Philip Walton

Philip Joseph Walton (born 28 March 1962) is an Irish professional golfer.

Amateur career
According to Ronan Rafferty, Walton had the best handicap in the Republic of Ireland as an amateur. Walton attended Oklahoma State University in the United States and played for Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup in 1981 and 1983.

Professional career
Walton turned professional in 1983 and spent many years on the European Tour, making the top one hundred on the Order of Merit every year from 1983 to 1998, with a best ranking of thirteenth in 1995. He won three European Tour events and four Irish PGA Championships.

Walton has represented Ireland or Great Britain & Ireland on many occasions. He was a member of the winning Irish team at the 1990 Alfred Dunhill Cup. He made his only Ryder Cup appearance for Europe in 1995 at Oak Hill, where he beat Jay Haas on the final green of the crucial penultimate singles match.

Walton came through local qualifying to earn his place at the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, his first major since 1998.

Amateur wins

 * 1981 Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Spanish International Amateur Championship
 * 1982 Irish Amateur Close Championship

European Tour wins (3)
European Tour playoff record (2–1)

Other wins (4)

 * 1987 Irish PGA Championship
 * 1989 Irish PGA Championship
 * 1991 Irish PGA Championship
 * 1995 Irish PGA Championship

Results in major championships
Note: Walton never played in the Masters Tournament. {{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}} CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1981 Open Championship) WD = withdrew "T" = tied

Team appearances
Amateur
 * European Youths' Team Championship (representing Ireland): 1979 (winners), 1980, 1981
 * Walker Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1981, 1983
 * European Amateur Team Championship (representing Ireland): 1981, 1983
 * Eisenhower Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1982
 * St Andrews Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1982

Professional
 * Europcar Cup (representing Ireland): 1988
 * Dunhill Cup (representing Ireland): 1989, 1990 (winners), 1992, 1994, 1995
 * Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 1995 (winners)
 * Record (W–L–H) 1–1–0 = 1 pt
 * World Cup (representing Ireland): 1995