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 | | | | | | Quick Facts | | | Birthdate: 7 March 1965 | | Birthplace: Danderyd, Stockholm | | | Age: 37 Ht: 6ft (183cm) Wt: 12st 7lb (79.4 kgs) | | | Home: Jupiter, Florida, USA | | | Country: Sweden | | | Turned Professional: 1986 (plus 2) | | | |
| Ryder Cup | | | (2) 1997, 1999 | | European Tour Victories | | |
(4) 1993 Bell's Scottish Open, 1995 Volvo Scandinavian Masters, 1996 Trophée Lancôme, 1998 Volvo Scandinavian Masters
| | PGA Tour Victories | | |
(5) 1998 Phoenix Open; 1999 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic; 2000 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, GTE Byron Nelson Classic (play-off); 2001 Honda Classic
| | Player Notes | |
Jesper Parnevik makes his third appearance in the Ryder Cup and, thus far, has proved to be the most successful Swedish golfer in the biennial contest having amassed an impressive four wins and three half points from only nine matches.
The son of Sweden's most popular comedian and impressionist, Bo, Jesper has brought an air of eccentricity to proceedings but beneath the upturned cap is a world-class player blessed with a steely determination.
Parnevik made his Ryder Cup debut at Valderrama in 1997 when he was picked as one of Seve Ballesteros's "wild cards" and joined compatriot Per-Ulrik Johansson in the team.
Parnevik's first match in the Ryder Cup arena was a titanic battle as he and Johansson took on the formidable partnership of Tom Lehman and Jim Furyk. Five hours and 43 minutes the match lasted - the longest in Ryder Cup history - but the end was worth waiting for from a European standpoint as Parnevik holed from 20 feet on the 17th and even more bravely from ten feet on the last to edge the American pair by just one hole.
In the foursomes, Parnevik joined forces with Ignacio Garrido, whose father Antonio had played in the first Europe v USA match in 1979. On a dramatic Saturday, the first time a United States team failed to win a match all day, they secured a tough half with left hander Phil Mickelson and Lehman.
In the second set of foursomes matches Parnevik and Garrido were again paired together and again they held on for a half, this time with the reigning Masters and Open champions, Tiger Woods and Justin Leonard. Parnevik, as he had done on the first day, holed a crucial putt late in the match, this time from eight feet for an improbable birdie at the 17th after a wicked drive.
Parnevik was defeated in his singles match by Mark O'Meara but by then Europe were on a roll and on their way to victory.
Two years later Parnevik struck up a phenomenal partnership with another Spaniard - Sergio Garcia. These good friends joined forces in spectacular fashion, conjuring up three and a half points from a possible four in the most effective pairing of the 1999 Ryder Cup.
Parnevik happily played the role of older brother as the pair proved unbeatable. Second out on the opening day, they could hardly have faced tougher opposition but the European pair fought back from two down to win on the 17th against Woods and Lehman.
By the afternoon Parnevik was on fire. All-square after seven holes, Parnevik then produced the shot of the day , holing his second shot on the eighth for an eagle two to go one up against Mickelson and Furyk. The ball pitched high and spun left into the hole from about 120 yards. Parnevik, arms outstretched was immediately picked up and carried along the fairway by his partner, Garcia.
They went on to win the match on the final hole and their partnership continued to flourish on the second day as they first defeated the late Payne Stewart and Leonard and then, in an enthralling match against Davis Love III and David Duval, Garcia won the final hole to secure a half point.
The Swede, bouyed by the youthful exuberance of the young Spaniard, summed up their partnership when he said: "Sergio has so much energy that when I felt a bit tired I just plugged into him and I was fine again."
Parnevik finished the 1999 Match as one of the top scorers. Picked for the third successive year as a "wild card", Parnevik could prove to be Sam Torrance's ace in the pack at The De Vere Belfry.
Background
Captured his fifth US PGA Tour title by winning the 2001 Honda Classic. A wild card in his two Ryder Cup appearances to date. Dove-tailed magnificently with rookie Sergio Garcia in the Ryder Cup, steering the teenager through his debut and collecting three and a half points in the process. Easily recognised by trademark baseball cap with upturned peak and drainpipe trousers. Eats volcanic dust to 'cleanse the system'. Good bridge player and clever conjurer and magician. Often wears a belt with a buckle which is the head of a one iron. Became the first Swede to win at European Tour event in Sweden when he won the 1995 Volvo Scandinavian Masters. Fourth in 1995 US Tour Qualifying School and won first American title, the Phoenix Open, in 1998 to become only the second Swede to win in America after Gabriel Hjertstedt. Won again in 1999 and twice in 2000 - the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the GTE Byron Nelson Classic. Finished eighth on the 2000 U.S. Money List with $2,413.345. Twice a runner-up in the Open Championship, first in 1994 when he held a two stroke lead playing the final hole at Turnberry but made bogey while Nick Price finished eagle-birdie-par to win by one. Second again in 1997 when led by two going into the final round but overtaken by Justin Leonard on the final day. Always lights a huge cigar when on the point of winning a tournament. Wife, Mia, gave birth in 1999 to their third daughter, Pebble Peach Philippa (after his favourite course, Pebble Beach). Others are Ida Josefin Peg (after tee peg) and Penny (after the coin he uses to mark his ball).
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| W - L - T | Points | | 0 - 1 - 1 | .5 |
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Jesper Parnevik
