A Captain in the Air Force, he turned to full-time professional golf upon his discharge in summer 2019, even Monday qualifying for the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank while . Between graduating from the Air Force Academy and turning professional, Westmoreland served in the military for half a decade while most of his current contemporaries in pro golf were honing their games. He chose to attend. Torrential storms forced the qualifier to extend to Tuesday and during one of the rain delays Westmoreland heard from none other than PGA Tour winner Billy Hurley, a graduate of the Naval Academy. So Ill play that, and Ill hit that interchangeably with a 2-iron. Kyle Westmoreland (born September 20, 1991) is an American professional golfer. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. I wanted to learn more about his. I play with kind of three different driver swings, Westmoreland said. For men like Captain Westmoreland who have clawed their way into the field at one of the most prestigious championships in golf, this week is about dreams coming true, of a lifetime of hard work, of perseverance paying off. A top junior player in Katy, Texas, he had numerous offers to play college golf. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images). One day it would be a 6-iron, a 7-iron the next, an 8-iron after that anything to play and stay sharp. Westmoreland attended Air Force Academy before putting his pro golf dreams on hold for five years to serve his country, earning the rank of captain. [5], In 2022, Westmoreland played on the Korn Ferry Tour with a best finish of T-7th place at AdventHealth Championship.[6]. He had three top-10s and made 14 cuts in 26 events during the season. They are friends and frequent competitors back home in Charleston at Daniel Island Club despite the inter-service rivalry. For regular citizen golfers, theres an important lesson that can be learned here. The cacophony brings Kyle Westmoreland comfort. Kurt Kitayama took advantage of Jon Rahm's struggles on Friday, shooting a 4-under 68 to grab a two-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Since its opening in March 1993, the golf course at Links Hope Island has regularly featured among the leading courses in Australia. "It makes you feel right at home," he said. Im in a better mental headspace, he said. There were also three new members elected to the USGA executive committee. He made the cut in the 2021 U.S. Open, becoming the first Air Force Academy graduate to do so. However, the golfers family has no evident relation to the former chief of staff of the U.S. Army. Westmoreland, who saw his score inch up in the wrong direction each day this week, posted scores of 69-70-71-72 and finished 6 under, 15 shots back of Korn Ferry Tour Championship winner Justin Suh. I wanted to challenge myself. He was 13th in driving distance on the Korn Ferry Tour at 319 yards. That left Westmoreland to work on his short game at night in his room, or on the practice green. He was also active in his squadron as a flight commander. Remember, not all golf courses are the same, so your 14-club equipment setup doesnt always have to be the same either. The academy seemed hard, Westmoreland said. And, you know, kind of have a foundation built that I wouldnt have had had I not been in the military.. He is survived by his wife and kids. And, you're probably right. Westmoreland bounced back nicely, though, and was seven shots behind co-leaders Richard Bland and Russell Henley at 2 over in good position to become the first person from the Air Force Academy to make the cut at the U.S. Open. "For me and the Air Force golf program, this is it. Volition America donates a portion of its profits to the Folds of Honor, a foundation that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen soldiers, and Westmoreland wears the Puma x Volition America apparel proudly. In doing so, the Air Force veteran noticed the Patriots' Outpost, a viewing area exclusive to military. He . Join Facebook to connect with Kyle Westmoreland and others you may know. U.S. Open: Kyle Westmoreland is first Air Force Academy grad to compete The U.S. Open is open again for the likes of Captain Kyle Westmoreland Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports Adam Schupak. Golf can be confusing and frustrating, but you dont have to go at it alone. We know what you're thinking after reading that headline: Any hole-in-one is spectacular. No wonder hes hit so many on-line putts on Torrey Pines tricky greens this week. Well, its actually the loft of a 2-iron, he says, but the 1 looks cleaner. Admittedly, having a 1-iron in the bag does look pretty cool. Then if were trying to long drive it for whatever reason, we can get it up to about 206.. Viktor Hovland aces the 7th hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. RELATED: Video of 'Teegate' between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed emerges. The next PGA Tour season starts in Napa, California, at the Fortinet Championship, Sept. 15-18. "Meet the Air Force captain playing on the PGA Tour this week", "Kyle Westmoreland becomes first Air Force player to make cut at U.S. Open", "2021 U.S. Open prize money, purse: Payouts, winnings for each golfer from huge $12.5 million pool", "The U.S. Open is open again for the likes of Captain Kyle Westmoreland", "U.S. Open 2021: This Air Force veteran won't win this week, but he embodies what the National Open is all about", "Kyle Westmoreland set for Korn Ferry Tour season with overhauled swing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kyle_Westmoreland&oldid=1135445292, 2013 Jackrabbit Invitational, Gene Miranda Falcon Invite, Patriot All-America, This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 18:36. He knows, however, that hitting fairways can be equally as important to his scores as hitting it deep. He said, Figure out what youre good at and get really good at it, Westmoreland said. Defending tournament champ Max Homa has committed to play. He and his wife, Katherine Stevens Van Deusen, are parents to three childrenKatherine Stevens, James Ripley II, and Margaret Childs. Westmoreland's journey to Torrey Pines is one of the more unique ones in the 156-player field. Terms of Service These are dollar and a dream stories, and this year 19 U.S. Open qualifiers advanced through both local and final qualifying. The golf community on social media cant help but wonder if he is related to General William Westmoreland, the late commander of the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. Discover what makes RSM the first choice advisor to middle market leaders, globally. But they play three times a year; enjoying golf has become a great pastime of theirs and it blows off steam. There's been a batch of unforgettable at Torrey Pines particularly on its par-5 closing hole so let's take a trip down memory lane. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Ahead of the 2021 Shriners Childrens Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Westmorelands team invited me to join him for a Volition America x Puma photo shoot on the nearby Nellis Air Force Base. That was pretty nifty, right? pic.twitter.com/eJz7j544iB, Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) September 5, 2022. These are just a few examples, but experiment with a number of options at the top end of your set so youre ready for ever-changing golf course conditions. It's also believed to be the first hole-in-one of Westmoreland's life, so nice spot to do it with the cameras rolling. All rights reserved. [4], He has also had status on PGA Tour Canada.[5]. And its why the U.S. Open being a true open again is another welcome sign that life is returning to something resembling normal. Kyle Westmoreland is a 30-year-old Houston native who spent five-and-a-half years on active duty in the Air Force following graduation from the Air Force Academy. But as a Captain, Kyle had his priorities in place, which meant serving his country for the next five years. RSM US LLP is a limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms. Kyle Westmoreland's last start on the PGA TOUR came at the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Tardy was one of 46 players to get LPGA Tour cards for the 2023 season on Sunday after the conclusion of the eight-round marathon that is LPGA Q Series. HyperFlex Carbon The new HyperFlex Carbon offers tour-proven enhancements, delivering unquestioned innovation, comfort, stability and visual design. Despite the trouble guarding so many of the greens at PGA Nationals Champion course, Kirk managed to hit 54 of 72 greens to rank T-7 for the week, while posting a strokes gained/approach mark of 7.643 strokes gained on the field to rank second. The Grant Thornton Invitational, the new mixed event that is replacing the QBE Shootout, will include 16 teams of players from the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour competing in a three-day tournament for a . Westmoreland actually said he used to be a lot faster than Bryson, but hes since put those days behind him, prioritizing accuracy rather than distance. The PGA Tour rookie and former Air Force captain arrived at the 201-yard 16th hole (his seventh of the day) at Torrey Pines South at one over. HyperFlex Carbon offers additional underfoot cushioning with an OrthoLite Impressions FitBed. Typically, our Fully Equipped podcast focuses on golf equipment industry news, club reviews and gear education. Its often forgotten that design contribution extended all the way to Australia, where Arnold Palmer in his playing days won an Australian Open and Wills Masters title. College career [ edit] Westmoreland competed for the United States Air Force Academy where he was named male athlete of the year in 2014 after finishing 4th at the Mountain West Conference championships. He played golf in the U.S. Air Force Academy where he was named male athlete of the year in 2014. 7 interesting gear finds inside Tommy Fleetwood's golf bag | Bag Spy, Upgrade your bag with these Arnold Palmer head covers, How to prevent golf-club damage | Fully Equipped Mailbag, Don't risk buying counterfeit golf clubs | Fully Equipped podcast, FIRST LOOK: PXG launches its first golf ball the PXG Xtreme, New PXG golf clubs for 2023 (drivers, irons, fairway woods, hybrids) | ClubTest 2023, How a PXG fitting helped this 12-handicap pick up nearly 20 yards | 2023 ClubTest, FIRST LOOK: PXG's new 0211 drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, FIRST LOOK: PXG's 0317 ST Blade irons are geared for the elite ball-striker, How this golf-equipment company is helping to make the game more diverse and inclusive, PXG enters uncharted territory with latest equipment release. Westmoreland competed for the United States Air Force Academy where he was named male athlete of the year in 2014 after finishing 4th at the Mountain West Conference championships. Find a fitting location near you at GOLFs affiliate companyTrueSpecGolf. General Westmoreland passed away on July 18, 2005, after battling Alzheimers. Kyle Westmoreland, a 2014 USAFA graduate, will compete in the 121 st U.S. Open Championship, June 17-20, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, Calif. Westmoreland is the first Academy graduate to compete in the U.S. Open and the first to ever play in one of the PGA's four major championships. He earned $122,575 in on-course winnings during the 2022 campaign. Westmoreland received a sponsors invite to play in the Shriners Open, and he also recently made history at the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, becoming the first ever Air Force Academy graduate to qualify for the event. Kyle Westmoreland was born on September 20, 1991, and hails from Texas. [4], He has also had status on PGA Tour Canada. https://www.usopen.com/watch/features/2021/06/15/backstories-with-baileykyle-westmoreland6258979517001.html. Lee Trevino, a former Marine, won the title in 1968, and the Army veteran nicknamed Sarge, Orville Moody, claimed the title a year later. Allow Jeff Hall, the USGAs managing director of rules and Opens, to explain its importance: The openness of this championship is what truly sets it apart from all others, he said. He earned his PGA Tour card for the 202223 season via the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals. 5 great reasons to put Bonville at the top of your list in 2023, Course flyover: The Western Australian Golf Club. But when you see the one Kyle Westmoreland made on Wednesday during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open you'll also agree this was particularly pleasing to the eye. Westmoreland qualified after shooting a seven-under-par 135, tying him for fourth overall at the Dallas qualifier. Westmoreland has serious speed off the tee, saying he tops out at 206 mph of ball speed with his driver. Old rivalries die hard. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below! Its easier to do than you might think. Every golfer dreams of getting their handicap down, and weve got news for you. Westmoreland has made history this week, becoming the first player from the Air Force Academy to. [1] Professional career [ edit] Qualifying is a cherished part of what makes the Open the Open. Kyle had a strong 2022 season on the Korn Ferry Tour, as he had three top-10 finishes and was 13th on Tour in driving distance. The 2020 edition was the U.S. Closed. The time in the Air Force served him well. But it was good enough for Westmoreland, the first Air Force grad to play in a U.S. Open , to earn his place on Tour for the 2022-23 season. He carries a 3-iron, 4-iron and a 3-wood, and he will leave one of those out of his bag come competition time. Lessons learned in the military have given Westmoreland a blueprint for success that he is attempting to apply to golf. Players had until 5 p.m. However, theres no evidence of a familial connection between the late general and Kyle Westmorelands family.
kyle westmoreland grandfather