Mark O’Meara had a rather iconic win at the 1998 Masters. He putt a 20-foot birdie on the final hole of the tournament to get the green jacket at Royal Birkdale after a four-hole playoff over Brian Watts. The 67-year-old has had a delightful career, having played in some of the top golf courses in America. But there’s one course that remains close to his heart – The Pebble Beach.

It was at Pebble Beach that he won a record five times tied with Phil Mickelson on the PGA Tour (1985-1997). After forty-four years of playing competitive golf, the professional golfer has announced his retirement after playing at the course that has meant so much to him in his career.

Mark O’Meara thanks golf for having such a huge impact on him.

The PURE Insurance Championship was the last time the golf community saw the legend swinging his golf clubs in tournaments. After 54 holes at Pebble Beach, Mark O’Meara is in the 75th position on the leaderboard with a score of 1-over. As he finished the 18th hole on Saturday, there was a live interview on the course asking him about his experience. When asked about his family, and how it felt to play in front of them, O’Meara said, “They’re the greatest, you know. You only have so many close people in your life.”

He thanked his wife Alicia, son Shaun, and daughter Michelle for coming to watch him play for his final fame. However, while talking about the last game before retirement, O’Meara breaks down while speaking. “This game has certainly had a huge impact on my life and I won’t forget that,” added O’Meara. He also added how overwhelming the Saturday round’s final hole shot was for him. The 67-year-old professional who is about to retire said, “I am still teary-eyed.”

Did Mark O’Meara choose Pebble Beach as his retirement destination as a coincidence? Or was there a purpose behind it? Well, looks like there is more than just one reason behind him ending his career at the PURE Insurance Championship. Apart from achieving one of the greatest milestones of his career, this was where his career began, both amateur and professional.

Mark O’Meara wishes to achieve a full-circle career spot

Mark O’Meara started playing collegiate golf when he was 22 years old. He won his first Pro-am at Pebble Beach. It was also the first victory of his amateur career, which later on led him to win the US Amateur and Mexican Amateur as well. Weirdly enough, even his professional career pretty much kickstarted at the same course.

In his rookie year, O’Meara won the Pro-am, once again at Pebble Beach. Apart from all the accolades, he also has one of his fondest memories of playing golf on the same course. At the 1986 Pro-am, he played with his father Bob O’Meara. His last victory on the course came when he one-upped Tiger Woods and David Duval in 1997. And well, after almost three decades, he will be retiring in the same course. What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments section below!