The roster of professional golfers making the First Coast and Georgia’s Golden Isles their base of operations keeps growing.
Recent additions such as six-time Ladies European Tour winner Mel Reid and rising PGA Tour stars Greyson Sigg and Sam Ryder have increased the number of players with at least conditional exempt status on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour to 47.
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They have joined World Golf Hall of Fame members Davis Love III, Vijay Singh and Sandy Lyle, major champions Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson and other multiple winners such as Billy Horschel, Harris English, Cameron Smith and Jonathan Byrd in making the decision to live in the area.
The players on those four major tours have combined to win 220 tournaments and 10 majors – 167 of the titles coming on the PGA Tour and 30 on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The list includes four long-term area residents who have moved elsewhere but have long-standing roots or ties to the First Coast: natives David Duval and Tyler McCumber (both now living in Colorado), Blayne Barber (Lake City’s first PGA Tour player) and Fred Funk (who lived in Ponte Vedra Beach from 1994 to this year).
There also are three FedEx Cup champions (Singh, Furyk and Horschel) and four Players champions (Duval, Love, Funk and Matt Kuchar) living in the area.
As of July 19, 14 area residents are on track to make this year’s FedEx Cup Playoffs. Four have combined for five victories: Horschel, Smith, English and Hudson Swafford.
Some players are natives or moved to the area when they were still in junior high or high school, such as Love, Len Mattiace, McCumber, Bud Cauley, Amelia Lewis, Julian Suri and Vince Covello.
But the majority made the business and personal decision to move to either the First Coast or St. Simons Island, Ga., to take advantage of two major reasons they frequently cite: the weather and the practice and fitness amenities available at the TPC Sawgrass and the Sea Island Resort.
Golfweek’s most current ratings of resort courses in the U.S. have the TPC Sawgrass at No. 11 and Sea Island at No. 25. Both also are the host venues for PGA Tour events, The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course and the RSM Classic at Sea Island.
They’re not home much: playing on the major professional tours frequently involves around 30 weeks of travel in a given season.
But when they are, most are active in the community. They support charitable organizations, play in local golf events and can be seen waiting in the check-out line at a grocery store like everyone else.
Here’s the current list, with points standings listed as of July 19:
PGA Tour
Chris Baker, Jacksonville Beach
Baker, 35, is the only former Iowa State player on the Tour. The Seymour, Ind., native missed 11 of 14 cuts earlier this season but is playing better, was the medalist at a U.S. Open sectional qualifier, then tied for 26th at Torrey Pines.
Current FedEx Cup status: 198th.
Jonas Blixt, Jacksonville Beach
The 37-year-old native of Sweden played at Florida State, where he graduated with a degree in international business. He’s won three times on the PGA Tour but is playing on a major medical extension this season. Blixt is a huge Detroit Red Wings hockey fan.
Current FedEx Cup status: 221st.
Jonathan Byrd, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Byrd is a Clemson graduate and a five-time PGA Tour winner. He also won the Web.com Tour Championship at Atlantic Beach in 2017. Byrd is noted for winning the Shriners Hospital Open in Las Vegas in 2010 with a walk-off hole-in-one in a three-way playoff.
Current FedEx Cup status: 206th.
Sebastian Cappelen, Ponte Vedra Beach
A former Arkansas player from Denmark, Cappelen is an avid gardener and the envy of his neighborhood. He is a two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner and should be prepared for life after golf: he has an economics degree with a minor in finance at Arkansas.
Current FedEx Cup status: 193rd.
Bud Cauley, Jacksonville
Cauley has been plagued by injuries this season and has only one start, a tie for 14th at the Safeway Open. He has kept his Tour card since using sponsor invitations to earn membership out of Alabama in 2010.
Current FedEx Cup status: 211th.
Vince Covello, Atlantic Beach
The Nease graduate and past high school state champion became the first University of North Florida player to win on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019, and then the first from UNF to get his PGA Tour card. A back injury has sidelined him since last year but he is on target to return in January and will play on a major medical exemption.
Current FedEx Cup status: No points.
Tyler Duncan, Ponte Vedra Beach
Played college golf at Purdue and won his only PGA Tour title at the 2020 RSM Classic at Sea Island, holding off Webb Simpson in a playoff.
Current FedEx Cup status: 163rd.
Harris English, St. Simons Island, Ga.
English is currently the highest-ranked area player in the world at No. 10 and has won four times. Two of his victories have been this season, at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the Travelers Championship — where he survived an eight-hole playoff. He’s one of a long line of former University of Georgia players who have won on the PGA Tour.
Current FedEx Cup status: 5th.
Matt Every, Jacksonville Beach
The past University of North Florida All-American has won twice on the PGA Tour, both in back-to-back Arnold Palmer Invitationals. But he’s struggling mightily, and has missed his last 22 cuts, a combination of PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour starts.
Current FedEx Cup status: No points.
Lanto Griffin, Ponte Vedra Beach
Griffin, a native of Blacksburg, Va., played at Virginia Commonwealth and captured his first PGA Tour title at the 2019 Vivant Houston Open. He never eats red meat.
Current FedEx Cup status: 77th.
Brian Harman, St. Simons Island, Ga.
The Georgia graduate is the only area resident currently active on the Tour who is left-handed, but that’s the only thing he does from the port side – including hunt, which he does with enthusiasm. Harman can not only field-dress anything he kills but also makes his own deer jerky. He’s won twice on the PGA Tour and this season has been showing up at the big events, with a tie for third at The Players, a tie for fifth at the Dell Match Play, a tie for 12th in the Masters and ties for 19th at the U.S. Open and British Open.
Current FedEx Cup status: 33rd.
Billy Horschel, Ponte Vedra Beach
The former University of Florida All-American possesses one of the most exuberant personalities on the PGA. He has won six times, the latest the WGC Dell Match Play. Horschel stunned the golf world when he captured the 2014 FedEx Cup. His charitable pursuits include time and money donated to Feeding Northeast Florida.
Current FedEx Cup status: 24th.
Zach Johnson, St. Simons Island, Ga.
One of the PGA Tour’s class acts followed his 2007 Masters title with a 2015 British Open victory at St. Andrews and has won 12 PGA Tour titles. Johnson has never been long off the tee but is a dogged worker and tenacious when he’s in contention. Although he played golf at Drake, he is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan.
Current FedEx Cup status: 99th.
Patton Kizzire, St. Simons Island, Ga.
The Auburn graduate is a past Korn Ferry player of the year and he’s won twice on the PGA Tour, both in early 2018. He’s having a productive year, including back-to-back thirds in the Tour’s Texas events in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Current FedEx Cup status: 47th.
Russell Knox, Ponte Vedra Beach
The native of Scotland became the first PGA Tour winner from Jacksonville University since Donnie Hammond. Knox won seven times on the Hooters Tour and also has victories on the Korn Ferry Tour and the European PGA Tour. He’s been playing better since four missed cuts in a row in March and April.
Current FedEx Cup status: 103rd.
Matt Kuchar, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Kuchar’s biggest victory remains the 2012 Players Championship but he’s knocked on the door at the Masters several times and once was tied for the lead with three holes to play. He’s struggled a bit since winning the consolation match in the Dell Match Play. Don’t let him get you on the tennis court: he and his wife, Sybi, once went deep in a national husband-wife doubles tournament.
Current FedEx Cup status: 112th.
David Lingmerth, Ponte Vedra Beach
Played with Cappelen at Arkansas and his only PGA Tour title to date was a big one: the 2015 Memorial, when he beat Justin Rose in sudden death. Lingmerth also tied for second behind Tiger Woods in the 2013 Players Championship.
Current FedEx Cup status: 208th.
Keith Mitchell, St. Simons Island, Ga.
The former Georgia Bulldog won the Honda Classic in 2019. A tie for third in Charlotte this year has highlighted his season.
Current FedEx Cup status: 114th.
J.T. Poston, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Without a doubt, the best player in Western Carolina history, where he won six tournaments and became the first player from the school to reach the NCAA tournament. Won the 2019 Wyndham Championship. He lost in a playoff last week in the Barbasol Championship but it was a nice recovery from a bit of a slump since his tie for 11th at the Waste Management Open.
Current FedEx Cup status: 67th.
Doc Redman, Jacksonville
The former Clemson star is having a good year, with top-10s at Congaree and the Byron Nelson. He won the 2017 U.S. Amateur over Doug Ghim after being two down with two to play.
Current FedEx Cup status: 81st.
Sam Ryder, Atlantic Beach
No, he’s not related to the Samuel Ryder who created the Ryder Cup, but he enjoys being asked about it. Played golf at Stetson and is one of the band of PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour players who frequent the Atlantic Beach Country Club. He’s leveled off after back-to-back top-10s at the Honda Classic and Puerto Rico but rallied last week at the Barbasol Championship with a tie for third.
Current FedEx Cup status: 111th.
Cameron Smith, Jacksonville
The three-time PGA Tour winner will represent his native country of Australia in the 2021 Olympics in Japan. He became the first player to ever shoot all four rounds in the 60s at the 2020 Masters (he finished second to Dustin Johnson) and in April teamed up with Marc Leishman to win the Zurich Classic for the secondt ime.
Current FedEx Cup status: 16th.
Hudson Swafford, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Yet another former University of Georgia player, Swafford has two PGA Tour titles and won his only Korn Ferry Tour event at the Bulldogs golf course. He’s having a solid season, with a victory last fall when he birdied the final hole to beat Tyler McCumber in the Dominican Republic.
Current FedEx Cup status: 48th
Julian Suri, Ponte Vedra Beach
After winning back-to-back individual state championships at Bartram Trail, Suri went on to play at Duke, then earned his European PGA Tour card in 2016 and the following season won on the European Tour, the European Challenge Tour and finished 52nd in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai. He climbed as high as 60th on the World Golf Rankings, which got him spots in two PGA Championships and two Open Championships, and he tied for 19th in the 2019 PGA. He has battled injuries for most of his amateur and pro career.
Current Race to Dubai status: 167th.
Michael Thompson, St. Simons Island, Ga.
A former Alabama teammate with Cauley. Thompson has won twice on the PGA Tour, most recently the 2020 3M Championship, and has one of the best short games on the Tour.
Current FedEx Cup status: 131st.
Tim Wilkinson, Jacksonville Beach
The left-handed native of New Zealand has been up and down on the PGA Tour several times and has managed to carve out a decent career.
Current FedEx Cup status: 196th.
PGA Tour Champions
David Eger, Ponte Vedra Beach
Eger has had a multi-faceted golf career. He’s been a club professional and a rule and tournament official for the PGA Tour and USGA. He regained his amateur status and won the 1988 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 1991 North and South, then turned professional again when he became eligible for the Champions Tour and won four times between 2003 and 2011. Eger has two starts this season with both finishes outside the top-70.
Current Schwab Cup status: 160th.
Jim Furyk, Jacksonville
Recently won his third PGA Tour Champions title and first major when he won the U.S. Senior Open. Furyk won 17 PGA Tour events, including the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, and shot the lowest 18-hole score in PGA Tour history with a 58 at the Travelers Championship. He’s also the only player in history with two scores in the 50s.
Current Schwab Cup status: 2nd.
Frank Lickliter II, Ponte Vedra Beach
Won twice on the PGA Tour and is beginning to show up more on the PGA Tour Champions. Along with Harman, one of the most avid hunters on the Tour.
Current Schwab Cup status: 107th.
Davis Love III, St. Simons Island, Ga.
World Golf Hall of Famer, 21-time PGA Tour winner, two-time Players champion, host of the Tour’s fall event at Sea Island, winning Ryder Cup captain, golf course architect, father, grandfather and all-world good guy. Love embodies everything that’s good about a PGA Tour player and a humanitarian. He’s been plagued by injuries yet again this season.
Current Schwab Cup status: 90th.
Sandy Lyle, Ponte Vedra Beach
Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, two-time major champion, winning Ryder Cup captain and the first international winner of The Players has had a second home on the First Coast for years.
Current Schwab Cup status: 93rd.
Len Mattiace, Atlantic Beach
Moved to the First Coast as an eighth-grader and established himself early when he captured the first individual state championship in any sport for Nease. Went on to become All-ACC at Wake Forest and won two PGA Tour titles, but is best known for his close shaves in the 1998 Players and 2003 Masters. Has been a tireless advocate for charity in the area and currently sponsors an anti-bullying campaign.
Current Schwab Cup status: 153rd.
Blaine McCallister, Jacksonville
Won five times on the PGA Tour in the late 1980s and early 1990s and hasn’t had the success on the PGA Tour Champions that some might have thought, given his fairways and greens game. But he’s always been one of the good guys.
Current Schwab Cup status: 131st.
Vijay Singh, Ponte Vedra Beach
Moved to the area nearly 30 years ago and is one of the all-time greats, with a spot in the Hall of Fame, 43 PGA Tour titles, more than 60 worldwide victories, three major championships and a reputation as the hardest-working man in show business.
Current Schwab Cup status: 35th.
Korn Ferry Tour
Chandler Blanchet, Atlantic Beach
The Gainesville native was the 2017 NCAA Division II individual champion at West Florida.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 89th.
Taylor Dickson, Jacksonville Beach
Played college golf at Winthrop (S.C.) and is from Gastonia, N.C.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 94th.
Joey Garber, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Yes, another former Georgia Bulldog and was All-SEC. He’s from Michigan and gave up downhill skiing to focus on golf.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 66th.
Luke Guthrie, Jacksonville Beach
One of several Tour players from the University of Illinois’ underrated program under Mike Small. His brother left as an Illini assistant to caddie for him.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 149th.
Justin Hueber, Jacksonville
Won 11 college tournaments at the University of Indianapolis.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 135th.
Rick Lamb, St. Simons Island, Ga.
A University of Tennessee product, has a twin brother, Scott, who also is trying to play professionally.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 111th.
Trey Mullinax, St. Simons Island, Ga.
A two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner and former University of Alabama player.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 46th.
Greyson Sigg, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Having a fine season and recently won in Knoxville. Captained the Georgia golf team.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 4th.
Jared Wolfe, Nocatee
He’s headed for the PGA Tour in 2022 after winning twice in the past two years to rest comfortably within the top-25 on the Korn Ferry points list. In leaner days, he drove for Uber and Uber Eats.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 17th.
LPGA Tour
Marina Alex, Ponte Vedra Beach
Alex was a two-time SEC player of the year and a two-time All-American at Vanderbilt. She won on the LPGA at Portland in 2018. Her brother, Anthony, played at Florida State.
Current Race to CME Globe status: 74th.
Chella Choi, Jacksonville
Native of South Korea and plays out of Deercreek. She has won once on the LPGA Tour, with five top-10s in majors.
Current Race to CME Globe status: 65th
Amelia Lewis, Jacksonville
A Bolles graduate, Lewis was the first Jacksonville native to get LPGA status since the late Colleen Walker and also had Ladies European PGA Tour status. She has kept her LPGA card for a decade and is still searching for her first victory but has made only two starts this season.
Current Race to CME Globe status: No points.
Mel Reid, Atlantic Beach
One of the most recent transplants to the First Coast, the native of England won her first LPGA title last year, and has won six times on the LET.
Current Race to CME Globe status: 50th.
Gone but not forgotten
These players have moved from the area but still have strong ties to the First Coast:
Blayne Barber, Auburn, Ala.
The first Lake City resident to get his PGA Tour card, Barber is back on the Korn Ferry Tour and struggling, with 19 missed cuts in 29 starts over the past two years. He had an encouraging finish recently with a tie for 10th at the TPC Colorado. Barber had a successful college career at Auburn after first going to UCF.
Current Korn Ferry points status: 152nd.
David Duval, Denver
For a five-year period, from 1997-2001, the Jacksonville native and Episcopal graduate was the main rival to Tiger Woods and for a time in 1999, supplanted Woods as the No. 1-ranked player in the world. Duval’s victory in the 1999 Players came under the toughest conditions since the tournament moved to the TPC Sawgrass and later added the Open Championship in 2001 for his 13th PGA Tour title. A four-time All-American at Georgia Tech.
Current FedEx Cup status: No points.
Fred Funk, Austin, Texas
He didn’t get his PGA Tour card until he was 34 years old and moved to the First Coast shortly after that. Funk has won 29 worldwide events, including eight on the PGA Tour. His signature victory was the 2005 Players title and he has won three Champions Tour majors. Funk has been a tireless advocate for charities on the First Coast.
Current Schwab Cup status: 71st.
Tyler McCumber, Lyons, Colo.
The son of 10-time PGA Tour winner and 1988 Players champion Mark McCumber. Tyler McCumber was a member of a state championship team at Nease, was All-SEC at Florida and is the only player to earn Korn Ferry Tour status off the money list of two international tours. He earned his PGA Tour card in 2019 and has had several brushes with victory. Has a tendancy to rattle off missed cuts in succession but is well on track to retain his card.
Current FedEx Cup status: 91st.