Mark Lye
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Mark Ryan Lye (born November 13, 1952) is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour.
Lye was born in Vallejo, California. He attended San Jose State University, where he was a three-time All-American as a member of the golf team. He graduated in 1975 and turned pro later that year. He joined the PGA Tour in 1977.
Lye made the cut in 332 of 486 career starts in PGA Tour events in an 18-year career, which included 40 top-10 finishes. His lone victory in an official PGA Tour event came in 1983 at the Bank of Boston Classic. In that tournament, he came from 8 strokes down on the final day including birdies on three of the last four holes for a round of 64 to earn a one-stroke victory over John Mahaffey, Jim Thorpe and Sammy Rachels. His best year was 1983, when in addition to his win in Boston, he finished 28th on the money list. His best finish in a major championship is a T-6 at The Masters in 1984; in that tournament, he had a 3-shot lead after the first 36 holes.
Lye tore a ligament in his right hand at the FedEx St. Jude Classic and had to retire from the Tour at age 43 after undergoing major hand surgery. He then began working as an analyst for The Golf Channel eventually rising to Lead Analyst for Men's Tournament Coverage. He transitioned to the position of on-course reporter in order to compete in select Champions Tour events.[1]
After reaching the age of 50 in November 2002, Lye joined the Champions Tour at the start of the 2003 season. His best finish in that venue is a solo 9th at the 2004 Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn.
Lye has battled malignant melanoma in the past few years. He first discovered a dime-sized mole on his left knee in 1991 and had surgery to remove it. He was cancer free for more than five years; however, in 2002, a small growth on his left thigh was discovered. He had surgery and other aggressive treatments for this recurrence and remains under a doctor's care.[2] Lye lives in Naples, Florida.
[edit] PGA Tour wins
[edit] Other regular career wins
- 1976 Champion of Champions Tournament (Australia)
[edit] Trivia
- Had a cameo and three lines in the 1996 sports comedy film Happy Gilmore.
