Shortly thereafter, Newton started playing on the PGA Tour where he won the 1978 Buick-Goodwrench Open.

During this era, Newton also played significantly in Australia where he won a number events including the 1979 Australian Open.

Four years later, Newton had a near-fatal accident when he walked into the spinning propeller of an airplane, losing his right arm and right eye.

[2] In 1974, he won the Benson & Hedges Match Play Championship, beating Cesar Sanudo in the final.

In the third round, Newton set a course record of 65, despite having injured an ankle so severely on the practice tee prior to the start of the championship, that he had it professionally wrapped each day, and was subjected to pain-killing injections.

[12] On 24 July 1983, during the height of his professional career, Newton had a near-fatal accident when he walked into the spinning propeller of a Cessna airplane from which he was getting off at Sydney Airport.

He taught himself to play golf one-handed, swinging the club with his left hand in a right-handed stance.