Woody Austin

Height: 6 ft. 0 in

Weight: 190 lbs

Birthday: 01/27/1964

College: University of Miami

Turned Pro: 1986

Birthplace: Tampa, Florida

Country: United States

Sponsor: Taylor Made

Shortly after graduating from the University of Miami, Austin turned pro. It took him nine years to make it onto the PGA Tour having toiled through the various mini tours. In 1994, Austin finished 23rd on the Nationwide Tour and secured his first ever PGA Tour card as a result.

Austin won his first ever PGA Tour title in his 25th event in 1995. He captured the Buick Open after beating Mike Brisky in a play-off. This was one of seven top 10 finishes for the Florida native in 1995 on his way to finishing 24th on the money list. He was duly honoured with the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. He had another solid season in 1996 with five top 10s and finishing 32nd on the money list. His form took a turn for the worse in 1997 and his frustration was clear to be seen. In a tournament in 1997, Austin hit himself in the head five times with a putter, hitting himself so forcefully that he bent the shaft. Austin finished 180th on the 1997 money list and lost his card. He played on the Nike Tour and managed to finish 8th on the money list to gain back his PGA Tour card for 1998.

Austin continued to struggle for a number of years; he had to visit Q School to retain his card in 2002. By 2003, his form started to improve. Austin had his best finish since his rookie season when he lost a play-off to Davis Love III at the MCI Heritage. He finished 44th on the money list. 2004 brought Woody his second tour win when he beat Tim Herron in a play-off at the Buick Championship. For the next few seasons, Austin was consistently near the top of the money list. His third Tour win came in 2007 at the St. Jude Championship where he won by five shots. Coupled with two runner-up finishes that season, Austin finished the season a career high 15th on the money list. That year he also represented the United States at the Presidents Cup.

After struggling to hold onto his card for a number of years, Austin won the Sanderson Farms Championship in 2013 at the age of 49. Austin now plays on the Champions Tour.