graeme McDowell ended the streak.
During the 1980s, Jacklin extended his achievements as a player into his role as captain of the European Ryder Cup team. By restoring pride in the locker room and radically professionalising the whole approach taken to the event, he led the Europeans to a landmark victory in 1985 at The Belfry, their first for 28 years. In 1987, Jacklin’s team went even further, achieving something that had never been done previously by beating the Americans on their own home soil at Muirfield Village in Ohio.
Champions (UK) plc Managing Director Matthew Hayes commented:
“It is no exaggeration to say that the massive achievements of European golf over the last few decades would not have been possible were it not for the achievements of Tony Jacklin. Many people don’t realise that when he won his major championships, there was no European Tour. It wasn’t founded until 1972. Jacklin really was Europe’s first golfing superstar, a pioneer who did more to raise the profile and standards than any other individual. We’re extremely proud to be managing him as part of our stable of elite golfing talent.”
In recent years, Jacklin has become a familiar face in television and other media appearances, including at The Ryder Cup and The Open Championship. Along with his great friend Jack Nicklaus, he has also built one of the most respected new golf courses in the world, The Concession Club in Florida. Named after the magnificent sporting gesture when Jack Nicklaus conceded a putt to Jacklin in the 1969 Ryder Cup, The Concession has become a great sporting brand and was named as the best new private club in by Golf Digest magazine.
Based in Leicestershire, Champions (UK) plc are one of golf’s biggest success stories, having become a leading golf management agency through their dedication and meticulous approach. Working hard to provide all their players with everything they need to succeed at the highest level, they have enjoyed great success in recent years, with current Race 2 Dubai leader Scott Jamieson, three time winner on the European Senior Tour Gary Wolstenholme MBE, European Tour Stalwart Graeme Storm and former World Cup Winner Marc Warren all currently on their books. The company continues to go from strength to strength, with former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker joining the team recently as player manager. Another recent signing is two time winner on the European Tour Mark Mouland, who is currently embarking on his first season on the Champions Tour in the USA.