International champions have become hallmark of Shell Houston Open

text size

HUMBLE, Texas -- The Shell Houston Open has had 12 international champions, winning a total of 16 tournaments since 1946. Over at Augusta National during the same period, the Masters had nine international champions, also winning 16 tournaments. These two tournaments lead PGA TOUR events with international winners highlighting the global game of golf sinceWorld War II.

Among other tournaments with significant numbers of international winners since 1946 are: The Barclays (9 international winners, 14 events); Wyndham Championship (10/11); Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial (9/10); EDS Byron Nelson (9/9); U.S. Open (7/9); FBR Open (8/9); PGA Championship (6/9); Verizon Heritage (8/8); Northern Trust Open (7/8); THE PLAYERS Championship (7/8);

And since 2000, the Shell Houston Open and Mercedes-Benz Championship have led the PGA TOUR in tournaments won by international players with six each.

Only The Open Championship in Britain, first played in 1863, has had more wins by Australian golfers (four different winners of nine tournaments) than the Shell Houston Open (6/8). Once again, though, the Shell Houston Open has had more Australian victories.

Interestingly, the Shell Houston Open has had international winners from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa, but none from Europe.