Javier Sanchez

Shot 68 and was medalist at the Carmel, Ind., sectional to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Senior Open.
Sanchez comes from a poor farm town in Mexico, where his closest neighbor was 2 miles away. He had an uncle who lived in Redwood City, Calif., and wanted him to visit when he was 17 years old. Because he couldn't come legally, he was forced to pay $50 to another Mexican to get across the border, and then, since he was already in the United States, he decided to stay. He became an American citizen and took up golf when he was 21 years old and the restaurant owner where he worked took over a restaurant at Palo Alto Golf Club. Sanchez became the cook at the restaurant and got interested in golf by watching all of his customers play and talk about golf. For $150, he bought a set of clubs and started to play the game. He moved to Fayetteville, Ga. when he got a job at a driving range and, just like Lee Trevino, was sponsored. Sanchez' sponsor was Earl Tolbert who owned the driving range and gave him money to play on the T.C. Jordan Tour. His big thrill came in 1993 when he was playing in a tournament in St. Louis, Mo., and got a phone call from the USGA that Billy Ray Brown was withdrawing from the U.S. Open and that Sanchez was the first alternate. He hopped on a plane to New Jersey, getting there at 1:30 Thursday morning; less than 12 hours later, he was playing in the U.S. Open without even seeing Baltusrol. He missed the cut, but still it was a dream come true.
Has tried to qualify for the PGA Tour ever year since 1994, and did get a conditional card for the Nike Tour in 1995. Played on that Tour in 1996, with his best finish in 14 starts a 2nd in the St. Louis Golf Classic. In 1997, made 11 starts with his best finish a T8th in the Nike Richmond Open.
Earned the right to open qualify for Champions Tour in 2009 by finishing T20th at 2008 National Qualifying Tournament. Was one of the the Sunbelt Senior Tour's leading players in 2008, winning three times. Has played a total of five U.S. Opens, making the cut in 1996 and finishing T90th. Played 38 events in his career on Web.Com Tour. Lost in a playoff to Tim Conley at the 1996 Gateway Classic.
Finished T63rd at Champions Tour Q-School at the end of 2011 giving him no priority for 2012 Champions Tour.