The following year, he turned to overseas where he had much success, winning South Africa's Lexington PGA and Europe's German Open.

Early in the year, he played on the Southern African Tour where he "won his first professional tournament" at the Lexington PGA.

In July, he finished solo 3rd, only behind Sam Torrance and Craig Stadler, at the Scandinavian Enterprise Open.

A month later, Pavin won the German Open three strokes ahead of joint runner-up Seve Ballesteros.

Pavin's success culminated in his only major victory, the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

[12] After Pavin won the Bank of America Colonial in 1996, he did not win another PGA Tour tournament for ten years.

Pavin finally won his 15th career title in 2006 at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, ending a streak of 242 consecutive tournaments without a win.

[13] His 36-hole total of 125 also tied the record for fewest shots taken in the first 36 holes of a PGA Tour event held by Tom Lehman, Mark Calcavecchia, and Tiger Woods.

In June 2010, he lost in a sudden death playoff to Bubba Watson at the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour.

He defeated Peter Senior at the first sudden death playoff hole with a birdie to take the title, after having finished regulation play at 11 under.In April 1983, Pavin married Shannon Healy.

[30] Pavin made a cameo appearance playing himself in the 1996 movie Tin Cup starring Kevin Costner.