Lehman (PGAtour.com)
Former Golden Gopher golfing star Tom Lehman has a big role in this year’s Ryder Cup taking place in his homestate of Minnesota.
Lehman was born in Austin and raised in Alexandria and many consider him the most famous and acclaimed golfer Minnesota has ever produced. Lehman is an assistant captain for Team USA at the Ryder Cup this week at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska. Being in the spotlight is nothing new for Lehman, who has won major tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions circuit. He finished in the top ten of a major championship ten times over a nine-year period from 1993 to 2000. He won the 1996 British Open. Lehman was on three US Ryder Cup Teams (1995, 1997, and 1999), helping the Americans win the Cup in ’99. Lehman was the Ryder Cup captain in 2006 and now ten years later is vice captain in his home state.
His history in Minnesota is well known. Lehman was a first-team all-Big Ten golfer for the Golden Gophers three straight years (1979, 1980 and 1981). Lehman won the 1981 Big Ten Medal of Honor for Minnesota. He later won the 1989 and 1990 Minnesota State Open Championships.
The Ryder Cup practice rounds begin tomorrow in Chaska, with competition beginning on Friday and running through Sunday.
Minnesota News Network Sports Director Mike Grimm chatted with the assistant captain Tom Lehman. Here’s the full interview:
