Age: 51
Height: 6’1”
Residence: Whittier, CA
Joined Tour: 2004
Years on Tour: 21
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Career Stats:
2-time Player of the Year
Tournaments Played: 120
Victories: 9 (1 major)
Tour Championship: 2017
Charly Classic: 2009, 2011, 2017
Manhattan Beach Championship: 2010
Survivor Challenge: 2007
Hooters Team Play Championship: 2007, 2023
All Star Shootout: 2006
Player of the Year Rank:
2004: n/a
2005: 4th/13
2006: 8th/17 (1 win)
2007: 4th/16 (2 wins)
2008: 10th/17
2009: 6th/17 (1 win)
2010: 1st/17 (1 win)
2011: 4th/16 (1 win)
2012: 10th/15
2013: 8th/15
2014: 15th/15
2015: 8th/16
2016: 9th/16
2017: 1st/13 (2 wins)
2018: 4th/11
2019: 4th/11
2020: Covid year
2021: no rankings
2022: 8th/10
2023: 3rd/9
Record in match play: 13-14
Lowest Round Par-27: 32 (2011 Charly Invitational)
Lowest Round Par-29: 37 (2005 Masters Qualifier)
Lowest Rounds Masters: 82 (2006); front 9: 37 (2018); back 9: 38 (2007)
Lowest Round: Griffith Observatory Championship (par-33): 48 (2009,2011,2013)
Record in playoffs: 2-0
2007 Survivor: defeated Tim Joe
2007 Hooters: with teammate Moawad defeated Grigorian/Mann
Career Highlights:
2023: In his 20th year on Tour played in 6 of 7 events finishing the year ranked 3rd, his highest finish since he won Player of the Year in 2017… Posted 1 win and finished top-3 in half the events he played… With partner Doug Vargas won the Hooters Championship ending his winless streak (longest among active golfers) at 20 tournaments. His last victory was the Tour Championship, June 17, 2017. He and Vargas were 3rd after the front 9, then made a 5-point improvement, highlighted by 2 straight pars to end their round; paired with Vargas once before in 2016 (5th). His last 3 Hooters starts includes 2 runner-up finishes; his last Hooters victory was 16 years prior in 2007 with partner Chris Moawad… In the season-opener, finished 2nd in the inaugural South Bay Challenge, his best result since finishing T2 at the 2020 Masters. Was the leader after 2 rounds. Was 1 of only 2 golfers to card a birdie for the tournament… Finished T3, his highest finish in his last 4 starts at the Tour Championship… Made his first appearance at the Masters since 2020, finishing 4th; 42 back-9 was his best back-9 score in his last 8 Masters starts. Part of a 3-way split of the $6 birdie pot, moving him up 2 spots into 9th on the all-time birde pool earnings list… Finished 4th in the Griffith Observatory Championsip; carded the worst score of his career at Roosevelt. His Hooters victory, the 9th of his career, moved him into a tie with John Frost for 8th on the all-time wins list.
2022: Played in 4 of 8 tournaments, finishing the year ranked 8th… Best result of the season was T-4 in the season opening tournament at Heroes… Qualified for the Masters (via Devil Ball) but did not play… “Won” the gizmo prize for worst devil ball score… The Tour Championship marked the 110th start of his career.
2021: Finished 5th in the Tour Championship.
2020: Played 2 tournaments in the Covid-affected season… Tied for 2nd at the Masters, his best result since finishing 2nd in 2010; it was his 3rd runner up finish in 10 career Masters starts… Finished tied for 4th at the Tour Championship; his 96 marked a new Valencia career best round.
2019: Completed his 16th season, playing in 6 of 7 tournaments, and ending the year ranked 4th for the 2nd consecutive year. Posted 3 runner-up finishes… Finished 2nd at the Tour Championship, his 3rd straight top-3 finish at the Tour’s “club championship”… Tied for 2nd in the season-opening Charly Classic, carding a tournament-high 5 pars. It was his 6th top-2 finish in 11 career Charly Classic starts… Returned to the Hooters after missing the 2018 edition and finished 2nd with partner Patrick Bird; their last pairing was in 2012 where they finished T2 at Verdugo Hills… As the #5 seed, lost to #4 Doug Vargas in a sudden death playoff in the opening round of the Match Play Invitational; dropped to 1-3 career vs. Vargas… Carded a career-worst round (57) in his 11th start at the Griffith Observatory Championship… Qualified for the Masters but did not play… This year’s Hooters marked his 100th career start on Tour.
2018: Played in 4 of 6 tournaments, finishing in the top-3 in 3 of his 4 starts, but failed to win a single tournament. He joins Jose Clemente, Walter Vargas, and Travis Gordon, previous Players of the Year who failed to register a win the following season… Finished 3rd in both this season’s majors, the Masters and (as defending champion) Tour Championship: At the Masters (he qualified by winning the 2017 Tour Championship) recorded his best finish in 4 starts; his 86 was his best score in 10 years and his front-9 37 was one stroke better than his previous best set in 2008… Finished runner-up at the Griffith Observatory Championship, his best finish since tying for 2nd in 2009; for the 2nd straight year finished top-3, shot 50, and par’d the 148-yard par-3 third… As defending champion, missed the Charly Classic, becoming the 10th champion in Tour history to not defend their title the following year… In a strange coincidence, in the 2 times he has won Player of the Year, he finished the following season ranked 4th.
2017: Crowned Player of the Year for the 2nd time in his career, his first coming 7 years prior in 2010. Finished with 2 victories (Charly Classic and Tour Championship) and led the Tour in top-3 finishes (6 in 8 tournaments). Was 1 of 3 golfers to play all 8 regular season tournaments… Began the season winning a record-tying 3rd Charly Classic in the 85th tournament of his career. The win ended the Tour’s 3rd longest winless streak at 38; it was his first win since the 2011 Charly Classic… Won the Tour Championship, the first major title of his 14-year career. The win marked the 2nd 2-win season of his career (2007)… Advanced to his 4th Survivor Challenge final, first in 7 years, and 10 years after he last won; lost to Ed Quiroz… Tied for 2nd in Devil Ball, a career best result in 8 starts. His finish earned him 1 of 2 available spots Devil Ball offered for the Masters… With partner Walter Vargas finished 2nd at the Hooters in what was his 90th career start; at the time it was his 3rd runner-up finish in his last 4 tournaments of the season… At the Masters made his first appearance in 4 years and just his 2nd in the last 6; tied for 5th, his best finish in his last 3 Masters starts… As a #4 seed lost to #5 Clint Crump by a playoff tie break in the quarterfinals of Match Play. It was their first career match against one another… At the Griffith Observatory Championship, his par on the 3rd hole was his first par in 3 years at Roosevelt, and just the 3rd in 9 career starts… Collected, for the first time, birdie pool money ($8)… As Tour Champion, joined Chris Moawad (2013) as the only Tour Champions to win Player of the Year in the same season… Finished 3rd in the Tournament of Champions, his first appearance in 7 years.
2016: Played in 6 tournaments, and finished the year ranked 9th… Made the championship round in the Devil Ball shootout for the first time in 7 career starts, and finished a career best 3rd… Tied for tournament-high pars (4) in the Charly Classic; his streak of consecutive sub-40 Whitsett rounds (7), 1 shy of the tournament record, ended with his 40…The Hooters marked the 80th start of his career… Dropped his first round match in the Match Play Invitational to John Frost for the 2nd straight year… Missed the season-opening Manhattan Beach Championship for the first time in his career.
2015: Played in 6 of 9 tournaments, posting 2 top-3 finishes… Began the season with 2 straight runner up finishes: The season-opening Manhattan Beach Championship was his best finish since winning in 2010; his first round 36 matched his career best single round (2010). The Charly Classic was his best finish since winning in 2011; his Whitsett-round 34 was his best round in his last 3 Charly starts… Suffered his first career loss in the 1st round of the Match Play Invt’l, ending his streak of reaching the Final Four at 6 consecutive appearances; it was his first loss before the Final Four in 9 years; the tournament marked the 75th of his career… Missed the Hooters for the 2nd year in a row after having never missed a start in 9 years… Lost to John Mann on the 5th hole of the Survivor Challenge in just the 2nd triple playoff in tournament history.
2014: Played in 5 of 9 tournaments and finished the year ranked 15th (the lowest finish of his career)… As a #4 seed advanced to his 6th straight Final Four at the Match Play Invt’l. For the 2nd straight year won every hole in his first round match and made it 2 years in a row of having not dropped a hole in the first 2 rounds following his quarterfinal win. Faced his 1st round (Rene Quiroz) and 2nd round (Tim Joe) opponents for the first time in his career… Missed the Hooters for the first time in his career, having played in all 9 previous editions… Did not qualify for the Masters for just the 3rd time in 10 career starts, but 2nd time the last 3 years.
2013: Began his 10th season on the MGM Tour… Had 3 top-3 finishes… Appeared in his 5th straight Final Four at the Match Play Invt’l. As a #5 seed did not drop a hole in the first 2 rounds. He would lose in the semi-finals to eventual winner Doug Vargas… Finished T-3rd in the Griffith Observatory Championship, matching his career best (48) for the 2nd straight start… With partner P-Jay Fidler finished tied for 3rd at the Hooters Team Play Championship. It was his 2nd straight top-3 finish at the Hooters… Won the Masters Qualifier with a 38, a 13-stroke improvement from the previous year… The Survivor Challenge marked the 65th tournament of his career… Played in 7 of 10 tournaments.
2012: Won a dramatic come-from-behind 2nd round match against Chris Moawad in the Grand Lux to make it to his 4th straight Final Four. Due to work, had to forfeit his semi-final match to eventual champion Armen Grigorian… With partner Patrick Bird, finished tied for 2nd in the Hooters, his best finish in 4 years… Posted the 2nd most pars at the inaugural Players Championship in Las Vegas… Did not qualify for the Masters for just the 2nd time in his career… Played in 7 of 10 tournaments.
2011: Won the Charly Invt’l for the 2nd time in 3 years and established a new career par-27 low round (32) in the process… Made it to the finals of the Grand Lux Match Play Invt’l for the first time in his career… Qualified for the Masters for the 2nd straight year… Matched his career best round at the Griffith Observatory Championship… Qualified for the Tournament of Champions for the 3rd consecutive year… Played in 8 of 9 regular season tournaments.
2010: Crowned Player of the Year for the first time in his 6-year career…Won the season opening Manhattan Beach Championship…Finished the year with 6 top-3 finishes…Qualified for the Masters after missing the cut last year for the first time in his career. Finished tied for 2nd…As defending champion, finished runner-up in the Charly Invt’l…Finished 2nd in the Survivor for the second straight year…Was 3rd in the Tour Championship, his best result in the season finale, and in the process established a new career par-27 low round with a front-9 34…Qualified for his 2nd straight Tournament of Champions (but played in his first since 2007). Finished tied for 3rd…Played in 8 of 9 tournaments plus the Tournament of Champions.
2009: Won the Charly Invitational for his 4th career victory and first since 2007. His gross score 36 matched his personal best score on a par-27…Finished tied for 2nd in the Griffith Observatory Championship and established a new personal best with a 48…Finished runner-up in the Survivor Challenge… Missed his tee time at the Tournament of Champions when he was caught behind a traffic accident roadblock in which a pedestrian was struck and killed by a speeding 17-year old driver… Played in 6 of 9 tournaments.
2008: Made it to the final four of the Grand Lux Match Play Invt’l for the 2nd straight year… As defending champions (with Chris Moawad) finished 2nd in the Hooters Team Play Championship… Qualified for the Masters for the 4th straight year; has never missed the cut. Matched his career low round on a par-30 when he shot 38 on the front-9…Played in 6 of 9 tournaments.
2007: Posted 2 wins. The first, the Hooters Team Play Championship with teammate Chris Moawad…Won his first individual-play tournament when he defeated Tim Joe on the 1st sudden death playoff hole of the Survivor Challenge…Made it to the Final-4 of the Grand Lux for the first time in his career…Finished 3rd in the Masters in which he posted a new personal best on a par-30 when he shot a 38 on the back-9…All told, he had 5 top-3 finishes in the 8 tournaments he played in…Finished 4th for Player of the Year, matching his rookie year (’05) for the highest placing of his career… Finished 4th in the Tournament of Champions (delayed until January ’08).
2006: Won his first ever match in the Grand Lux Match Play Invt’l, defeating Patrick Bird and avenging his loss to Bird a year earlier…Qualified for the Masters for the 2nd year in a row and finished 2nd for his highest placing in a non-team event…As a member of Team East won the All Star Shootout for his first career win…Finished 3rd in the inaugural Survivor Challenge for his 3rd straight top-3 finish…Played in 6 of 8 tournaments.
2005: Won Rookie of the Year…Teamed with John Frost, finished 2nd in the Hooters Team Play Championship…Qualified for the inaugural Masters…Finished 2nd as a member of Team East in the All Star Shootout, earning high praise from his teammates for his efforts …Finished 4th (again) in the Jonah Invt’l…Played in all 7 tournaments.
2004: Made his Tour debut in the Jonah Invt’l, finishing 4th in the 10-man field…His 39 (gross) was 3rd best on the day…Played 1 of 2 tournaments in the short season, remaining eligible for 2005 Rookie of the Year contention.
HISTORICALS
MANHATTAN BEACH CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2009 (14) 2010 (13) 2011 (12) 2012 (13) 2013 (10) 2014 (13) 2015 (10) 2016 (7) | 14th [ WINNER ] 7th T-6th 8th 13th 2nd DNP |
CHARLY CLASSIC
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2005 (8) 2006 (12) 2007 (13) 2008 (13) 2009 (13) 2010 (12) 2011 (14) 2012 (14) 2013 (7) 2014 (12) 2015 (10) 2016 (8) 2017 (8) 2018 (7) 2019 (9) 2020 (6) | 4th DNP T-7th DNP [ WINNER ] 2nd [ WINNER ] T-5th DNP 7th 2nd 5th [ WINNER ] DNP T-2nd DNP |
HOOTERS TEAM PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 (4) 2006 (7) 2007 (6) 2008 (6) 2009 (7) 2010 (6) 2011 (7) 2012 (7) 2013 (6) 2014 (6) 2015 (5) 2016 (6) 2017 (6) 2018 (4) 2019 (3) 2020 2021 2022 (3) 2023 (4) 2024 (2) | 2nd with teammate John Frost 4th with teammate John Frost [ WINNER ] with teammate Chris Moawad * 2nd with teammate Chris Moawad 5th with teammate Rene Quiroz 6th with teammate Clint Crump 5th with Travois Gordon T-2nd with teammate Patrick Bird T-3rd with teammate P-Jay Fidler DNP DNP 5th with teammate Doug Vargas 2nd with teammate Walter Vargas DNP 2nd with teammate Patrick Bird no tournament (Covid) no tournament (Covid) DNP [ WINNER ] with teammate Doug Vargas 2nd with teammate Doug Vargas | DeBell, Burbank Arroyo Seco, South Pas DeBell, Burbank Arroyo Seco, South Pas Van Nuys DeBell, Burbank Verdugo Hills Verdugo HIlls DeBell, Burbank Van Nuys Heroes, Westwood Arroyo Seco, South Pas DeBell, Burbank Arroyo Seco, South Pas Arroyo Seco, South Pas - - Heartwell, Long Beach Heartwell, Long Beach Heartwell, Long Beach |
* – won playoff
MGM MATCH PLAY INVITATIONAL
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2005 (12) 2006 (16) 2007 (12) 2008 (16) 2009 (12) 2010 (12) 2011 (14) 2012 (13) 2013 (15) 2014 (14) 2015 (12) 2016 (8) 2017 (11) 2018 2019 (8) 2020 2021 2022 (6) 2023 (6) 2024 (5) | Lost first match after 1st Round bye Lost in 2nd Round Lost in Semi-Finals Lost in Semi-Finals DNP DNP Lost in FINALS Lost in Semi-Finals (forfeit) Lost in Semi-Finals Lost in Semi-Finals Lost in 1st round Lost in 1st round Lost in quarterfinals (after 1st Rd. bye) no tournament Lost in 1st Round no tournament no tournament DNP Lost in 1st Round DNP |
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 (14) 2013 (7) 2014 | 7th DNP - | Las Vegas: Angel Park, Cloud 9 Las Vegas: Angel Park, Mountain CANCELLED |
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2007 (12) 2008 (11) 2009 (16) 2010 (16) 2011 (14) 2012 (11) 2013 (12) 2014 (11) 2015 (9) 2016 (9) 2017 (6) 2018 (7) 2019 (6) 2020 2021 2022 (6) 2023 (6) 2024 (5) | T-11th DNP T-2nd T-12th 5th DNP T-3rd 10th 4th 6th 3rd 2nd 5th no tournament no tournament 5th 4th DNP |
MASTERS (10-man field)
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 | 4th (inaugural edition, 7 man field) 2nd 4th T-5th DNQ T-2nd 8th DNQ T-8th DNQ DNQ DNP 5th 3rd (of 8) Qualified, DNP T-2nd (of 7) no tournament DNP 4th (of 6) DNP |
DEVIL BALL SHOOTOUT
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 2008 2009 2010 (15) 2011 (12) 2012 (12) 2013 (8) 2014 (11) 2015 (10) 2016 (8) 2017 (8) 2018 (8) 2019 (8) 2020 2021 2022 (6) 2023 (8) 2024 (6) | DNP Missed Cut Missed Cut 5th 8th 10th DNP 7th (DNQ; played as alternate) DNP 3rd T-2nd 7th 6th (cancelled) (cancelled) 5th DNP 3rd | Altadena & Los Feliz Altadena & Los Feliz Altadena & Los Feliz Alhambra DeBell, Burbank Eaton Canyon, Pasadena Alhambra DeBell, Burbank Santa Anita Altadena Alhambra Woodley Lakes DeBell, Burbank - - Los Amigos, Downey Alondra Chester Washington |
SURVIVOR CHALLENGE
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2006 (11) 2007 (13) 2008 (16) 2009 (14) 2010 (10) 2011 (9) 2012 (12) 2013 (10) 2014 (11) 2015 (10) 2016 (10) 2017 (8) | 3rd [ WINNER ] (playoff) 16th 2nd 2nd DNP DNP 6th DNP 6th 9th 2nd |
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 (7) 2005 (8) 2006 (11) 2007 (13) 2008 (12) 2009 (8) 2010 (12) 2011 (14) 2012 (13) 2013 (10) 2014 (13) 2015 (8) 2016 (7) 2017 (5) 2018 (7) 2019 (6) 2020 (9) 2021 (6) 2022 (6) 2023 (5) | DNP 6th 8th 9th DNP DNP 3rd T-7th 8th T-6th WD (after 9) 8th Withdrew [ WINNER ] 3rd 2nd T-4th 5th 6th T-3rd | Verdugo Hills Verdugo Hills Verdugo Hills * Verdugo Hills Verdugo Hills Verdugo Hills Verdugo Hills ** El Cariso, Sylmar Scholl Canyon, Glendale Vista Valencia, Valencia Westchester El Cariso, Sylmar Vista Valencia, Valencia Westchester El Cariso, Sylmar Penmar by the Sea, Venice Vista Valencia, Valencia Westchester Chester Washington Westchester |
* – beginning in 2006, tournament was expanded to 18 holes
** – format changed to stroke play
TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 (6) 2007 (5) 2008 (6) 2009 (6) 2010 (6) 2011 (5) 2012 (8) 2013 (5) 2014 (5) 2015 (6) 2016 (6) 2017 (4) 2018 (4) 2019 (4) 2020 2021 2022 (4) 2023 2024 (4) | DNQ 4th DNQ Qualified but missed tee time T-3rd Qualified but did not play DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 3rd DNQ DNQ cancelled, COVID no tournament DNQ combined with 2024 4th | The Lakes @ El Segundo The Lakes @ El Segundo The Lakes @ El Segundo Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea, Palos Verdes - - Terranea, Palos Verdes - Terranea, Palos Verdes |