Southern Open

{{confused|Western & Southern Open|Southern (Spring) Open|Columbus Southern Open}}

{{Infobox golf tournament

| name = Buick Challenge

| image =

| location = Pine Mountain, Georgia

| establishment = 1970

| final_year = 2002

| course = Callaway Gardens Resort

| par = 72

| yardage = {{convert|7057|yd|m}}

| tour = PGA Tour

| format = Stroke play

| purse = {{currency|3,700,000|USD}}

| month_played = October

| aggregate = 261 Jonathan Byrd (2002)

| to-par = −27 as above

| final_champion = {{flagicon|USA}} Jonathan Byrd

| map = USA#USA Georgia

| map_label = Callaway Gardens Resort

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

| map_relief = yes

| map_label_position =

| map_size = 200

| coordinates = {{coord|32.829|-84.843}}

}}

The Southern Open was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour from 1970 to 2002. It was played at the Green Island Country Club in Columbus, Georgia, from 1970 to 1990 and at the Callaway Gardens Resort (Mountain View Course), Pine Mountain, Georgia, from 1991 to 2002. It was founded in 1970 as the Green Island Open Invitational but was known for most of its existence as the Southern Open. The purse for the 2002 tournament was $3,700,000, with $666,000 going to the winner.

Tournament highlights

1970: Mason Rudolph wins the inaugural version of the tournament. He finishes two shots ahead of Chris Blocker.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5NhFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1r0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4261,5886254&dq=mason+rudolph+green+island&hl=en Rudolph claims Green Island title]
1971: Future World Golf Hall of Fame member Johnny Miller wins for the first time on the PGA Tour. He wins by five shots over Deane Beman.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dtBOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AgIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2899,5021811&dq=johnny+miller+southern+open&hl=en Hot Miller Wins in Southern Open]
1975: Hubert Green shoots a final round 64 to win by three shots over John Schroeder.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A4RUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AI8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6942,4144982&dq=hubert+green+southern+open&hl=en Hubert Green wins Southern Open]
1978: Jerry Pate becomes the one and only winner of the tournament to successfully defend his title. He beats Phil Hancock by one shot.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=h3k0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=AJ4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4842,3032965&dq=jerry+pate+southern+open&hl=en Jerry Pate wins Southern Open]
1981: Mike Sullivan looks poised to win back to back Southern Opens till J. C. Snead defeats him on the second hole of a sudden death playoff.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MtpMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LfsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2531,4617504&dq=jc+snead+southern+open&hl=en Snead wins Southern Open]
1983: Scottish golfer Sam Torrance who had never made a cut in ten previous PGA Tour appearances, tries tuning up for the Ryder Cup matches by participating in the Southern Open. Torrance nearly wins till Ronnie Black birdies the fourth playoff hole to take home the title.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mnsgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t2cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4844,1417228&dq=ronnie+black+southern+open&hl=en Torrance Falters; Black Captures Southern Open]
1986: Columbus, Georgia native and Monday qualifier Fred Wadsworth wins by two shots over George Archer, John Cook, Tim Simpson, and Jim Thorpe.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kbIvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RNsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3898,6144767&dq=fred+wadsworth+southern+open&hl=en Wadsworth wins Southern Open]
1990: Kenny Knox who was born in Columbus, Georgia and had lived there till he was sixteen, makes a birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Jim Hallet.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kbIvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RNsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3898,6144767&dq=fred+wadsworth+southern+open&hl=en Knox wins Southern Open in playoff duel with Hallet]
1993: The tournament has its first ever five-player playoff. John Inman makes a birdie on the second extra hole to defeat Billy Andrade, Bob Estes, Brad Bryant, and Mark Brooks.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pMJTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=14wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3905,2062755&dq=john+inman+southern+open&hl=en Inman wins in Southern Open playoff]
1996: For the second time in four years, the tournament winner is decided in a five-player playoff. Michael Bradley birdies the first hole of sudden death to beat defending champion Fred Funk, Len Mattiace, Davis Love III, and John Maginnes.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tmVAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b1YMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5964,5714177&dq=michael+bradley+buick&hl=en Bradley Wins Buick Challenge]
2001: Just like in 1981 and 1996, the defending champion loses in a playoff. This time it is David Duval who loses to Chris DiMarco on the first hole of sudden death.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=quoxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qY4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5464,6333900&dq=chris+dimarco+buick+challenge&hl=en DiMarco Beats Duval To Win Buick Challenge]
2002: Jonathan Byrd shoots a final round 63 to win the final edition of the tournament. He beats David Toms by one shot.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ubBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j9AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5739,4724822&dq=jonathan+byrd+buick+challenge&hl=en Byrd wins Buick Challenge]

Winners

colspan=7\|Buick Challenge
class=wikitable style="font-size:95%" !Year!!Winner!!Score!!To par!!Margin of victory!!Runner(s)-up
2002	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jonathan Byrd	align=center\|261	align=center\|−27	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Toms
2001	{{flagicon\|USA}} Chris DiMarco	align=center\|267	align=center\|−21	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Duval
2000	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Duval	align=center\|269	align=center\|−19	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jeff Maggert {{flagicon\|ZWE}} Nick Price
1999	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Toms	align=center\|271	align=center\|−17	3 strokes	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Stuart Appleby
1998	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Steve Elkington (2)	align=center\|267	align=center\|−21	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Funk
1997	{{flagicon\|USA}} Davis Love III	align=center\|270	align=center\|−18	4 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Stewart Cink
1996	{{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Bradley	align=center\|134{{efn\|Shortened to 36 holes due to weather.}}	align=center\|−10	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Funk {{flagicon\|USA}} Davis Love III {{flagicon\|USA}} John Maginnes {{flagicon\|USA}} Len Mattiace
1995	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Funk	align=center\|272	align=center\|−16	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} John Morse {{flagicon\|USA}} Loren Roberts
colspan=7\|Buick Southern Open
1994	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Steve Elkington	align=center\|200{{efn\|name=54rain\|Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.}}	align=center\|−16	5 strokes	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Steve Rintoul
1993	{{flagicon\|USA}} John Inman	align=center\|278	align=center\|−10	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Billy Andrade {{flagicon\|USA}} Mark Brooks {{flagicon\|USA}} Brad Bryant {{flagicon\|USA}} Bob Estes
1992	{{flagicon\|USA}} Gary Hallberg	align=center\|206{{efn\|name=54rain}}	align=center\|−10	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jim Gallagher Jr.
1991	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Peoples	align=center\|276	align=center\|−12	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Robert Gamez
1990	{{flagicon\|USA}} Kenny Knox	align=center\|265	align=center\|−15	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jim Hallet
colspan=7\|Southern Open
1989	{{flagicon\|USA}} Ted Schulz	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jay Haas {{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Simpson
1988	{{flagicon\|ZAF\|1982}} David Frost	align=center\|270	align=center\|−10	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Bob Tway
1987	{{flagicon\|SCO}} Ken Brown	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	7 strokes	{{flagicon\|ZAF\|1982}} David Frost {{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Hulbert {{flagicon\|USA}} Larry Mize
1986	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Wadsworth	align=center\|269	align=center\|−11	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} George Archer {{flagicon\|USA}} John Cook {{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Simpson {{flagicon\|USA}} Jim Thorpe
1985	{{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Simpson	align=center\|264	align=center\|−16	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Clarence Rose
1984	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hubert Green (2)	align=center\|265	align=center\|−15	6 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Rex Caldwell {{flagicon\|USA}} Scott Hoch {{flagicon\|USA}} Corey Pavin
1983	{{flagicon\|USA}} Ronnie Black	align=center\|271	align=center\|−9	Playoff	{{flagicon\|SCO}} Sam Torrance
1982	{{flagicon\|USA}} Bobby Clampett	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hale Irwin
1981	{{flagicon\|USA}} J. C. Snead	align=center\|271	align=center\|−9	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Sullivan
1980	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Sullivan	align=center\|269	align=center\|−11	5 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Dave Eichelberger {{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Miller
1979	{{flagicon\|USA}} Ed Fiori	align=center\|274	align=center\|−6	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Tom Weiskopf
1978	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jerry Pate (2)	align=center\|269	align=center\|−11	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Phil Hancock
1977	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jerry Pate	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	7 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Phil Hancock {{flagicon\|USA}} Mac McLendon {{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Miller {{flagicon\|USA}} Steve Taylor
1976	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mac McLendon	align=center\|274	align=center\|−6	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hubert Green
1975	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hubert Green	align=center\|264	align=center\|−16	3 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} John Schroeder
1974	{{flagicon\|USA}} Forrest Fezler	align=center\|271	align=center\|−9	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Bruce Crampton {{flagicon\|USA}} J. C. Snead
1973	{{flagicon\|ZAF\|1928}} Gary Player	align=center\|270	align=center\|−10	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Forrest Fezler
1972	{{flagicon\|USA}} DeWitt Weaver	align=center\|276	align=center\|−4	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Chuck Courtney
colspan=7\|Southern Open Invitational
1971	{{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Miller	align=center\|267	align=center\|−13	5 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Deane Beman
colspan=7\|Green Island Open Invitational
1970	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mason Rudolph	align=center\|274	align=center\|−6	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Chris Blocker

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.golfobserver.com/new/golfstats.php?style=&tour=PGA&name=&year=&tournament=Buick+Challenge&in=Search Tournament results from 1970 to 2002 at GolfObserver.com] - Click-on a year for scores and earnings of the particular year.
[http://www.golftoday.co.uk/tours/2002/buickchall/preview.html 2002 Tournament preview] - at GolfToday.co.uk

Category:Former PGA Tour events

Category:Golf tournaments in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:Sports in Columbus, Georgia

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1970

Category:Recurring sporting events disestablished in 2002

Category:1970 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:2002 disestablishments in Georgia (U.S. state)

colspan=7\|Buick Challenge
class=wikitable style="font-size:95%" !Year!!Winner!!Score!!To par!!Margin of victory!!Runner(s)-up
2002	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jonathan Byrd	align=center\|261	align=center\|−27	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Toms
2001	{{flagicon\|USA}} Chris DiMarco	align=center\|267	align=center\|−21	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Duval
2000	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Duval	align=center\|269	align=center\|−19	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jeff Maggert {{flagicon\|ZWE}} Nick Price
1999	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Toms	align=center\|271	align=center\|−17	3 strokes	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Stuart Appleby
1998	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Steve Elkington (2)	align=center\|267	align=center\|−21	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Funk
1997	{{flagicon\|USA}} Davis Love III	align=center\|270	align=center\|−18	4 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Stewart Cink
1996	{{flagicon\|USA}} Michael Bradley	align=center\|134{{efn\|Shortened to 36 holes due to weather.}}	align=center\|−10	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Funk {{flagicon\|USA}} Davis Love III {{flagicon\|USA}} John Maginnes {{flagicon\|USA}} Len Mattiace
1995	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Funk	align=center\|272	align=center\|−16	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} John Morse {{flagicon\|USA}} Loren Roberts
colspan=7\|Buick Southern Open
1994	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Steve Elkington	align=center\|200{{efn\|name=54rain\|Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.}}	align=center\|−16	5 strokes	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Steve Rintoul
1993	{{flagicon\|USA}} John Inman	align=center\|278	align=center\|−10	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Billy Andrade {{flagicon\|USA}} Mark Brooks {{flagicon\|USA}} Brad Bryant {{flagicon\|USA}} Bob Estes
1992	{{flagicon\|USA}} Gary Hallberg	align=center\|206{{efn\|name=54rain}}	align=center\|−10	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jim Gallagher Jr.
1991	{{flagicon\|USA}} David Peoples	align=center\|276	align=center\|−12	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Robert Gamez
1990	{{flagicon\|USA}} Kenny Knox	align=center\|265	align=center\|−15	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jim Hallet
colspan=7\|Southern Open
1989	{{flagicon\|USA}} Ted Schulz	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jay Haas {{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Simpson
1988	{{flagicon\|ZAF\|1982}} David Frost	align=center\|270	align=center\|−10	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Bob Tway
1987	{{flagicon\|SCO}} Ken Brown	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	7 strokes	{{flagicon\|ZAF\|1982}} David Frost {{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Hulbert {{flagicon\|USA}} Larry Mize
1986	{{flagicon\|USA}} Fred Wadsworth	align=center\|269	align=center\|−11	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} George Archer {{flagicon\|USA}} John Cook {{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Simpson {{flagicon\|USA}} Jim Thorpe
1985	{{flagicon\|USA}} Tim Simpson	align=center\|264	align=center\|−16	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Clarence Rose
1984	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hubert Green (2)	align=center\|265	align=center\|−15	6 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Rex Caldwell {{flagicon\|USA}} Scott Hoch {{flagicon\|USA}} Corey Pavin
1983	{{flagicon\|USA}} Ronnie Black	align=center\|271	align=center\|−9	Playoff	{{flagicon\|SCO}} Sam Torrance
1982	{{flagicon\|USA}} Bobby Clampett	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hale Irwin
1981	{{flagicon\|USA}} J. C. Snead	align=center\|271	align=center\|−9	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Sullivan
1980	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mike Sullivan	align=center\|269	align=center\|−11	5 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Dave Eichelberger {{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Miller
1979	{{flagicon\|USA}} Ed Fiori	align=center\|274	align=center\|−6	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Tom Weiskopf
1978	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jerry Pate (2)	align=center\|269	align=center\|−11	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Phil Hancock
1977	{{flagicon\|USA}} Jerry Pate	align=center\|266	align=center\|−14	7 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Phil Hancock {{flagicon\|USA}} Mac McLendon {{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Miller {{flagicon\|USA}} Steve Taylor
1976	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mac McLendon	align=center\|274	align=center\|−6	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hubert Green
1975	{{flagicon\|USA}} Hubert Green	align=center\|264	align=center\|−16	3 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} John Schroeder
1974	{{flagicon\|USA}} Forrest Fezler	align=center\|271	align=center\|−9	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|AUS}} Bruce Crampton {{flagicon\|USA}} J. C. Snead
1973	{{flagicon\|ZAF\|1928}} Gary Player	align=center\|270	align=center\|−10	1 stroke	{{flagicon\|USA}} Forrest Fezler
1972	{{flagicon\|USA}} DeWitt Weaver	align=center\|276	align=center\|−4	Playoff	{{flagicon\|USA}} Chuck Courtney
colspan=7\|Southern Open Invitational
1971	{{flagicon\|USA}} Johnny Miller	align=center\|267	align=center\|−13	5 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Deane Beman
colspan=7\|Green Island Open Invitational
1970	{{flagicon\|USA}} Mason Rudolph	align=center\|274	align=center\|−6	2 strokes	{{flagicon\|USA}} Chris Blocker