More Information About Jesper Parnevik
Jesper Bo Parnevik (Swedish pronunciation: [jɛspər paɳəviːk]; born 7 March 1965) is a Swedish professional golfer. He spent 38 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings in 2000 and 2001.[1]
Parnevik was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the son of the Swedish entertainer Bo Parnevik. His place in the pantheon of golf stars stems from both his playing achievements and his distinctive and eccentric taste in clothes and fashion.
Parnevik's on-course trademark was the upturned bill on his baseball cap. While on the European Ryder Cup team, he received a customized team cap with the Ryder Cup logo on the bottom of the bill instead of the front, so that it could be seen with the bill turned up. He has since stopped wearing the flipped-bill hat, but retains a flamboyant sense of fashion, such as disco-style purple trousers and other golf apparel designed by Johan Lindeberg. He has been politely described as "eclectic," and has been known to change outfits at the halfway stage of a round of tournament golf. Beginning in 2006, one of his new on-course fashion statements was a necktie worn under a vest. He is also known for eating volcanic dust as a dietary supplement.[2]
Parnevik turned professional in 1986 and scored four wins in his early years on the European Tour. Based in Florida, United States, he joined the PGA Tour in the mid-90s, subsequently winning five events. His playing career also includes three Ryder Cup appearances - in 1997, 1999, and 2002. He has twice been a runner-up in The Open, in 1994 and 1997. His career best world ranking of seventh, which he attained on 14 May 2000, was the highest world ranking achieved by a Swedish golfer until Henrik Stenson reached the top five in February 2007.[3]
In late 2000, Parnevik underwent hip surgery after speaking with Greg Norman who had undergone similar surgery.[4]
Parnevik finished second in the Valero Texas Open in October 2007, losing to Justin Leonard in a playoff. Parnevik's nickname on tour is "Spaceman", a reference to the fact that he resides in Jupiter, Florida, United States. An allegedly thoughtful historian in his free time, and a man with varied tastes, he was recently asked with whom he'd like to have dinner. He quickly replied that it would have to be a choice between Albert Einstein and Elvis Presley. When told he could only have one, he shot back, "OK, Elvis Einstein."
Parnevik has an eclectic acting career including a cameo in the 2007 comedy, Who's Your Caddy,[5] in which he plays himself.
Parnevik is credited with having introduced fellow professional golfer Tiger Woods to Swedish au pair Elin Nordegren (previously employed by Parnevik), whom Woods would eventually marry. Parnevik subsequently stated in 2009 that he regrets his responsibility for this introduction.[6]
In 2009, after a tie for 17th finish at the SAS Masters in Sweden, Parnevik underwent further hip surgery in Vail, Colorado, United States[7] which cut short his 2009 season on the PGA Tour. He also cited the hip injury as the reason for his withdrawal from the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament ("Q-School") in December 2009.
In 2010, Parnevik missed cuts in his first three tournaments and had to withdraw again after a first round 68 at the Northern Trust Open because of an ailing back. He had emergency surgery where it was discovered that he had a broken lumbar vertebrae that might be career ending. He is currently seeking advise from a physiotherapist.[8]
Professional wins (13)
European Tour wins (4)
PGA Tour wins (5)
Other wins (4)
- 1988 Ramlosa Trophy, Odensa Open (both Sweden), Open Passing Shot (France)
- 1990 Swedish Open International Stroke Play
Results in major championships
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
DQ = Disqualified
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.
Team appearances
Amateur
Professional
See also
References
External links
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