University of Minnesota Athletics
Tom Lehman - M Club Hall of Fame
Men’s Golf, 1978-81
HOF Class of 2002
A Minnesotan born in Austin and raised in Alexandria, Tom Lehman arrived in 1978 at the University of Minnesota, where he became a three-time All-American and All-Big Ten golfer.
He won the 1981 Minnesota Amateur title, graduated and turned pro in 1982, and played nomadically for several years until 1993, when he finished third in the Masters and won the Casio World Open in Japan.
Lehman finished second in the 1994 Masters and enjoyed his first PGA Tour victory, the Memorial. The next year he won the Colonial with a tournament-record 20-under-par, finished third in the U.S. Open, and was selected a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
In 1996, Lehman won his first Major, the British Open. He finished second in the U.S. Open, won the Vardon Trophy with a 69.32 scoring average, was PGA Player of the Year, and played on the President’s Cup Team. He had become one of golf’s biggest draws.
Lehman has played in more than 400 PGA tournaments, won five titles, finished second 18 times, placed third 8 times, and has had 90 top-10 finishes. He has earned more than $18 million, and in 2006 was selected to be captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.