Kyle Westmoreland was born on September 20, 1991, and hails from Texas. 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. He is now the first and only Air Force Academy graduate to earn a PGA TOUR card. PGA TOUR Stats, bio, video, photos, results, and career highlights Terms of Service Kyle Westmoreland was born on September 20, 1991, and hails from Texas. But he never wavered on his goal of playing professional golf. 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: How to watch, TV schedule, streaming, tee times, Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America, 7 interesting gear finds inside Tommy Fleetwoods golf bag | Bag Spy, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, Westmoreland with his some friends from the Air Force. Kyle Westmoreland Profiles | Facebook 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. 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.. Air Force grad (and pro golfer) Kyle Westmoreland: 5 things I learned Player's Take: Kyle Westmoreland - PGATour Copyright 1996 - He makes that decision based on which of the clubs hes likely to use most often at different courses and in different conditions. Beat Army, Sink Navy. I play with kind of three different driver swings, Westmoreland said. 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. Typically, our Fully Equipped podcast focuses on golf equipment industry news, club reviews and gear education. 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. And its why the U.S. Open being a true open again is another welcome sign that life is returning to something resembling normal. "This is a game of misses. 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. Air Force Academy Athletics Latest on Kyle Westmoreland including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN RELATED: Video of 'Teegate' between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed emerges. [2][3] He was medalist at local qualifying during the qualification process. Air Force grad Kyle Westmoreland makes golf history by earning PGA Tour He made the cut in the 2021 U.S. Open, becoming the first Air Force Academy graduate to do so. He earned his PGA Tour card for the 202223 season via the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals. [1], 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. Both stages of qualifying were canceled last year due to the pandemic. 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 . Then if were trying to long drive it for whatever reason, we can get it up to about 206.. Kyle Westmoreland comes full circle at Cadence Bank Houston Open They dont play very oftenbut when they get out there they still hit it good somehow, Westmoreland said on Fully Equipped. 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. U.S. Open 2021: Meet Kyle Westmoreland, The First Air Force Veteran to Make Cut in a Major. 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. In the summer of 2019, he turned to golf full time, and earned the 25th and final PGA Tour card available at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in September. If youre playing in windy conditions, consider keeping a driving iron or long iron on deck for a more penetrating flight. The now 27-year-old turned pro after serving five-and-a-half years of active duty for the Air Force. There were also three new members elected to the USGA executive committee. A top junior player in Katy, Texas, he had numerous offers to play college golf. U.S. Open 2021: This Air Force veteran won't win this week, but he 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. He and his sister were raised in Katy by their parents, Don and Kim Westmoreland. He worked in South Carolina. Kyle Westmoreland's journey to pro golf began at the Air Force Academy. The 156-player field includes 88 fully exempt golfers, which is too many, in my humble opinion, and in conflict with its reputation of being the most democratic championship. HyperFlex Carbon offers additional underfoot cushioning with an OrthoLite Impressions FitBed. US Open 2021: Meet Kyle Westmoreland, Air Force Vet Who Made Cut - Outsider Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information (California). 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. 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. What a better poster guy than Kyle.. Facebook gives people the. Especially in desert golf, its playing firm, you hit that out there itll go forever. 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. Likewise, Captain Kyle Westmoreland booked his debut becoming the first Air Force Academy graduate to compete in the U.S. Open and the first to play in one of golfs four major championships. [2][3] He was medalist at local qualifying during the qualification process. Jed Morgan scores LIV Golfs golden ticket as big-name stars plan Aussie escape. 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. If youre playing a short and tight course, for example, maybe you want to put a hybrid or high-lofted fairway wood in the bag to hit off the tee. One day it would be a 6-iron, a 7-iron the next, an 8-iron after that anything to play and stay sharp. It makes you feel right at home, he said. And, you're probably right. In the summer of 2019, he turned to golf full. Kyle Westmoreland PGA TOUR Player Profile, Stats, Bio, Career So Ill play that, and Ill hit that interchangeably with a 2-iron. 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 first Air Force Academy graduate earn PGA Tour card I wanted to learn more about his. Join Facebook to connect with Kyle Westmoreland and others you may know. Even under pressure, I'm performing well. I've already won it. No wonder hes hit so many on-line putts on Torrey Pines tricky greens this week. All rights reserved. Photo by Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports. A top junior player in Katy, Texas, he had numerous offers to play college golf. Every architect wants their holes to be challenging, entertaining and pretty, but these are the things that happen on the surface, and only after other critical elements have been put in place. While he did have access to a golf course on the base, other duties always came first (obviously). 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. ", "It's frustrating in the moment when it's happening, but afterwards for me now, I don't really care as much. 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. He is survived by his wife and kids. Its easier to do than you might think. Air Force Captain Kyle Westmoreland looking to take flight at 2020 Westmoreland qualified after shooting a seven-under-par 135, tying him for fourth overall at the Dallas qualifier. 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. Westmoreland has made history this week, becoming the first player from the Air Force Academy to qualify . Its a very controlled cut and I play that about 185 to 188 mph. Defending tournament champ Max Homa has committed to play. Five years of service did nothing to blunt his game. But it doesnt have to be a stressor, it can be a stress reliever. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Westmoreland thriving at U.S. Open after Air Force service - Yahoo! News By signing up, you agree to the HyperFlex Carbon The new HyperFlex Carbon offers tour-proven enhancements, delivering unquestioned innovation, comfort, stability and visual design. He earned $122,575 in on-course winnings during the 2022 campaign. Many of the greens where he served were bumpy, so he would practice on a ruler instead. Im in a better mental headspace, he said. 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. Sink Navy. And, you know, kind of have a foundation built that I wouldnt have had had I not been in the military.. 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. Even when you cant get to a golf course, you can still work on your putting nearly anywhere. He has the pedigree, too: his grandfather Bob was a left tackle and . He played golf in the U.S. Air Force Academy where he was named male athlete of the year in 2014. PGA Tour rookie Carson Young, seeking his first win, posted a 5-under 67 on Friday and built a 4-shot lead going into the weekend at the Puerto Rico Open. But can a league that embraced 54 holes, team golf and shotgun starts sustain? "Go Air Force. It doesnt have enough spin or loft to leave the fairway. Whats the secret of longevity and good golf? Kyle Westmoreland's last start on the PGA TOUR came at the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open. 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. 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. Watch a former Air Force captain make his first PGA Tour hole-in-one in (Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada) With the frame of a linebacker, standing at 6 feet 3 . Its immaterial that Ken Venturi (1964) andOrville Moody (1969) are the only players to win the U.S. Open after qualifying through both local and final play.