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The prospect of growing old is daunting to everyone except professional golfers, a fortunate minority that can look forward to the Senior PGA tour. In 1997 52-year-old Hale Irwin stamped himself the patron saint of the aged golfing set. He led the tour in every major statistical category—scoring, birdies, driving accuracy, greens in regulation and putting. That total dominance enabled Irwin to win nine of the 23 tournaments he entered, tying Peter Thomson's record for most wins in a season on the Senior tour. In addition Irwin led the tour in earnings and became the first golfer on any tour to earn more than $2 million in a season. "I never imagined I'd seriously play the Senior tour, let alone make a run at Peter's record," Irwin said after tying it. "I mean, are you kidding?" Look who's laughing now.
From Sports Illustrated: Photograph by Jacqueline Duvoisin
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