Starting a career in professional golf at a later age may seem like an unlikely dream, but it is not uncommon. Many pro golfers have overcome obstacles and found success later in life, showing that you don’t have to be a child prodigy to make it big in the sport.
Pro golfers who started late include Tom Watson, Vijay Singh, and Phil Mickelson. Despite their late start, these players all managed to reach the highest levels of the sport. They serve as inspiration that it is never too late to pursue your dreams, no matter what they may be.
The rest of this article will explore the stories of these golfers who started late to show that age is nothing but a number when it comes to achieving success.
1. Tom Watson
One of the most inspirational stories belongs to Tom Watson, who didn’t take up the sport until his mid-20s. After being introduced to the game by his father-in-law, Watson quickly rose up the ranks and is now regarded as one of the best players in golf history. However, he won his first major championship when he was 33.
Watson won eight major championships and 39 PGA Tour events throughout his career. He was known for his consistency and ability to perform at the highest level under pressure. Watson was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team multiple times and served as the team’s captain in 1993.
In addition to his success on the course, Watson was known for his sportsmanship and contributions to golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988 and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers to ever play.
2. Vijay Singh
Another remarkable story is that of Vijay Singh, who didn’t take up the sport until he was 22 years old. After learning the game from friends, Singh moved to Europe and began competing in smaller tournaments. He worked his way up the ranks and eventually qualified for the European Tour in 1989.
After turning pro, Singh struggled to find success on the PGA Tour. He did not win his first PGA Tour event until he was 31. However, he became one of the most successful golfers once he broke through.
Throughout his career, Singh won three major championships and over 80 PGA Tour events. He spent a total of 32 weeks ranked as the number-one golfer in the world and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2006.
3. Phil Mickelson
Born in 1970, ”lefty”, as he is famously known, began playing golf at a young age, but he didn’t make his professional debut until he was 22. Despite the late start, Mickelson quickly established himself as one of the best golf players. He won his first major championship at age 34 and has gone on to become one of the most decorated players in golf history.
Throughout his career, Mickelson has won 44 tournaments worldwide, including five major championships. He is the oldest player to ever make a cut at the Masters, and he was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.