Des Smyth

One of the longest surviving players on The European Tour, who became the oldest winner in Tour history during his 28th consecutive season on The European Tour in 2001. Won the Madeira Island Open at the age of 48 years and 34 days - 20 days older than the previous oldest champion, Neil Coles. Has now won in four different decades. Learned the game on the links of Baltry, Co. Louth, and has always been a strong player particularly in adverse conditions. His 67 in the 1980 Jersey Open with a gale force eight wind blowing at La Moye emphasized this talent. Played in two Ryder Cups. Winner of Irish National Championship six times. Was a member of Irish team, which won the Alfred Dunhill Cup in 1988. Became the first European to win the US Champions Tour Qualifying Tournament and only the fourth overseas player when he finished ahead of Seiji Ebihara to earn a place on the Champions Tour in 2003.

European Tour
8 - 1979 European Match Play Championship, 1980 Newcastle Brown "900", Greater Manchester Open, 1981 Coral Classic, 1983 Sanyo Open, 1988 BNP Jersey Open, 1993 Madrid Open, 2001 Madeira Island Open.

1990 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 27; in money - 22; top ten finishes - 3; scoring average 71.79 (ranked 40th); money £105,877 (ranked 33rd); best finish, 3rd Desert Classic and T-3rd Austrian open...

1991 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 27; in money - 22; top ten finishes - 2; scoring average 72.32 (ranked 52nd); money £71,663 (ranked 59th); best finish, 6th Madrid Open...

1992 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 28; in money - 16; top ten finishes - 1; scoring average 72.00 (ranked T-63rd); money £67,994 (ranked 76th); best finish, T-9th, Volvo Open di Firenze...

1993 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 31; in money - 20; top ten finishes - 3; scoring average 72.16 (ranked 58th); money £171,465 (ranked 32nd); win Madrid Open.

1994 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 26; in money - 18; top ten finishes - 4; scoring average 71.93 (ranked T-54th); money £101,959 (ranked 60th); best finish T-4th, Murphy's English Open.

1995 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 25; in money - 14; top ten finishes - 1; scoring average 71.94 (ranked 39th); money £76,903 (ranked 82nd); best finish T-8th, Turespana Open Andalucia.

1996 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 26; in money - 11; top ten finishes - 2; scoring average 72.51; money £66,042 (ranked 100th); best finish 4th, Madeira Island Open.

1997 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 25; in money - 11; top ten finishes - 0; scoring average 72.13 ; money £47,821 (ranked 123rd); best finish 4th, Madera Island certain .

1998 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 22; in money - 10; scoring average 71.43; money £53,531 (ranked 114th); best finish T14th, British Open.

1999 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 24; in money - 16; top-10 finishes - 2; scoring average 71.83 (ranked 64th); money - ¢131,949 or £94,250 (ranked 86th); best finish T3rd, Buzzgolf.com North West of Ireland Open

2000 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 25; in money - 12; top-10 finishes - 1; scoring average 72.14 (ranked 89th); money - ¢133,402 or £79,338 (ranked 111th); best finish T6th, Murphy's Irish Open.

2001 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 22; in money - 12; top-10 finishes - 1; scoring average 71.61 (ranked 100th); money - ¢249,551 or £155,160 (ranked 79th); winner Madeira Island Open.

2002 European Tour Summary
Tournaments entered - 21; in money - 12; top-10 finishes - 1; scoring average 72.34; money - ¢152,311 or £97,115 (ranked 128th); best finish, T10th, Telefonica Open de Madrid.