Few golfers have made the game look as much fun as Lee Trevino. A self-taught Texan who learned on a caddies' practice patch, he talked his way round the course, beat Jack Nicklaus in his prime and collected six major championships along the way.
Still swinging at 86, he remains one of golf's best-loved characters. Browse our Golf collection.
Lee Trevino Fact File
| Full name | Lee Buck Trevino |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 December 1939 (age 86) |
| Place of birth | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Event | Professional golf (PGA Tour, Champions Tour) |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired from tour golf; plays exhibitions and family events |
| Nickname | The Merry Mex, Supermex |
Career History
| Years | Tour | Wins | Majors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968–1984 | PGA Tour | 29 | 6 |
| From 1990 | Senior PGA Tour (Champions) | 29 | 4 senior majors |
| Total | Both tours | 58 | 10 |
Wins are official PGA Tour and Champions Tour victories as listed by the PGA Tour and Wikipedia; senior majors are counted separately from his six regular majors.
Early Years in Texas
Trevino grew up near Dallas, raised by his mother and grandfather, and was picking cotton as a small boy. He left school at 14 to caddie at the Dallas Athletic Club, honing his swing on the short holes behind the caddie shack.
At 17 he joined the US Marine Corps, serving four years and playing plenty of golf with officers. After his discharge in 1960 he turned professional and worked as a club pro in El Paso.
Relive it with our Lee Trevino Golf Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The 1968 Breakthrough
Trevino joined the PGA Tour in 1967 and finished fifth at the US Open. A year later he won it at Oak Hill, his first Tour title, and suddenly the wisecracking unknown with the homemade swing was a major champion.
Celebrate it with our Lee Trevino Men's T-Shirt.
1971 and the Peak Years
His 1971 summer is the stuff of legend. He beat Nicklaus in an 18-hole play-off for a second US Open, then won the Canadian Open two weeks later and the Open the following week, the first player to take all three in a single year.
He retained the Open at Muirfield in 1972 and won the PGA Championship in 1974. He also took five Vardon Trophies for the Tour's best scoring average and played on six Ryder Cup teams.
Wear the legacy with our Lee Trevino Golf Icon Frame Men's Polo Shirt.
Later Career and Legacy
Back trouble slowed him in the late 1970s, yet in 1984 he won a second PGA Championship, a decade after his first. He captained the American Ryder Cup side in 1985.
Turning 50 opened a second career. He won 29 senior titles, including the 1990 US Senior Open, and became the first senior golfer to earn $1 million in a season. His 1981 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame confirmed what fans already knew.
Honours
Majors
- US Open: 1968, 1971
- The Open: 1971, 1972
- PGA Championship: 1974, 1984
Individual
- 29 PGA Tour wins
- 29 Champions Tour wins, including four senior majors
- Vardon Trophy (5): 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1980
- PGA Player of the Year: 1971
- Ryder Cup: six-time player, captain in 1985
Recognition
- World Golf Hall of Fame (1981)
- Hickok Belt (1971)
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1971)
- BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year (1971)
Away From the Game
Trevino worked as a golf analyst for NBC between his regular and senior tour careers, his quick wit translating perfectly to television. He is a regular at the PNC Championship, partnering his son Daniel, and still delights crowds with his shot-making.
FAQs
How old is Lee Trevino?
Lee Trevino was born on 1 December 1939, so he is 86 as of October 2026.
Where was Lee Trevino born?
He was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the area before moving to El Paso as a club professional.
How tall is Lee Trevino?
Trevino stands 5 ft 7 in (170 cm).
Which tours did Lee Trevino play on?
He played the PGA Tour from 1967, winning 29 times, then the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions), where he won 29 more.
How many majors did Lee Trevino win?
Six: the US Open in 1968 and 1971, the Open in 1971 and 1972, and the PGA Championship in 1974 and 1984.
What made Lee Trevino's 1971 season special?
Within a month he won the US Open, the Canadian Open and the Open, becoming the first player to win all three in the same year.
Shop the Lee Trevino Collection
If the Merry Mex makes you smile every time you tee up, wear your love for his game with our golf-inspired designs.
Lee Trevino Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Explore more in our Golf collection, or put your own name on the back with our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Jack Nicklaus Career Story and Arnold Palmer Career Story.
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