Denis Durnian (30 June 1950 – November 2025) was an English professional golfer.
Durnian was born in Wigan, England, on 30 June 1950. On 1 December 2025, it was confirmed by the European Tour that Durnian had died at the age of 75.
Professional career In 1969, Durnian turned professional. He played on the European Tour from the early 1970s to the early 1990s. He never won a European Tour event but finished second on four occasions, with one being a defeat in a matchplay final and twice losing out in a playoff. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was 20th in 1988. In 1985, he won the PLM Open on the Swedish Golf Tour. The tournament became a European Tour event the following season. He was twice the British Club Professional Champion.
Durnian played in The Open Championship every year from 1982 to 1990, only making the 36-hole cut on one occasion, in 1983 at Royal Birkdale, when he went on to finish tied for 8th place. During the second round he set the record for the lowest nine-hole total in the Open, with a 28 on the par-34 front nine.. This long-standing record was finally tied 43 years later, with Lucas Herbert shooting 28 on the front nine during his 2nd round at the 2026 Open.
After turning 50, Durnian joined the European Seniors Tour. He won three tournaments at that level and was second on the end of season Order of Merit in both 2001 and 2002.
Professional wins (7) Swedish Golf Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunners-up17 Jul 1985PLM Open−14 (69-68-64-73=274)8 strokes Per-Arne Brostedt, Ove Sellberg
Other wins (3) 1982 PGA Club Professionals' Championship 1984 Wilson Club Professionals' Championship, PGA Fourball Championship (with Derrick Cooper, tied with Philip Posnett & Peter Hanna)
European Seniors Tour wins (3) Legend Tour Championships (1) Other European Seniors Tour (2) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up110 Jun 2001Wales Seniors Open +1 (74-65-69=208)1 stroke Jay Horton222 Sep 2002Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open−10 (67-68-71=206)6 strokes Neil Coles, Martin Gray, Tommy Horton, Alan Tapie327 Oct 2002Estoril Seniors Tour Championship−5 (68-68-72=208)Playoff Eamonn Darcy
European Seniors Tour playoff record (1–2) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result12001Microlease Jersey Seniors Masters Delroy Cambridge, Seiji EbiharaEbihara won with birdie on third extra holeCambridge eliminated by par on first hole22002Estoril Seniors Tour Championship Eamonn DarcyWon after concession on first extra hole32004Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open Horacio CarbonettiLost to par on first extra hole
Playoff record European Tour playoff record (0–2) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11978Greater Manchester Open Brian Barnes, Bob Charles, Nick JobBarnes won with birdie on first extra hole21989Jersey European Airways Open Christy O'Connor JnrLost to par on first extra hole
Results in major championships Tournament1978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990The Open ChampionshipCUTCUTCUTT8CUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUT Note: Durnian only played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1978 Open Championship) "T" indicates a tie for a place
Team appearances Dunhill Cup (representing England): 1989 World Cup (representing England): 1989 PGA Cup (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 1981 (tie), 1982, 1984 (winners), 1986 UBS Warburg Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 2001, 2002
References
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