Wesley Bryan’s journey from imaginative trick-shot artist to PGA Tour winner was far from typical. Now, his journey is a tale of perseverance, durability, and a pledge to mentor the next generation of golfers. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to chart a unique course in professional golf, this detailed look at Bryan’s career will show you exactly that. Read on to learn how a golfer from South Carolina became a national figure, succeeded on several tours and made an impact on golf culture far from the fairways.
Introducing Wesley Bryan
The name Wesley Bryan has been rising in golf circles for an amazing mix of imagination, hard work and flash. Bryan was born in Columbia, S.C. in 1990 and his journey throughout professional golf highlights the highs and lows of what it takes to make it in the modern era of professional golf. From honing trick shots with his brother on YouTube to leading PGA Tour leader boards, his ascent is a testimony of talent honed by work.
Quick Facts Table
|
Attribute |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Full Name |
Donald Wesley Bryan |
|
Born |
March 26, 1990 (Columbia, South Carolina) |
|
Height |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
|
College |
University of South Carolina |
|
Turned Pro |
2012 |
|
Tours |
Korn Ferry (former), PGA Tour (current) |
|
Professional Wins |
4 (1 PGA Tour, 3 Korn Ferry/Web.com Tour) |
|
Highest Ranking |
36th (April 30, 2017) |
|
Major Results |
CUT in all majors entered; PGA Tour winner |
|
Known For |
Trick shots, creativity, YouTube, resilience |
Early Life and Background
Wesley Bryan grew up in Irmo, South Carolina, where golf was everywhere. He went to Dutch Fork High School where he would make a name for himself as a golfer. Encouraged by family and local coaches, his technical skills and signature flair blossomed. In the beginning, Bryan was about more than just competition; he also tinkered with tricks, making up entertaining trick shots with his brother George and later, and which set the stage for his dual reputation as an athlete and an entertainer.
College Golf Career
Bryan’s development as a golfer continued at the University of South Carolina. While at South Carolina, he earned two tournament victories at the 2008 Rees Jones Intercollegiate and 2012 Seahawk Intercollegiate. Grit and determination that he forged playing college golf. It was Bryan’s time with the Gamecocks that is the bedrock of his pro career, a combination of team spirit and personal grind.
Early Career and Struggles
As with many a struggling pro, Bryan faced an uphill climb after turning pro in 2012. He began his career playing mini-tours, schlepping around week-to-week and trying to improve while looking for a break. During this time, Bryan had several of his trick-shot videos with his brother go viral, though on-course success was more elusive. It wasn’t given he was going to be able to make enough to keep going, and he had his determination tested time after time.
Korn Ferry Tour Breakthrough
Bryan’s stubbornness would bear fruit in 2016, when he would earn his Web. com (now Korn Ferry) Tour card by placing T-9 at Q-School. He made an impression almost instantly. Bryan took three tournament titles in 2016:
- Chitimacha Louisiana Open
- El Bosque Mexico Championship
- Digital Ally Open
That impressive achievement earned Bryan an immediate PGA Tour promotion with just being the 11th golfer to earn a three-win promotion. He also won the 2016 Web. com Tour Money Title and Player of the Year titles with not just his victories, but for how he got to the top.
Wesley Bryan’s Korn Ferry Tour Wins
|
Tournament |
Date |
Score |
To Par |
Margin/Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chitimacha Louisiana Open |
Mar 20, 2016 |
66-65-71-68=270 |
-14 |
1 stroke (Julián Etulain) |
|
El Bosque Mexico Championship |
Apr 24, 2016 |
68-63-71-67=269 |
-19 |
4 strokes (Brad Fritsch, Richy Werenski) |
|
Digital Ally Open |
Aug 7, 2016 |
65-67-65-67=264 |
-20 |
Playoff (Grayson Murray, J.T. Poston) |
Breakthrough on the PGA Tour
Only 12 months removed from being the leading man on the Korn Ferry Tour, Bryan recorded his first PGA Tour win at the RBC Heritage in April 2017. His final round of 67 saw him come from behind to win by 1 stroke over Luke Donald. This victory took Bryan into the top 40 of the Official World Golf Ranking and assured him of an invitation to the 2018 Masters Tournament.
Since then, Bryan has subsequently missed the cut in every major he has played in, but the victory at the RBC Heritage had established his position among the top players in golf and proved he could compete with anyone.
Wesley Bryan, Sidebar The Only Man to Have Won a Professional Tournament on Grass Greens Filed under: Topic of the week Wesley Bryan’s Unconventional Game
Bryan is special for more than just his recent results, standing out among the golfers in the modern era. He plays in a creative, shot-making mold that comes from years of trying the most outlandish trick shots as a kid on YouTube. He has a short game to die for and a creative shot maker (with shots that seem to be absurd) and folks he is a magician going up and down.
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Wesley Bryan is loved for how he plays the game, sure, but for how he engages with the wider golf community. He is a personality in a sport that can get bogged down by tradition, connecting with people through his Bryan Bros Golf channel and active social media.
Personal Life and Interests
Wesley Bryan has forged a tight bond with his family and the sport of golf off the course. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters, Hadley and Winnie. Golf is, indeed, a family matter for the Bryans. His brother is fellow pro golfer George, and the two have worked together extensively – from trick shot videos to their time on Golf channel’s “Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL.
They are into golf big time in business too. The brothers bought Indian River Golf Club in South Carolina and reopened it as Solina Golf Club in 2024. They hope to to reenergize the local golf scene, and build a lasting legacy that transcends the tournament.
Bryan’s Wider Impact on Golf
Wesley Bryan has left his mark on golf far beyond his own play. He’s brought thousands of new fans to the sport with digital content and has emerged as an ambassador for creative self-expression in the sport. By mixing competition with entertainment, Bryan tries to show young players how to have fun improving and to bring their own personalities to golf.
And his willingness to share struggles — against time, against injuries, along the path while shuttling between mini-tours — also has made him relatable. What he’s done for the game of golf is extraordinary but how he inspires other young players and fans alike is equally great.
What’s Next for Wesley Bryan
Wesley Bryan has reached a career crossroads in 2025. The suspension by the PGA Tour in the wake of his participation in a creator event has left things up in the air. But if there’s one thing Bryan’s career is proof of, it’s that he does well against all odds.
Whether it is competing in tournaments, through social media, building golf courses or mentoring the next ranked of golfers, Bryan has much more to contribute to the golf space. His blend of competitive fire, ingenuity and zeal still colours both his future and the wider golfing milieu.