AT&T Classic
The AT&T Classic was a regular golf tournament on the PGA Tour. AT&T was the last title sponsor of the tournament. The tournament was founded in 1967 as the Atlanta Classic although previous events dating to 1934 are included in the PGA Tour's past winners list. From 1967 to 1996, it was played at the Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, northwest of Atlanta. From 1997 to 2008, it was played over the Stables and Meadows Courses at the TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, northeast of Atlanta. This event is not to be confused with the AT&T Champions Classic played in Valencia, California, a Champions Tour tournament which bore the "AT&T Classic" name in 2006, prior to AT&T's acquisition of BellSouth.
For many years the Atlanta tournament was usually held in May. From 1999–2006, it was played in early April, the week before the Masters. In 2007 and 2008, it was held in mid-May, concluding on the third Sunday of the month, a week after the Players Championship (which was moved from late March). The tournament was cancelled after the 2008 season.[1]
Winners
AT&T Classic
BellSouth Classic
BellSouth Atlanta Golf Classic
Georgia-Pacific Atlanta Golf Classic
Atlanta Classic
Atlanta Open
Atlanta Invitational
Atlanta Open
Tournament highlights
- 1967: Bob Charles wins the first modern era PGA Tour event played in Atlanta. He finishes two shots ahead of Gardner Dickinson, Tommy Bolt, and Dick Crawford.[2]
- 1968; Bob Lunn is victorious for the second straight week on the PGA Tour. He wins by three shots over Lee Trevino.[3]
- 1970: Georgia native Tommy Aaron wins by one shot over Dan Sikes.[4] Tom Weiskopf came to the 72nd hole tied with Aaron but closed with a double bogey.
- 1972: Bob Lunn becomes the tournament's first repeat winner. He beats Gary Player by two shots.[5]
- 1977: Hale Irwin becomes the first Atlanta champion to successfully defend his title. He beats Steve Veriato by two shots.[6]
- 1979: Andy Bean shoots a third round 61 on his way to a 8-stroke victory over Joe Inman.[7]
- 1980: Georgian Larry Nelson wins by seven shots over Don Pooley and defending champion Andy Bean.[8]
- 1983: Calvin Peete shoots a final round 63, including a hole out for birdie from a bunker on the 71st hole. He wins by two shots over Chip Beck, Jim Colbert, and Don Pooley.[9]
- 1986: Bob Tway shoots a final round 64 to win by two shots over Hal Sutton.[10]
- 1988 Larry Nelson birdies the 72nd hole to become a two-time winner of the tournament. He edges Chip Beck by one shot.[11]
- 1990: Wayne Levi birdies the 72nd hole in near darkness to earn his first PGA Tour win in five years. He finishes one shot ahead of Nick Price, Keith Clearwater, and Larry Mize.[12]
- 1992: Tom Kite begins the final round bogey-bogey before making six consecutive birdies on his way to a three shot victory over Jay Don Blake.[13] Amateur David Duval, a junior at Georgia Tech held the 54 hole lead[14] by two strokes before shooting a final round 79 to finish T13.[15]
- 1994: John Daly wins by one shot over Brian Henninger and defending champion Nolan Henke. Afterwards Daly says "This is the first tournament I've won on the PGA Tour in a sober fashion."[16]
- 1996: Sixth alternate Paul Stankowski birdies the first sudden death playoff hole to defeat Brandel Chamblee.[17]
- 1998: Tiger Woods notches his only victory of the year in Atlanta. He finishes one shot ahead of Jay Don Blake.[18]
- 2000: Phil Mickelson wins for the first time in Atlanta. He birdies the first hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Gary Nicklaus.[19]
- 2003: Ben Crane shoots a final round 63 to win by four shots over Bob Tway.[20]
- 2007: Zach Johnson seems to like playing golf in Georgia. His third career PGA Tour victory like his first two, the 2004 BellSouth Classic and the 2007 Masters Tournament take place in the state. He defeats Ryuji Imada on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.[21]
- 2008: The last version of the tournament sees Ryuji Imada win in a sudden death playoff over Kenny Perry.[22]
References
External links