Mac O'Grady

Mac O'Grady (born April 26, 1951) born Phil McGleno, aka Phillip McClelland O'Grady is an American professional golfer and golf teaching professional who played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s, known mainly for his eccentric behavior [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=bobhopeogrady&prov=st&type=lgns O'Grady carries the bag but dreams of swinging the clubs] ] and brash statements [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE7DF1131F937A25750C0A960948260 O'Grady Warned Again] ] , in addition to his attending PGA Qualifying school 17 times before achieving his card. [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/g/golf/index.html?offset=40&query=SUSPENSIONS,%20DISMISSALS%20AND%20RESIGNATIONS&field=des&match=exact]

Biography and career highlights

O'Grady was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Santa Monica Junior College in Santa Monica, California, and turned pro in 1972. He attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour through Q School 17 times before finally receiving his tour card. During this time, he legally changed his name from Phil McGleno to Phillip McClelland O'Grady, and then to Mac O'Grady. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=bobhopeogrady&prov=st&type=lgns O'Grady carries the bag but dreams of swinging the clubs] ] O'Grady won two events on the PGA Tour. His first win came at the 1986 Canon Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open; his second and final win came a year later at the MONY Tournament of Champions. His best finish in a major was a T-9 at the 1987 U.S. Open. O'Grady had 18 top-10 finishes as a PGA Tour player. O'Grady left the PGA Tour in 1989 as a result of back problems.

Later years

O'Grady, a right-handed player, is ambidextrous; he can also play left-handed at "scratch" level (no handicap). He has previously attempted to gain status as an amateur "lefty" and pro "righty". [ [http://forums.golfreview.com/showthread.php?t=2784 Mac O'Grady - Mr. Unpredictable] ] The main focus of his career now is teaching the game of golf, recognized as one of the world's top instructors [ [http://www.golfweek.com/ourtake/286500677192048.php Golfweek "Mac is back"] ] ; he teaches at his "Mac O'Grady Golf Schools" [http://macogradygolfschools.com/] and lives in Palm Springs, California. Mac's teachings and swing concepts were influenced by Homer Kelly's book "The Golfing Machine" whom Mac had studied with personally in his earlier years. Interestingly, on O'Grady's website, it states, "He was forced to retire in 1990 due to a congenital spine disorder known as Spondylolisthesis." However he has been trying and in some cases, succeeding in qualifying for 2008 Champions Tour Events.

PGA Tour wins

*1986 Canon Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open
*1987 MONY Tournament of Champions

Notes and References