Forty years ago today the first drive of The European Tour was struck when the 1972 Open de España got under way on April 12. Here are a few stats highlights from the last four decades.
FIRST EVENT
Open de España - began April 12, 1972, played at Pals Golf Club and won by Antonio Garrido, beating Valentin Barrios in a play-off
NUMBER OF OFFICIAL EUROPEAN TOUR EVENTS
1,384
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES TO HAVE WON ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR
35
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO STAGE EUROPEAN TOUR EVENTS
38
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT EUROPEAN TOUR WINNERS
402
AMOUNT OF OFFICIAL PRIZE MONEY PLAYED FOR
€ 1,732,068,862
NUMBER OF PLAY-OFFS
254
NUMBER OF HOLES-IN-ONE
780
NUMBER OF ALBATROSSES
79
MOST EUROPEAN TOUR OFFICIAL VICTORIES
50- Seve Ballesteros
MOST ORDERS OF MERIT
8 – Colin Montgomerie
MOST EUROPEAN OFFICIAL EVENTS PLAYED
706 - Sam Torrance
LEADER OF EUROPEAN TOUR OFFICIAL CAREER EARNINGS
€27,275,465 - Lee Westwood
YOUNGEST EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER
17 years and 188 days -
Matteo Manassero - 2010 CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar
OLDEST EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER
48 years and 34 days
Des Smyth - 2001 Madeira Islands Open
AMATEUR WINNERS ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR
2007 Estoril Open de Portugal - Pablo Martin
2009 - Johnnie Walker Classic - Danny Lee
2009 - 3 Irish Open - Shane Lowry
FATHER/SON TO WIN ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Antonio/Igancio Garrido
Craig/Kevin Stadler
José Maria/Alejandro Cañizares
BROTHERS TO WIN ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Antonio/German Garrido
Seve/Manuel Ballesteros
Edoardo/Francesco Molinari
MOST CONSECUTIVE EUROPEAN TOUR CUTS MADE
82 - Ernie Els
MOST EUROPEAN TOUR TOP TEN FINISHES
183 - Colin Montgomerie
MOST OFFICIAL EUROPEAN TOUR EVENTS IN THE MONEY
510 - Sam Torrance
LOWEST EUROPEAN TOUR 72 HOLE TOTAL
258 (-18) - Ian Woosnam - 1990 Torras Monte Carlo Open
258 (-14) - David Llewellyn - 1988 AGF Biarritz Open
LOWEST EUROPEAN TOUR 72 HOLES UNDER PAR
259 (-29) - Ernie Els - 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic
