Derek Ernst

Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)

Weight: 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)

Birthday: May 16, 1990

College: UNLV

Year turned pro: 2012

Birthplace: Woodland, California, USA

Country: USA

Sponsor: Ping, Oakley

Ernst was born in Woodland, California, in 1990, where he studied at Clovis East High School, before moving on to UNLV where he played golf and was four time All-American. In 2011 he finished in runner-up position at the U.S. Amateur Public Links championship. Ernst was also a member of the US Palmer Cup team in 2012, before turning professional later that year. 

He earned his PGA Tour card at qualifying school that year. Ernst achieved his first win on the PGA Tour in May 2014, when he won the Wells Fargo Championship. This win was lucky, in the way that it started. Ernst wasn’t scheduled to play at the event, but several players dropped out due to the adverse weather conditions, and he was offered a place in the tournament. Ernst benefited greatly from the win. It meant he earned a PGA exemption through 2015, as well as entry to the Players Championship, the PGA Championship, and the 2014 Masters.

Ernst has achieved this success despite having problems with his eye. He sustained an injury as a child, which resulted in a piece of PVC entering his eye. Scar tissue from the injury is still present, and it effects Ernst’s depth perception.

As of the end of 2014, Ernst had achieved one win on the PGA Tour, amassing total prize money of $1,656,510.