SAN DIEGO Bryson DeChambeau dominated the 120th U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. I can't wait to play another tournament., Jon Rahm is a big believer in karma. Privacy Policy. 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. Thats why he has three different shots, and he rarely if ever hits it at 100 percent of his power. Westmoreland qualified after shooting a seven-under-par 135 at the qualifier at the Dallas . Even under pressure, I'm performing well. RELATED: Video of 'Teegate' between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed emerges. It makes you feel right at home, he said. Second is a cruise, we call it cruising speed. The cacophony brings Kyle Westmoreland comfort. ", "It's frustrating in the moment when it's happening, but afterwards for me now, I don't really care as much. Learn from Jon Rahms abbreviated action to maximise your power game. After graduating in 2014 Westmoreland completed his five years of service time while mostly stationed in Charleston, S.C., where he practiced on a night driving range. The Official PGA TOUR Profile of Kyle Westmoreland. ClubTest Proving Ground: Do PXG's 0211 XCOR2 irons live up to the hype? Players had until 5 p.m. ET Friday to commit to the event. "For me and the Air Force golf program, this is it. Nine months later, the world is in a very different place and so the USGA accepted 9,069 entries to this years national championship, the eighth-highest total in U.S. Open history. After a tour of the base, and watching fighter jets lift off from the runway (with ear plugs in to block the incredibly loud noise), Westmoreland sat down with me for a guest spot on GOLFs Fully Equipped podcast. 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. Brett Quigley fired a 7-under-par 65 and leads the Champions Tour's Cologuard Classic by 1 shot over John Huston, Kirk Triplett and Brian Cooper. By signing up, you agree to the Golf Channel, All Rights Reserved. Westmoreland has made history this week, becoming the first player from the Air Force Academy to qualify . And, you know, kind of have a foundation built that I wouldnt have had had I not been in the military.. What a better poster guy than Kyle.. Viktor Hovland aces the 7th hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He had three top-10s and made 14 cuts in 26 events during the season. He knows, however, that hitting fairways can be equally as important to his scores as hitting it deep. To perform the drill, simply setup a ruler (preferably a yardstick for its longer length), on a flat surface. 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. "It makes you feel right at home," he said. That was pretty nifty, right? Golf can be confusing and frustrating, but you dont have to go at it alone. Old rivalries die hard. Our results with players at this years Hot List testing show that some players cant carry a 5-iron farther than they fly a 7-iron. ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Want to overhaul your bag for 2021? Are they right? Kyle Westmoreland, an Air Force Academy graduate who's currently navigating the world of professional golf, has a unique perspective on both golf and life. Westmorelands dream was deferred five years but hes made it to his first major before 30 and says hes better for it. 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 . But perhaps an ace is exactly what this ace pilot needed to jumpstart his season. (Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada) With the frame of a linebacker, standing at 6 feet 3 . "This is a game of misses. The time in the Air Force served him well. The cacophony brings Kyle Westmoreland comfort. The guy who misses the best is going to win. Thats Bryson DeChambeau long-drive type numbers. Westmoreland did his best to keep his game sharp while serving. 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 now 27-year-old turned pro after serving five-and-a-half years of active duty for the Air Force. Hurleys best advice to Westmoreland on what he needs to do to make the leap to the PGA Tour? PGA Tour rookie Nico Echavarria shot a 7-under 65 and holds a two-shot lead entering the final round of the Puerto Rico Open. Kyle Westmoreland, a 2014 USAFA graduate, became the first Academy graduate to compete in the U.S. Open, played at Torrey Pines Golf Course, June 17-20, at in San Diego, Calif. Westmoreland is also the first to ever play in one of the PGA's four major championships and became the first . Westmoreland has bench-pressed upwards of 375 pounds and squatted in excess of 500. To show his gratitude for his team, though, Westmoreland displays military badges from various Air Force members and military squadrons. The USGA announced on Thursday four additional exemption categories to the U.S. Open. Kyles inspirational story continues as he earned a coveted PGA TOUR card for the 2022-2023 season by finishing in the Top-25 of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. Kyle Westmoreland (born September 20, 1991) is an American professional golfer. Whats the secret of longevity and good golf? Since he began advancing in the golf scene with his intriguing military background, social media users are questioning a possible connection between him and General William Westmoreland. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Watch a former Air Force captain make his first PGA Tour hole-in-one in spectacular fashion. 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. HyperFlex Carbon The new HyperFlex Carbon offers tour-proven enhancements, delivering unquestioned innovation, comfort, stability and visual design. The cacophony brings Kyle Westmoreland comfort. RELATED: Meet the Air Force captain teeing it up on the PGA Tour. Especially in desert golf, its playing firm, you hit that out there itll go forever. After an opening round 72 (+2) on the Blue Course, Westmoreland rallied to shoot 9-under 63 on the par 72 Gold Course, including a front-nine six-under 29. But thats a story for another day. After narrowly earning his tour card in September, Westmoreland said, "I don't drink, but I need a beer." Its not the only option at the top end of his iron setup, though. The native Texan posted five victories collegiately at the Air Force Academy, and has made five starts on the Korn Ferry Tour and two on the PGA Tour. They live in a high-stress world and a lot of people say golf can be stressful, but I think they handle it well and use golf as an outlet so golfs not stressful for them.. He knows the job cant be done alone, and he doesnt take credit as an individual. 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. He chose to attend. Defending tournament champ Max Homa has committed to play. After graduation in 2014, Westmoreland spent the next three years stationed in Charleston, S.C., and Biloxi, Miss., working in the Air Force's financial-management division. William Westmoreland was born in 1914 near Spartanburg, South Carolina, into a family whose ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Beat Army. So Ill play that, and Ill hit that interchangeably with a 2-iron. The USGA announced on Monday the local and final qualifying sites for the 123rd U.S. Open Championship. Everyone wants to play in the U.S. Open, its, you know, its arguably the hardest, some say the hardest major to get into, Westmoreland said. But not too much. I knew I wouldnt being to play right away, but I hoped it would work out.. Place a golf ball on one end, and putt along the ruler so the golf ball stays on the surface without rolling off the side. If he had it his way, actually, Westmoreland says he wouldnt even have his name stitched onto his PXG staff bag. 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 on terminal leave before discharge. I wanted to learn more about his. "It makes you feel right at home," he said. Photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images. He worked in South Carolina. When Air Force graduate Kyle Westmoreland last year became the first academy alum to compete in the U.S. Open, then-Falcons golf coach George Koury described it as the ultimate. He and his wife, Katherine Stevens Van Deusen, are parents to three childrenKatherine Stevens, James Ripley II, and Margaret Childs. I go through a few days not hitting it well Im like, uh, whats going on. Entries arrived from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 70 foreign countries. 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. As his service commitment drew to a close, Kyle set his sights on professional golf again and even shot a 7-under to qualify for the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Kyle Westmoreland hits out of a bunker on the 13th hole during a practice round of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, Monday, June 14, 2021, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. U.S. Open: Full-field scores | Full coverage. written by Matthew Wilson June 20, 2021 3:29 pm. 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. Lessons learned in the military have given Westmoreland a blueprint for success that he is attempting to apply to golf. Kyle Westmoreland recaps his experience at the U.S. Open. So we have a full swing that goes to about 195. Kyle Westmoreland is on Facebook. Here are 5 things about life, golf and equipment I learned from my sit down with Westmoreland. A top junior player in Katy, Texas, he had numerous offers to play college golf. A professional golf career would have to wait. Kyle Westmoreland (born September 20, 1991) is an American professional golfer . I couldnt ask for anything more, the institution couldnt ask for anything more and I just want this to be a springboard for him moving forward, Air Force golf coach George Koury said. Also Read: Are Brian Harman and Butch Harmon Related? U.S. Open 2021: Meet Kyle Westmoreland, The First Air Force Veteran to Make Cut in a Major. 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. Rarely does Westmoreland use the word I. As a military man, he values the team he has around him whether its his fellow Air Force members, lieutenants, sponsors, golf coaches, or wife. He lives in Katy, just a 25-minute drive from the Houston . But it doesnt have to be a stressor, it can be a stress reliever. Join Facebook to connect with Kyle Westmoreland and others you may know. Everything you need to know for the final round at Bay Hill. 1:47 Kyle Westmoreland took a moment on the 18th hole to take in the surroundings. 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. [2][3] He was medalist at local qualifying during the qualification process. 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. Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf. He was blessed with speed, and hes worked with Alan Terrell, who coached Dustin Johnson at Coastal Carolina, and Jeff Smith, who has a large stable of Tour pros, on reigning in his swing just a bit. Its a championship for many that starts with a dream. He earned $122,575 in on-course winnings during the 2022 campaign. "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. Finished T-9 2022 Nationwide Childrens Hospital Open 7th 2022 Wichita Open, Finished T-7 2022 Advent Health Championship, Finished T-15 2022 Chitimacha Louisiana Open, Finished T-25 2022 The Panama Championship, Finished T-3 2021 ATP Paragon Casino Championship 2nd 2021 ST Atlanta 2nd 2021 SST Las Vegas 1ST 2021 U.S. Open Local Qualifier 4th 2021 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier, United States Air Force Academy Male Athlete of the Year (2014). Since its opening in March 1993, the golf course at Links Hope Island has regularly featured among the leading courses in Australia. 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. His father introduced him to golf when he was seven and he has been on the greens since. For this interview, though, we dove into the backstory of Westmoreland, his experiences in the military, his transition into professional golf after serving active duty, what hes learned along the way, and, OK, maybe a little about golf equipment, too. 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. Are Brian Harman and Butch Harmon Related. Which ball counts? 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. He has the pedigree, too: his grandfather Bob was a left tackle and . Latest on Kyle Westmoreland including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN I have one where the ball speed goes to about 155 mph and flies about 250, and rolls out to 280. Lee Trevino, a former Marine, won the title in 1968, and the Army veteran nicknamed Sarge, Orville Moody, claimed the title a year later. It can rightfully be call the peoples championship once more. I know who I am now and what my priorities are. 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. 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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. He earned his PGA Tour card for the 202223 season via the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals. Westmoreland is one of the few pro golfers left with a 1-iron in his bag. 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. While at the Nellis base between poses in front of the Thunderbirds F-16 fighter jets Westmoreland was able to catch up with his buddies who are currently serving in the military and stationed in Las Vegas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images). pic.twitter.com/eJz7j544iB, Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) September 5, 2022. The Official PGA TOUR Profile of Kyle Westmoreland. One day it would be a 6-iron, a 7-iron the next, an 8-iron after that anything to play and stay sharp. [4], He has also had status on PGA Tour Canada.[5]. SHARE ON. He and his sister were raised in Katy by their parents, Don and Kim Westmoreland. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. However, the golfers family has no evident relation to the former chief of staff of the U.S. Army. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). 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. He worked hard, he continues to work hard and its awesome to see him have some fruits of that labor, Koury said. I've already won it. He chose to attend Air Force, not exactly known as a golf powerhouse, but a place where he would be pushed and get good coaching. 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. Rules Review: What is casual water and how do I play around it? [2][3] He was medalist at local qualifying during the qualification process. Skoronski is productive: in three seasons as Northwestern's starting left tackle, he allowed just five sacks in 2,364 snaps. Kyle Westmoreland was born on September 20, 1991, and hails from Texas. "It felt like such a fairy tale story. Westmoreland made the cut at the 2021 U.S. Open with a tie for 68th place, becoming the first Air Force Academy graduate to do so. But as a Captain, Kyle had his priorities in place, which meant serving his country for the next five years. Kyle Westmoreland (born September 20, 1991) is an American professional golfer. During his five years in the Air Force, he won four college tournaments, earned All-Honors and even was named the Air Force Academys Male Athlete of the Year. The broad-shouldered big hitter has shown he has the game to play with the worlds best players, climbing the leaderboard before a triple bogey on the par-4 14th hole knocked him down a few notches. 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. Westmoreland qualified after shooting a seven-under-par 135, tying him for fourth overall at the Dallas qualifier. This year there were 108 local qualifying sites between April 26-May 17 that led to 11 final qualifiers, including an international site in Japan. William Westmoreland served as the chief of staff of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. I play with kind of three different driver swings, Westmoreland said. I wanted to learn more about his backstory and outlook, and also understand how a military man could possibly have enough time to ready his golf game to compete professionally.