What is Lee Trevino’s Net Worth?

Lee Trevino, a Mexican American professional golfer, has a net worth of $50 million. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, having won six major championships and 29 PGA Tour events, with a total of 92 professional wins. Trevino is among only four players to have won the Open Championship, the US Open, and the PGA Championship twice. He is also famous for his appearance in Adam Sandler’s movie Happy Gilmore as the head shaking guy.

Lee Trevino’s Earnings

During his PGA career, Lee Trevino earned $9.9 million in tournament winnings, which is currently in the top 30 of all-time career earnings totals.

In addition to his tournament winnings, Trevino earned tens of millions of dollars from endorsements.

Early Life and Military Service

Lee Trevino was born in 1939 in Garland, Texas to a family of Mexican descent. His father left the family early on, leaving Trevino to be raised by his mother and grandfather. He began working in the cotton fields at a young age and was introduced to golf by his uncle, who gifted him an old club and balls. Trevino became a caddie at the Dallas Athletic Club and dropped out of school at 14 to work full-time. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1956 and served four years as a machine gunner, playing in Armed Forces golf events in Asia during his service.

Lee Trevino’s Major Wins

Lee Trevino began his career as a club professional in El Paso, Texas, before qualifying for the US Open in 1966 and finishing fifth, earning the title of Rookie of the Year. In 1968, he won his first major championship at the US Open, followed by a string of victories in the early 70s, including the US Open in 1971 and the Open Championship just one week later, becoming the first player ever to win those three titles in a single year. He was awarded the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of 1971.

Trevino defended his Open Championship title in 1972, won the Greater New Orleans Open without scoring any bogeys in 1974, and won his fifth major championship at the PGA Championship that same year. Despite suffering spinal injuries from being struck by lightning at the Western Open in 1975, Trevino continued to compete, accumulating three PGA Tour wins in 1980 and finishing second to Tom Watson in the Open Championship. He won his sixth and final major at the 1984 PGA Championship with a score of 273 and was the runner-up at the same event the following year.

Trevino’s International Career

Lee Trevino played many games overseas throughout his career. He occasionally played on the Australasian Tour and finished second in the Dunlop International in Australia twice. He won two regular European Tour events, including the 1978 Benson & Hedges International Open and the 1985 Dunhill British Masters. He also finished second at the Bob Hope British Classic in 1980.

Trevino’s Impressive Performance at the 1989 Masters Tournament

In 1989, at the age of 49, Trevino made history by becoming the oldest player to lead the field after a tournament round at the Masters Tournament. He shot a bogey-free five-under-par 67, impressing fans and fellow golfers alike.

While he ultimately tied for 18th place, eight spots below his career best results at the Masters in 1975 and 1985, Trevino’s performance in 1989 was a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.

Trevino Known for Joking Behavior

Lee Trevino was known for his joking behavior and witty remarks during his professional career. In the 1971 US Open playoff against Nicklaus, he threw a rubber snake at his rival as a prank. Later, Trevino made a humorous cameo appearance as himself in the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy film “Happy Gilmore.”

Lee Trevino’s Golf Achievements

Lee Trevino is one of the few golfers to have won the PGA Tour’s Open Championship, US Open, and Canadian Open in the same year, which he accomplished in 1971. He also won the Vardon Trophy for lowest-scoring average five times, in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, and 1980. In 1981, Trevino was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Golf Digest magazine ranked him as the 14th greatest golfer in history in 2000.

Marriages and Children

Lee Trevino has been married twice. His first marriage was to Claudia Fenley. In 1983, he married Claudia Bove. Trevino has six children.

Trevino and Bove’s Preston Hollow Mansion

In 1996, Trevino and Bove bought a mansion in the prestigious Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas. The four-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate was built in 1939 and was remodeled by the couple before their move-in in 1999. The main house comprised a game room, music room, sun room, study, and a separate guest suite. Outside, there were putting greens, a pool, a tennis court, a cabana, a private creek, and a stone bridge.

In 2014, the couple listed the home for $13 million, but they had to reduce the price to $7.5 million in 2018. The property was finally sold in 2019, with the new owners demolishing the mansion.

Here is how the mansion looked like when Trevino and Bove owned it:

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