This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
Featured here is Hale Irwin's 1986 U.S. Open Golf Championship contestant badge. Irwin won this prestigious event three times (1974, '79 & '90) during his illustrious career that earned him a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Of his 83 career wins, 20 came on the PGA Tour and a record 45 came on the Senior Tour. In a remarkable stretch from 1975 to '78 the University of Colorado Boulder product made the cut in 86 straight PGA events, the fourth longest streak ever. Ironically, Irwin missed the cut at the '86 Open played June 12-15 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (N.Y.), which makes this badge a rather unique memento from his career. In the end it was Raymond Floyd who became the oldest U.S. Open champion at age 43. In another twist of fate, Irwin would set the current record for oldest U.S. Open champ in 1990 when he did it at age 45.
There were 155 entries in the '86 U.S. Open and every player was issued his own badge like this one. The golden colored metallic badge is designed with a USGA-branded circular face surrounded by a red enamaled perimeter touting the name of the major event. This is attached to a rectangular nameplate/placard below with "1986" and a piece of white tape stamped "H.IRWIN". The reverse is unmarked with a clip feature instead of a traditional pin-back. It weighs 18 grams and measures 39 mm tall. Aside from some minor oxidation on the back, the badge remains in outstanding condition.