Jim Payne (golfer)

Jim Payne (golfer)

Jim Payne (born 17 April 1970) is an English professional golfer.

Payne was born in Louth, Lincolnshire. He had a promising career as a tournament golfer which petered out by his early thirties, partly due to injury problems which had required him to undergo a spinal fusion operation at the age of 24. As an amateur he won the 1991 European Amateur and the British Youths Championships. He played with Jack Nicklaus in the final round of the 1991 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and finished as leading amateur. He turned professional after playing in the Walker Cup later that year.

In 1992 Payne was Rookie of the Year on the European Tour. He won two European Tour events, the 1993 Turespana Iberia Open de Baleares and the 1996 Italian Open. His last season on the European Tour was 2000. In 2003 he took a position as club professional at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, a two time venue of the Ryder Cup.