Hale Irwin Named Honorary Chair of 2025 U.S. Senior Open

Tickets

Colorado native Hale Irwin, a World Golf Hall of Famer and five-time USGA champion, has been named honorary chair of the 45th U.S. Senior Open Championship. The USGA will conduct the U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor Golf Club’s East Course, in Colorado Springs, Colo., from June 25-29.

“As a five-time USGA champion and with strong ties to the state and region, I am honored to serve as the honorary chair of this year’s U.S. Senior Open,” said Irwin. “The foundation for my life as an athlete and eventually a professional golfer was established in Boulder County, and it excites me to return to a place where it began. I have been fortunate to have competed against many of the players who will play in this national championship. Dale Douglass, a Coloradoan and former Senior Open champion, was a mentor and great friend who provided great insight during my career. It will be a privilege to represent him and the other legendary champions in this field as honorary chair.

“The Broadmoor is special place for me, my wife Sally, and our family along with my great association with long-time director of golf Dow Finsterwald. It is revered in the history of professional and amateur golf with great champions from (Jack) Nicklaus to (Annika) Sorenstam. I know how much the region, especially the Colorado Springs and Denver communities, will support this championship but also appreciates this great game.”

Irwin, a two-time U.S. Senior Open champion, was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and golf at Boulder High School. As a senior, he won the individual state golf championship and helped the school’s Class AAA football team post a 9-1 record. Irwin went on to star at the University of Colorado where he twice was selected first-team All-Big Eight Conference as a defensive back in football and won the 1967 NCAA individual golf championship along with two Big Eight titles. He would serve as co-captain of the 1966 football team, leading the Buffaloes to a 7-3 record and a second-place finish in the conference standings. He is a member of the school’s athletic hall of fame.

After turning professional in 1968, Irwin would put together a stellar golf career on the PGA and PGA Champions Tours. He produced 20 PGA Tour victories and set a record by winning 45 Champions events that was broken by Bernhard Langer when he claimed the 2023 U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld. Irwin is best known for his U.S. Open victories in 1974, 1979 and 1990, and is one of just six players to win the championship three or more times. In 1990, at 45 years and 15 days, he became the oldest player to win the U.S. Open with his triumph at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club. His 45-foot putt on the 72nd hole forced a Monday playoff which he won in dramatic fashion over Mike Donald with a birdie. Irwin had received a special exemption into the field.

Irwin, who is tied for third with seven senior major professional championships, is also one of seven players to win multiple U.S. Senior Opens. He made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to claim his first title in 1998 at The Riviera Country Club. In 2000, he closed with a 65 at Saucon Valley Country Club to set, at the time, the championship scoring record with a 17-under-par total of 267. Additionally, he is among eight players to have won both the U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open.

“Hale Irwin is one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport and has continued to be active as a golf course architect and through his many charitable efforts,” said Hank Thompson, senior director, U.S. Senior Open Championship. “His affinity with the state of Colorado and ties within the sports community will serve him well as an ambassador for the U.S. Senior Open and help bring together the region around this highly sought-after national championship.”

Irwin, who will support the ninth USGA championship to be held at The Broadmoor, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. He was presented with the 2019 Payne Stewart Award that is given annually to a golfer who exemplifies the values of the two-time U.S. Open champion’s character, charitable works and sportsmanship.

Tickets for the 45th U.S. Senior  Open Championship at The Broadmoor’s East Course are now on sale by clicking here. Two holiday offers – a Trophy Club and a general admission package – are currently available for purchase.

The U.S. Senior Open Championship is for golfers 50 and older and open to any professional or amateur with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 2.4. Major champions Bernhard Langer (2023), Padraig Harrington (2022) and Jim Furyk (2021) have won three of the previous four championships. Richard Bland, of England, is the defending champion.