Lyndsay Stephen

Lyndsay Stephen (22 March 1956 – 25 February 2021) was an Australian professional golfer.

Stephen had much success early in his career, winning the South Australian Open at the age of 24.

He was near the lead down the stretch but missed a one-metre putt on the 72nd hole.

This would be crucial as he ultimately finished one behind champion Ted Ball.

Despite the disappointing final hole his runner-up finish was his hitherto highest placing.

He turned professional at the beginning of 1978.

Later in the year he joined the PGA Tour of Australia.

Stephen first received media attention that October at the West Lakes Classic.

He shot a bogey-free opening round 67 (−4) to tie the lead with Bob Shearer.

He did not play as well on Friday but managed to make a four-metre birdie putt on the final hole for a 72 (+1) to maintain possession of the lead.

There were high expectations for him though he did not always meet them, recording at least seven runner-up finishes during the remainder of the 1980s but rarely winning.

In 1980, he had his first year of continuous success as a touring professional.

In February, he took the outright lead at the midway point of the Victorian Open.

He finished in a tie for sixth.

The veteran golfer Alan Murray was at the event.

He was impressed with Stephen's talent, stating that he was a "future world champion."

"I have never seen anyone hitting a long ball with such ease," he stated shortly after the event.

"His effortless-like swing is unbelievable from the tremendous distance he covers."

In April, he finished in a tie for third place at the Legacy-CIG pro-am in Perth, Australia.

In September, this good play culminated with a high result at the New South Wales PGA Championship.

He was well back for most of the tournament but played well on Sunday while the leaders fell back.

In the early 1980s, Stephen posted several runner-ups finishes.

In February 1981, Stephen recorded his first victory at the South Australia Open.

He played "stunning" golf during the second round culminating with a holed bunker shot for an eagle on the last hole.

Stephen's 67 (−5) was the best round of the tournament so far and put him at 140 (−4), one ahead of a number of players.

He "maintained his sparkling form" on Saturday with a 70 (−2) to continue to hold a one shot lead.

On Sunday, he played poorly early but birdied the 9th hole and "tightened his game" after the turn.

Stephen finished at 282 (−6) and defeated Rodger Davis by three.

Later in the year he won the Spalding Park Open, held in Spalding, Western Australia, for the first time with a score of 218 (+2).

The first of these was at the 1981 New South Wales Open.

Stephen started the final round well behind leader Bill Rogers and second place holder Peter Senior.

However, the leaders played poorly and Stephen's 71 (−2) was good enough to move into solo second place.

His A$6,860 paycheck was his highest ever.

In August and early September 1982, despite "restricted tournament play," he recorded three runner-up finishes in his home state of Western Australia.

In late September 1982, Stephen played the New South Wales PGA Championship.

In the first round, he played one-over-par golf through the first 12 holes.

In the early 1990s he briefly quit tournament golf, focusing to work as a coach.

However, he shortly returned and recorded some late career highlights, including victories at the 1996 South Australian PGA Championship and 2010 Australian PGA Seniors Championship.

Stephen was from Donnybrook, Western Australia.

He ultimately finished in a tie for 13th.