Kirk Triplett

Born: March 29, 1962

Birthplace: Moses Lake, Washington

Height: 6 ft, 3 in

Turned Pro: 1985

Sponsors: Ping

Kirk Triplett grew up in Pullman, Washington. He was a scholarship golfer for the University of Nevada in Reno. He turned professional shortly after college in 1985.

It took Triplett five years to earn his PGA Tour card. It took him another decade before earning his first PGA Tour win – the 2000 Nissan L.A. Open at Riviera Golf Club. Triplett, however, kept his tour card the entire time, making cuts and cashing checks on a regular basis. Triplett recorded 67 top ten finishes during his PGA career.

While Triplett failed to win in 2001, it was arguably one of his best seasons on tour. He finished tied for 6th at the Masters, tied for 7th at the U.S. Open and tied for 10th at the PGA Championship.

Triplett won two more times on tour in the 2000’s. As Triplett aged and battled injuries, his performance began to slide. He fell out of the top 150 and lost his tour card in 2009. He went down to the Nationwide Tour and in 2011, he won the News Sentinel Open and became, at the age of 49, the oldest winner in the history of the Nationwide Tour.

A year later, Triplett turned 50 and became eligible for the Champions Tour. He won in his 8th start at historic Pebble Beach in the Nature Valley First Tee Open. Triplett won again on the Champions Tour in 2013 and added two more titles in 2014.

Triplett is well-known for re-popularizing the bucket hat. Away from the golf course, he is active in promoting adoption.