Brian Claar
Encyclopedia
Brian J. Claar is an American professional golfer
.
Claar was born in Santa Monica, California
. He play college golf at the University of Tampa
where he was a two-time All-American. He was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Claar turned professional in 1981. He played on the PGA Tour
from 1986 to 1998. He was selected as the PGA Rookie of the Year in 1986. His best finish was a T-2 at the 1991 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He then played primarily on the Nationwide Tour
from 1999 to 2002. His best finishes on this tour were a pair of T-2s in 2002, a playoff loss at the Hershey Open
and T-2 at the Utah Classic.
Claar twice finished in the top-10 at a major
. At the 1989 U.S. Open, he finished fifth, two shots behind Curtis Strange
. At the 1992 PGA Championship
, he finished tied for ninth, six shots behind Nick Price
.
Claar has recently worked as Champions Tour
official.
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
.
Claar was born in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
. He play college golf at the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
where he was a two-time All-American. He was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Claar turned professional in 1981. He played on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
from 1986 to 1998. He was selected as the PGA Rookie of the Year in 1986. His best finish was a T-2 at the 1991 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He then played primarily on the Nationwide Tour
Nationwide Tour
The Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level...
from 1999 to 2002. His best finishes on this tour were a pair of T-2s in 2002, a playoff loss at the Hershey Open
Hershey Open
The Hershey Open was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour from 1933 to 1941. It was played at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pennsylvania on what is now called the West Course. It was played as a 72-hole stroke play event every year except 1938. That year, it was played as an 126-hole...
and T-2 at the Utah Classic.
Claar twice finished in the top-10 at a major
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
. At the 1989 U.S. Open, he finished fifth, two shots behind Curtis Strange
Curtis Strange
Curtis Northrup Strange is an American professional golfer. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He spent over 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between their debut in 1986 and 1990.-Early years through college:Strange and his...
. At the 1992 PGA Championship
1992 PGA Championship
The 1992 PGA Championship was the 74th PGA Championship held from August 13-16 at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. Nick Price won his first major championship by three strokes over John Cook, Nick Faldo, Jim Gallagher, Jr., and Gene Sauers....
, he finished tied for ninth, six shots behind Nick Price
Nick Price
Nicholas Raymond Leige Price is a South African-Zimbabwean Professional golfer and an inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Rankings.-Background:...
.
Claar has recently worked as Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
official.
Professional wins (3)
- 1983 Rhode Island OpenRhode Island OpenThe Rhode Island Open is the Rhode Island state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Rhode Island Golf Association...
- 1989 Hong Kong OpenHong Kong Open (golf)The Hong Kong Open is a golf tournament which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour. It was founded in 1959 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since 2001...
, Thailand OpenThailand Open (golf)The Thailand Open is a golf tournament. It was an Asian Tour event through 2009. In 2010, it will become part of the fledgling OneAsia Tour's schedule. It was founded in 1965.-Winners:-External links:*...