Buick Open

{{short description|Golf tournament formerly on the PGA Tour}}

{{Infobox golf tournament

| name = Buick Open

| image =

| location = Grand Blanc, Michigan

| establishment = 1958

| course = Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club

| par = 72

| yardage = {{convert|7085|yd|m}}

| tour = PGA Tour

| format = Stroke play

| purse = {{currency|5,100,000|USD}}

| month_played = July/August

| final_year = 2009

| aggregate = 262 Robert Wrenn (1987)

| to-par = −26 as above

| final_champion = {{flagicon|USA}} Tiger Woods

| coordinates = {{coord|42.901|-83.599}}

| map = United States#USA Michigan

| map_label = Warwick Hills G&CC

| map_caption = Location in the United States##Location in Michigan

| map_relief = yes

| map_label_position =

| map_size = 200px

}}

The Buick Open was a PGA Tour golf tournament from 1958 to 2009. In 2007, the tournament was held at the end of June, a change from its traditional spot between The Open Championship and the PGA Championship. Regardless, many prominent players used it as a "tune-up" for the subsequent major.

For the event's first decade, the Buick Open Invitational was played at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan. After 1969, professional golf events in the area fell off the PGA Tour schedule and a series of pro-ams and other similarly unofficial events took place, mostly at Flint Golf Club in Flint, Michigan.

Flint native, and PGA touring professional Larry Mancour had returned to Michigan to play in the Buick Open and stayed to build the Grand Blanc Golf Club. He then added nine holes at the Flint Elks Golf Club where he remained the professional for 20 years. He rescued the Buick Open when General Motors dropped sponsorship of the tournament. With local Buick dealers Mancour started the Little Buick Open in 1969. It drew players and fans and led to the rebirth of the Buick Open in 1977.

The Buick Open officially made its return to the PGA Tour in 1977 at the Flint Elks Club, and in 1978 the event returned to Warwick Hills G&CC, where it remained until its demise.

The Associated Press reported July 28, 2009, that General Motors would end its sponsorship of the Buick Open after the 2009 tournament, in order to devote its marketing resources to cars and trucks.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/07/28/business/AP-US-GM-Buick-Open.html|title=AP Source: GM to End Sponsorship of Buick Open|access-date=2009-07-28 | work=The New York Times}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}} (Defunct prior to 7/10) The PGA Tour replaced the tournament with the Greenbrier Classic at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=alP1B._OcLr4|title=Greenbrier Classic Announcement|access-date=2009-08-05 | work=Bloomberg|date=2009-08-05}}

As in the 1970s, a series of pro-ams and other unofficial events now take place in Grand Blanc, with the AJGA's Randy Wise Open taking place at Warwick Hills and most pro-ams and a golf festival at the Jewel of Grand Blanc (the former Grand Blanc Golf Club).

In 2014, an unrelated tournament with the same name was started in China. The event is played on PGA Tour China.

In 2018, the former General Motors financing arm, now Ally Bank, returned to Warwick Hills to sponsor a PGA Tour Champions event, The Ally Challenge. Jim Furyk (2003, 2020) and Vijay Singh (2004, 2005, 2023) have won both events.

Long hitters

In its final years, the tournament was dominated by long hitters. Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Brian Bateman, and Kenny Perry combined for eight wins in its final nine years. Several other players ranked highly in driving distance finished second during that span, including Woods, Jason Gore, Geoff Ogilvy, Bubba Watson, and John Daly.{{cite web|url=http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r035/winners.html|title=Buick Open Winners|access-date=2008-06-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907040858/http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r035/winners.html|archive-date=2012-09-07}}

Winners

class=wikitable style="font-size:95%"

!Year!!Tour{{efn|PGAT − PGA Tour.}}!!Winner!!Score!!To par!!Margin of
victory!!Runner(s)-up!!Winner's
share ($)

colspan=8|Buick Open
2009PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tiger Woods (3)align=center|268align=center|−203 strokes{{flagicon|AUS}} Greg Chalmers
{{flagicon|AUS}} John Senden
{{flagicon|USA}} Roland Thatcher
align=center|918,000
2008PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Kenny Perry (2)align=center|269align=center|−191 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Woody Austin
{{flagicon|USA}} Bubba Watson
align=center|900,000
2007PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Brian Batemanalign=center|273align=center|−151 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Woody Austin
{{flagicon|USA}} Jason Gore
{{flagicon|USA}} Justin Leonard
align=center|882,000
2006PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tiger Woods (2)align=center|264align=center|−243 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Furykalign=center|864,000
2005PGAT{{flagicon|FIJ}} Vijay Singh (3)align=center|264align=center|−244 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Zach Johnson
{{flagicon|USA}} Tiger Woods
align=center|828,000
2004PGAT{{flagicon|FIJ}} Vijay Singh (2)align=center|265align=center|−231 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} John Dalyalign=center|810,000
2003PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Furykalign=center|267align=center|−212 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Briny Baird
{{flagicon|USA}} Chris DiMarco
{{flagicon|AUS}} Geoff Ogilvy
{{flagicon|USA}} Tiger Woods
align=center|720,000
2002PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tiger Woodsalign=center|271align=center|−174 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Fred Funk
{{flagicon|USA}} Brian Gay
{{flagicon|USA}} Mark O'Meara
{{flagicon|MEX}} Esteban Toledo
align=center|594,000
2001PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Kenny Perryalign=center|263align=center|−252 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Chris DiMarco
{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Furyk
align=center|558,000
2000PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Rocco Mediatealign=center|268align=center|−201 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Chris Perryalign=center|486,000
1999PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Pernice Jr.align=center|270align=center|−181 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Lehman
{{flagicon|USA}} Ted Tryba
{{flagicon|USA}} Bob Tway
align=center|432,000
1998PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Mayfairalign=center|271align=center|−172 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Scott Verplankalign=center|324,000
1997PGAT{{flagicon|FIJ}} Vijay Singhalign=center|273align=center|−154 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Byrum
{{flagicon|USA}} Russ Cochran
{{flagicon|ZAF}} Ernie Els
{{flagicon|USA}} Brad Fabel
{{flagicon|JPN|1947}} Naomichi Ozaki
{{flagicon|USA}} Curtis Strange
align=center|270,000
1996PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Justin Leonardalign=center|266align=center|−225 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Chip Beckalign=center|216,000
1995PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Woody Austinalign=center|270align=center|−18Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Briskyalign=center|216,000
1994PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Fred Couplesalign=center|270align=center|−182 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Corey Pavinalign=center|198,000
1993PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Larry Mizealign=center|272align=center|−161 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Fuzzy Zoelleralign=center|180,000
1992PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Dan Forsmanalign=center|276align=center|−12Playoff{{flagicon|AUS}} Steve Elkington
{{flagicon|USA}} Brad Faxon
align=center|180,000
1991PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Brad Faxonalign=center|271align=center|−17Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Chip Beckalign=center|180,000
1990PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Chip Beckalign=center|272align=center|−161 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Donald
{{flagicon|USA}} Hale Irwin
{{flagicon|USA}} Fuzzy Zoeller
align=center|180,000
1989PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Leonard Thompsonalign=center|273align=center|−151 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Andrade
{{flagicon|USA}} Payne Stewart
{{flagicon|USA}} Doug Tewell
align=center|180,000
1988PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Scott Verplankalign=center|268align=center|−202 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Doug Tewellalign=center|126,000
1987PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Robert Wrennalign=center|262align=center|−267 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Dan Pohlalign=center|108,000
1986PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Ben Crenshawalign=center|270align=center|−181 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} J. C. Snead
{{flagicon|USA}} Doug Tewell
align=center|90,000
1985PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Ken Greenalign=center|268align=center|−204 strokes{{flagicon|AUS}} Wayne Gradyalign=center|81,000
1984PGAT{{flagicon|ZIM}} Denis Watsonalign=center|271align=center|−171 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Payne Stewartalign=center|72,000
1983PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Wayne Levialign=center|272align=center|−161 stroke{{flagicon|JPN|1947}} Isao Aoki
{{flagicon|USA}} Calvin Peete
align=center|63,000
1982PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Lanny Wadkinsalign=center|273align=center|−151 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Kitealign=center|63,000
1981PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Hale Irwinalign=center|277align=center|−11Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Bobby Clampett
{{flagicon|USA}} Peter Jacobsen
{{flagicon|USA}} Gil Morgan
align=center|63,000
colspan=8|Buick-Goodwrench Open
1980PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Peter Jacobsenalign=center|276align=center|−121 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Kratzert
{{flagicon|USA}} Mark Lye
align=center|45,000
1979PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} John Foughtalign=center|280align=center|−8Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Simonsalign=center|27,000
1978PGAT{{flagicon|AUS}} Jack Newtonalign=center|280align=center|−8Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Sullivanalign=center|20,000
colspan=8|Buick Open
1977PGAT{{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} Bobby Colealign=center|271align=center|−171 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Fred Martialign=center|20,000
1976{{flagicon|USA}} Ed Saboalign=center|279align=center|−9Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Randy Erskinealign=center|12,000
1975{{flagicon|USA}} Spike Kelleyalign=center|208align=center|−81 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Randy Erskine
{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Marshall
{{flagicon|USA}} Mike McCullough
align=center|4,200
colspan=8|Flint Elks Open
1974{{flagicon|USA}} Bryan Abbottalign=center|136align=center|−8Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Joe Porteralign=center|2,000
colspan=8|Lake Michigan Classic
1973{{flagicon|CAN}} Wilf Homenuikalign=center|215align=center|−1Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Ferriellalign=center|3,200
colspan=8|Vern Parsell Buick Open
1972{{flagicon|USA}} Gary Grohalign=center|273align=center|−152 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} John Mahaffeyalign=center|4,000
colspan=8|Buick Open Invitational
colspan=8 align=center|1970–1971: No tournament
1969PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Dave Hillalign=center|277align=center|−112 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Frank Beardalign=center|25,000
1968PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Weiskopfalign=center|280align=center|−81 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Hillalign=center|25,000
1967PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Julius Boros (2)align=center|283align=center|−53 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Bob Goalby
{{flagicon|USA}} R. H. Sikes
{{flagicon|USA}} Bert Yancey
align=center|20,000
1966PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Phil Rodgersalign=center|284align=center|−42 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Pott
{{flagicon|USA}} Kermit Zarley
align=center|20,000
1965PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tony Lema (2)align=center|280align=center|−82 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Pottalign=center|20,000
1964PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Tony Lemaalign=center|277align=center|−111 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Dow Finsterwaldalign=center|8,000
1963PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Julius Borosalign=center|274align=center|−145 strokes{{flagicon|USA}} Dow Finsterwaldalign=center|9,000
1962PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Bill Collinsalign=center|284align=center|−41 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Dave Raganalign=center|9,000
1961PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Jack Burke Jr.align=center|284align=center|−4Playoff{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Casper
{{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Pott
align=center|9,000
1960PGAT{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Souchakalign=center|282align=center|−61 stroke{{flagicon|USA}} Gay Brewer
{{flagicon|USA}} Art Wall Jr.
align=center|9,000
1959PGAT{{flagicon|USA|1959}} Art Wall Jr.align=center|282align=center|−6Playoff{{flagicon|USA|1959}} Dow Finsterwaldalign=center|9,000
1958PGAT{{flagicon|USA|1912}} Billy Casperalign=center|285align=center|−31 stroke{{flagicon|USA|1912}} Ted Kroll
{{flagicon|USA|1912}} Arnold Palmer
align=center|9,000

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}