The 1977 European Tour was the professional golf circuit organized by the European Tour for the calendar year 1977. It constituted the second full season of the tour following its establishment in 1972 and was part of the broader development of professional golf in Europe.
Season overview
- Duration: The season ran from early April to late October 1977, encompassing a series of sanctioned tournaments throughout Europe.
- Number of events: A total of 21 official money‑list events were included in the 1977 schedule. These events comprised national opens, invitational tournaments, and co‑sanctioned major championships (including The Open Championship).
- Prize fund: The cumulative official prize money for the season was approximately £2.23 million, distributed across the individual tournaments.
Order of Merit
The Order of Merit (now known as the Race to Dubai) ranked players based on prize money earned in Pound sterling. The 1977 Order of Merit was won by Seve Ballesteros of Spain, marking his second consecutive top‑ranking season after winning the title in 1976. Ballesteros secured the honor through multiple high‑finish placements, including victories at the Spanish Open and the Portuguese Open.
Notable tournaments and winners
- The Open Championship (St Andrews): Held in July 1977, won by Tom Watson (USA). Although a major, it was counted in the European Tour schedule for purposes of Order of Merit points.
- British PGA Championship (Gatley Golf Club, England): Won by Brian Barnes.
- German Open (Munich): Won by Bernhard Langer (GER), his first European Tour victory.
- Italian Open (Rome): Won by John Mahaffey (USA).
- French Open (Le Golf National): Won by Seve Ballesteros.
- Spanish Open (Valderrama): Won by Seve Ballesteros.
Statistical highlights
- Most tournament wins: Seve Ballesteros recorded the highest number of victories in the season, with three official wins.
- Leading money earner: As Order of Merit champion, Ballesteros topped the season’s earnings list with approximately £58,000.
Impact and legacy
The 1977 season contributed to the consolidation of the European Tour as a leading professional circuit outside the United States. The success of players such as Ballesteros and Langer helped raise the profile of European golf internationally and laid groundwork for subsequent expansion of the tour’s schedule and prize structures.
References
- European Tour, “1977 Season – Tournament Schedule and Results.”
- European Tour, “Order of Merit – 1977.”
All information presented is derived from official European Tour records and contemporaneous tournament reports.