Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ben Crenshaw

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 9, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ben Crenshaw made an impact.

Ben Crenshaw, nicknamed "Gentle Ben", is a retired American professional golfer renowned for his success on the PGA Tour. He secured 19 tour victories, highlighted by two major championships at the Masters Tournament in 1984 and 1995. His career solidified his place as a prominent figure in golf.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1971: NCAA Championship Win

In 1971, Ben Crenshaw won one of his three NCAA Championships while playing golf at the University of Texas.

1973: NCAA Championship Win

In 1973, Ben Crenshaw won one of his three NCAA Championships while playing golf at the University of Texas.

1973: Turned Professional

In 1973, at the age of 21, Ben Crenshaw turned professional and played his first PGA Tour event as a pro in mid-August at the USI Classic in Sutton, Massachusetts.

1976: Top Ten in World Golf Rankings

From 1976, Crenshaw was among the top ten on McCormack's World Golf Rankings.

1976: Irish Open Win

In 1976, Crenshaw won the Irish Open, showcasing his talent internationally.

1978: Runner-Up at Australian Open

In 1978, Crenshaw finished runner-up at the Australian Open on the Australasian Tour.

October 1979: Walt Disney World National Team Championship Win

In October 1979, Ben Crenshaw, together with his teammate George Burns, won the Walt Disney World National Team Championship in Orlando.

1979: Runner-up Finish at PGA Championship

In 1979, Crenshaw had a runner-up finish in a sudden-death playoff at the PGA Championship.

1981: Top Ten in World Golf Rankings

Until 1981, Crenshaw was among the top ten on McCormack's World Golf Rankings.

1982: Runner-Up at Australian PGA Championship

In 1982, Crenshaw finished runner-up at the Australian PGA Championship on the Australasian Tour.

1984: Masters Tournament Win

In 1984, Ben Crenshaw won the Masters Tournament, marking a significant achievement in his career.

1986: Coore & Crenshaw Founded

Since 1986, Crenshaw has been a legal partner with Bill Coore in Coore & Crenshaw, a golf course design firm.

1987: Top Ten Finishes in All Four Majors

In 1987, Crenshaw finished in the top ten of all four major championships without winning any of them.

1988: World Cup of Golf Titles

In 1988, Crenshaw won individual and team titles in the World Cup of Golf.

1989: Top Ten in Official World Golf Ranking

Until 1989, Crenshaw spent 80 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

1995: Second Masters Tournament Victory

In 1995, Ben Crenshaw achieved an emotional second Masters victory, which occurred a week after the death of his mentor, Harvey Penick.

1995: Masters Win with No Three-Putt

In 1995, when winning the Masters, "Gentle Ben" did not record a single three-putt during the tournament, highlighting his putting skills.

1999: Ryder Cup Captaincy

In 1999, Crenshaw captained the United States Ryder Cup team, facing criticism initially but ultimately credited for inspiring the team's comeback victory.