Age: 51
Height: 5’11”
Residence: Tarzana, CA
Joined Tour: 2006
Years on Tour: 19
Active: 17
Career Stats:
Tournaments Played: 86
Victories: 5 (2 Majors)
Tour Championship: 2012, 2021
The Charly Classic: 2015
Griffith Observatory Championship: 2009
Devil Ball Shootout: 2011
Player of the Year Rank:
2006: 7th/17
2007: 5th/16
2008: 9th/17
2009: 3rd/17 (1 win)
2010: 12th/17
2011: 5th/16 (1 win)
2012: 12th/15 (1 win)
2013: 4th/15
2014: 10th/15
2015: 9th/16 (1 win)
2016: 14th/16
2017: 11th/13
2018: Did not play
2019: Did not play
2020: Covid year
2021: no rankings ( 1 win )
2022: 10th/10
2023: 7th/9
Record in match play: 8-12
Lowest Round Par-27: 31 (2009 first round Manhattan Beach Championship)
Lowest Round Par-29: 36 (2008 Masters Qualifier)
Lowest Rounds Masters: 81 (2009); front 9: 39 (2007); back 9: 40 (2009)
Lowest Round Par-30: 35 (back 9, 2012 Tour Championship, Scholl)
Lowest Round: Griffith Observatory Championship (par-33): 38 (2010)*
*-Tour record
Career Highlights:
2023: Played in 4 of 7 events, finishing the year ranked 7th, his highest finish since the 2013 season where he ended the year ranked #4… Runner-up at the Masters, the highest finish of his Masters career; his 85 was his best score in his last 5 starts at Scholl… Was the first round co-leader in the inaugural South Bay Challenge but did not play the final 2 rounds. His 2 birdies did hold up as the most birdies to earn him the $20 birdie pot (rolled over from last season). The money haul moved him from 11th to 6th on the career birdie pool earnings list… Was paired with Martin Witt for the first time in his career for the Hooters Championship.
2022: Played in 4 of 7 events, finishing the year ranked 7th, his highest finish since the 2013 season where he ended the year ranked #4… Runner-up at the Masters, the highest finish of his Masters career; his 85 was his best score in his last 5 starts at Scholl… Was the first round co-leader in the inaugural South Bay Challenge but did not play the final 2 rounds. His 2 birdies did hold up as the most birdies to earn him the $20 birdie pot (rolled over from last season). The money haul moved him from 11th to 6th on the career birdie pool earnings list… Was paired with Martin Witt for the first time in his career for the Hooters Championship.
2022: As defending champion finished 3rd at the Tour Championship, in his only start of the season (the 80th of his career).
2021: Won the Tour Championship for the 2nd time (2012). The win, his 2nd in a major, was his first since winning the Charly Classic in 2015.
2020: Made his long awaited return to the Tour after 3 years, finishing 4th in the Masters. His last Tour appearance had been the Masters in 2017 (April 30th).
2019: Did not play.
2018: Did not play.
2017: Reached the finals of the Match Play Invitational for the 2nd time in his career (both at Los Feliz) where he would again finish runner-up, this time to #2 seed Chris Moawad. Lost just 2 holes to Moawad in the finals, but failed to win any. As the #9 seed defeated #8 Doug Vargas in the first round. Then, in a sudden death playoff hole against defending champion Ed Quiroz in the quarterfinals, holed out from off the green, sinking a 15-foot putt to advance to the final four. Defeated #5 Clint Crump to advance to the finals… For the 2nd year in a row played in a career-low 2 tournaments. Among the tournaments he missed were the Survivor Challenge, Tour Championship, and Griffith, all of which he missed for the 3rd straight year.
2016: Finished the season ranked a career-worst 14th after playing just 2 tournaments… Missed the Devil Ball Shootout for the first time in his career, the last tournament he had yet to miss… The Charly Classic marked the 75th tournament of his career.
2015: Member of the famed 2006 rookie class celebrating 10 years on the MGM Tour… Played in 5 of 9 regular season tournaments, and finished the year ranked 9th… Won the Charly Classic for the first time in his career; shot a new career-best Whitsett round (33), besting his previous best score (34) established in 2006; 1 of 2 golfers with birdies to split the $10 birdie pool; started +5 thru 3, then finished just +1 over the final 6 holes. The victory was his 4th career win on Tour, and first win since 2012, ending a 17 tournament winless streak… Played the Masters as an alternate, finishing T4; shot the 2nd best Devil’s Gulch score (+4)… The Match Play Invt’l marked his 70th career start… Qualified for, and played in the Tournament of Champions for the first time since 2012. Finished 2nd (tie) for the 2nd time in his last 3 starts.
2014: Played in 8 of 9 tournaments and finished the year ranked 10th, continuing an up and down trend that shows high finishes in odd-numbered years and low finishes in even-numbered… Began the season (Manhattan Beach) making the 60th start of his career… Finished 2nd at the Hooters with teammate Walter Vargas, giving him his 5th straight top-3 finish… As the #7 seed won his first round match against #10 John Mann in their first career match against one another… Failed to qualify for the Masters for just the 2nd time in 9 career attempts… In just his 2nd start in the last 5 years at the Survivor, became “that” guy.
2013: Finished in the top-3 in half his starts and in the top-3 in 2 of 3 Majors… Made it to the Finals in the Match Play Invt’l for the first time in his career, losing on the final hole against Doug Vargas. He had been a career 1-7 in match play prior to this year’s edition… As defending champion finished tied for 3rd in the Tour Championship (he led after the front-9)… With teammate Gerry Vaughan finished tied for 3rd in the Hooters Team Play Championship. It was his 4th straight top-3 finish and 5th in 7 Hooters starts… Finished 2nd in Las Vegas at The Players Championship… Finished no worse than 6th in any tournament he played… In 3 of 5 stroke play tournament starts placed in the top-3 for gross scores… Finished the year ranked 4th, his highest finish in 4 years and 2nd highest of his career… The Tour Championship marked the 60th tournament of his career… Played in 8 of 10 tournaments.
2012: Recorded his 3rd career victory and first “major” winning the Tour Championship. Shot a career best 76 at Scholl, breaking 80 for the first time. Broke 40 on the back-9 for the first time and finished with the most birdies… Tied for 4th at the Masters for the 2nd straight year. Had the 2nd most pars… Finished 11th at the Griffiths, snapping his streak of never finishing worse than 2nd… The Survivor Challenge marked the 50th tournament of his career… Finished 5th in the Tournament of Champions… Played in 8 of 10 regular season tournaments.
2011: Picked up his 2nd career win when he won the Devil Ball Shootout… Was 2nd in the Griffith Observatory Championship for the 3rd time. Has never finished lower than 2nd… Was 2nd (with teammate Chris Moawad) in the Hooters for the 2nd straight year… Placed 4th at the Masters, his best result in 4 years… Finished 4th at the new, more challenging Tour Championship… Played in the Tournament of Champions for the 2nd time in his career and finished tied for 2nd, 1 stroke out of first… Played in 7 of 9 regular season tournaments plus the Tournament of Champions.
2010: As defending Champion at the Griffith Observatory Championship (finished 2nd), set a new tournament record with a 38 gross, 2 strokes better than the record low he set the previous year. In 3 Griffiths appearances, has not finished worse than 2nd…With teammate Travois Gordón finished 2nd in the Hooters Team Play Championship, his best finish in that tournament…Missed the cut for the Masters for the first time in his career…Following his (3rd straight) forfeit at the Grand Lux missed the remainder of the season…Finished the year ranked #12, the worst ranking of his career…Played in 4 of 9 tournaments (career low).
2009: Finished the season ranked 3rd, the highest of his career…Won the Griffith Observatory Championship, his first career win on Tour after 3 seasons. His gross score 40 established a new Tour record…Finished 2nd in the Manhattan Beach Championship. Had the best gross score and his first round 31 established a new personal best par-27 round…Finished 2nd in the Charly Invt’l…Placed 3rd (with teammate Gil Ferro) in the Hooters Team Play Championship…Finished 3rd in the Survivor Challenge…All told he had 5 top-3 finishes…Maintained his streak of qualifying for the Masters since beginning his Tour career…Played in his first Tournament of Champions…Played in 8 of 9 tournaments.
2008: Earned his first career match play victory with his opening round 3 and 2 win over Martin Witt in the Grand Lux Match Play Invt’l…Qualified for the Masters for the 3rd straight year and established a new career-best at the Qualifier with a 36; has not missed the cut since joining the Tour…Finished 4th in his Survivor Challenge debut…Played in 7 of 9 tournaments.
2007: Had 4 top-3 finishes, three of which were top-2 finishes…Tied for 2nd in the inaugural Griffith Observatory Championship…Tied for 3rd in the Masters in which he set two new personal bests (40 in the Qualifier and a 39 front-9 Masters)…Runner up in the All-Star Shootout…Finished the year with a 2nd place in the Tour Championship…Played in 8 of 9 tournaments.
2006: Made an impressive Tour debut, shooting a 35 in the season-opening Captain & PIG…Partnered with Clint Crump, finished 3rd in the Hooters Team Play Championship…Qualified for the Masters…Missed the next two tournaments following the Masters but returned to finish 3rd in the 12-player field of the Charly Invt’l…Finished 4th/11 in the Tour Championship. His front-9 32 was 2nd best 9-hole score of the tournament and was his lowest par-27 round of the season…Finished 3rd for Rookie of the Year…Played in 6 of 8 tournaments.
HISTORICALS
MANHATTAN BEACH CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2009 (14) 2010 (13) 2011 (12) 2012 (13) 2013 (10) 2014 (13) 2015 (10) 2016 (7) | 2nd 7th DNP 12th DNP 10th DNP 6th |
CHARLY CLASSIC
| Year (field) | FInish |
|---|---|
| 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) | T-3rd 6th T-6th 2nd DNP 14th DNP 5th T-8th [ WINNER ] 7th DNP DNP |
HOOTERS TEAM PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 3rd with teammate Clint Crump 4th with teammate Clint Crump 4th with teammate Cary Sachs 3rd with teammate Gil Ferro 2nd with teammate Travois Gordón 2nd with teammate Chris Moawad DNP T-3rd with teammate Gerry Vaughan 2nd with teammate Walter Vargas 4th with teammate Patrick Bird DNP DNP DNP; took season off DNP; took season off no tournament (Covid) no tournament (Covid) DNP 4th with teammate Martin Witt | 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 |
MGM MATCH PLAY INVITATIONAL
| Year (field) | Finish |
|---|---|
| 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 2020 2021 2022 (6) 2023 (6) | Lost in 1st Round Lost in 1st Round Lost in 2nd Round (forfeit) Lost in 1st Round (forfeit) Lost in 1st Round (forfeit) Lost in 1st Round Lost in 1st Round Lost in FINALS Lost in 2nd Round Lost in 1st Round DNP Lost in FINALS no tournament DNP no tournament no tournament DNP Lost in 1st Round |
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 (14) 2013 (7) 2014 | 14th 2nd - | 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) | T-2nd DNP [ WINNER ] 2nd T-2nd 11th T-5th 8th DNP DNP (elbow) DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP |
MASTERS (10-man field)
| Year | Finish |
|---|---|
| 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 | 9th T-3rd 10th T-5th (11 man field) DNQ T-4th T-4th 6th DNQ T-4th (DNQ; played as alternate) DNP T-6th - - 4th (of 7) no tournament DNP 2nd (of 6) 4th (of 5) |
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) | 2nd Missed Cut Missed Cut 12th [ WINNER ] 6th (DNQ; played as alternate) 5th 9th 10th DNQ DNP DNP DNP (cancelled) (cancelled) DNP DNP 4th | 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) | DNP DNP 4th 3rd DNP DNP 7th DNP 11th DNP DNP DNP |
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
| Year (field) | Finish | Course |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 4th 2nd 11th 7th DNP 4th [ WINNER ] T-3rd T-10th DNP DNP DNP DNP; took season off DNP; took season off DNP [ WINNER ] 3rd DNP | 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 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) | DNQ DNQ DNQ 6th DNQ T-2nd 5th DNQ DNQ T-2nd DNQ DNQ DNQ | 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 |