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Kevin Sutherland
Kevin Sutherland
Kevin Sutherland
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Kevin John Sutherland (born July 4, 1964) is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.

Key Information

Early life and amateur career

[edit]

Sutherland was born in Sacramento, California and graduated from Christian Brothers High School. He attended Fresno State University and made the golf team as a walk-on freshman. Teased by his teammates for his unorthodox swing and unusual grip, he silenced his peers as he gained All-American status twice in his four years at Fresno State and became the most successful player ever to have spent time there. His younger brother David also attended Fresno while Kevin was there and followed in his brother's footsteps as an All-American golfer.

Professional career

[edit]

As a professional, Sutherland qualified for the PGA Tour in 1992. He won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in 2002 in his 184th start. It was his only PGA Tour win in 447 starts. He had an exceptional 2008 season that included six top-ten finishes, including playoff losses to Vijay Singh at the Barclays and Cameron Beckman at the Frys.com Open. This runner-up finish vaulted Sutherland well inside the top thirty on the 2008 PGA Tour money list, and secured him a spot in the 2009 Masters Tournament.

He has featured in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings, peaking at 32nd in 2002. Back and neck injuries forced Sutherland to limit his PGA Tour career in 2011 and 2012. Sutherland returned to playing full-time in 2013. He fell short of satisfying his medical extension, but earned enough to remain on the PGA Tour with conditional status for the remainder of 2013.

Senior career

[edit]

On Saturday, August 16, 2014, at the second round of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open, Sutherland became the first person on the Champions Tour to shoot a 59, going −13 on the par-72 course.[2]

On November 12, 2017, Sutherland earned his first PGA Tour Champions win at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and overcame the seven wins of Bernhard Langer to win the Charles Schwab Cup.[3]

On April 1, 2019, Sutherland won his second PGA Tour Champions tournament at the Rapiscan Systems Classic in Mississippi. Sutherland won in a seven-hole playoff over Scott Parel. The playoff was held over two days because play had to be suspended on Sunday March 31, 2019 due to darkness.[4] Sutherland and Parel faced off in a playoff again in June at the Principal Charity Classic with Sutherland winning on the second extra hole.[5]

In November 2020, Sutherland won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship for the second time. Sutherland won in a Monday finish on the ninth playoff hole over Paul Broadhurst.[6] On February 28, 2021, Sutherland won the Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona. He won by two strokes over Mike Weir.[7]

Professional wins (8)

[edit]

PGA Tour wins (1)

[edit]
Legend
World Golf Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (0)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 Jan 15, 2002 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship 1 up United States Scott McCarron

PGA Tour playoff record (0–3)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1997 Shell Houston Open United States Phil Blackmar Lost to birdie on first extra hole
2 2008 The Barclays Spain Sergio García, Fiji Vijay Singh Singh won with birdie on second extra hole
Sutherland eliminated by birdie on first hole
3 2008 Frys.com Open United States Cameron Beckman Lost to par on second extra hole

Other wins (2)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 Nov 20, 2000 Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational −13 (69-67-70-69=275) 1 stroke United States Don Pooley
2 Nov 24, 2019 TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational (2) −12 (72-70-67-67=276) 3 strokes United States Martin Flores

PGA Tour Champions wins (5)

[edit]
Legend
Charles Schwab Cup playoff events (1)
Other PGA Tour Champions (4)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner-up
1 Nov 12, 2017 Charles Schwab Cup Championship −15 (69-63-66=198) 1 stroke Fiji Vijay Singh
2 Apr 1, 2019 Rapiscan Systems Classic −7 (65-69-75=209) Playoff United States Scott Parel
3 Jun 2, 2019 Principal Charity Classic −17 (72-65-62=199) Playoff United States Scott Parel
4 Nov 9, 2020 Charles Schwab Cup Championship (2) −15 (65-64-69=198) Playoff England Paul Broadhurst
5 Feb 28, 2021 Cologuard Classic −15 (68-67-69=204) 1 stroke Canada Mike Weir

PGA Tour Champions playoff record (3–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 2015 Regions Tradition United States Jeff Maggert Lost to par on first extra hole
2 2016 Boeing Classic Germany Bernhard Langer, United States Woody Austin Langer won with birdie on first extra hole
3 2019 Rapiscan Systems Classic United States Scott Parel Won with birdie on seventh extra hole
4 2019 Principal Charity Classic United States Scott Parel Won with birdie on second extra hole
5 2020 Charles Schwab Cup Championship England Paul Broadhurst Won with birdie on ninth extra hole

Results in major championships

[edit]
Tournament 1996 1997 1998 1999
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open CUT CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship T76 T44 CUT
Tournament 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Masters Tournament CUT T33 T46
U.S. Open T44 T37 T28 CUT T58 T33
The Open Championship T9 CUT T60
PGA Championship CUT CUT T43 T18 CUT 77 T9 T63 T32
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open T67 CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship CUT
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2
U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 6
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2
PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 1 2 13 8
Totals 0 0 0 0 2 3 29 18
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 8 (2005 PGA – 2009 PGA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (twice)

Results in The Players Championship

[edit]
Tournament 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
The Players Championship T42 CUT CUT T58 CUT T48 T6 T68 CUT T58 CUT T32 CUT CUT
  Top 10

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

World Golf Championships

[edit]

Wins (1)

[edit]
Year Championship 54 holes Winning score Margin Runner-up
2002 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship n/a 1 up United States Scott McCarron

Results timeline

[edit]
Tournament 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Match Play R64 1 R16 R64
Championship NT1 T27 T61
Invitational T58
Champions

1Canceled due to 9/11

  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = Tied
NT = No tournament
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.

Results in senior major championships

[edit]

Results not in chronological order before 2022.

Tournament 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
The Tradition 2 T17 T13 12 T37 NT 20 T28 T22
Senior PGA Championship T13 T19 T17 T10 NT T29 T20 CUT
Senior Players Championship T10 T13 T9 T17 T13 T8 T7 T44 T23 T11 T18
U.S. Senior Open T38 T7 T6 T29 T38 T8 NT T5 T28 CUT T48 T18
Senior British Open Championship T19 T12 T24 NT T8
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kevin Sutherland

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kevin Sutherland (born July 4, 1964) is an American professional er who has competed on the and, since 2014, primarily on the , where he has secured five victories. Born in , Sutherland began playing at age eight and developed his skills near Del Paso Country Club, where he grew up just 300 yards away. He attended Fresno State University as a walk-on golfer, becoming the most successful player in the program's history before turning professional in 1987. Sutherland earned his sole PGA Tour victory in 2002 at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, marking the first time a player won a WGC event as their debut title; he defeated notable opponents including in the semifinals and in the final. Over his career, spanning 447 events from 1996, he amassed 48 top-10 finishes, five runner-up results, and $15.6 million in earnings. Transitioning to the senior circuit at age 50, Sutherland quickly established himself on the , recording an exceptional cuts-made percentage of 99% across 217 starts and earning $11.7 million. His Champions wins include the 2017 , where he also claimed the season-long points title after a 15-year drought without a victory; the 2019 Principal Charity Classic and Classic; and the 2020 Cologuard Classic and . In 2014, he made history by shooting the tour's first 59—a 12-under-par round—during the first round of the Open. At 61 years old in 2025, Sutherland remains active on the , posting three top-10 finishes that season and ranking 49th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, while continuing to compete with an unorthodox swing that has defined his resilient career.

Early years

Early life

Kevin Sutherland was born on July 4, 1964, in . He grew up in a family that emphasized sports, with an older brother, David Sutherland, who also became a ; the siblings often played together at local courses, fostering Kevin's early interest in the game. Sutherland's initial exposure to golf came through these family outings and nearby facilities, including Del Paso Country Club, located just 300 yards from his childhood home. Sutherland attended Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, where he began taking seriously after his track and field coach suggested he try the sport as an alternative pursuit. This high school period marked the start of his dedicated involvement in , building on his familial and local influences.

Amateur career

Sutherland attended Fresno State University, where he joined the team as a walk-on after redshirting his freshman year to adjust to college life and refine his skills. Over his collegiate career, he emerged as the most successful golfer in the program's history, earning widespread recognition for his consistent performance and contributions to the team. During his time at Fresno State, Sutherland received All-American honors, named to the second team in 1987 by the Golf Coaches Association of America. His standout amateur achievements included individual victories in key collegiate and regional events, such as the 1986 Championship, where he shot a winning score of 218 to lead Fresno State to the team title, and the 1986 Golf Association (NCGA) Amateur Championship. These successes highlighted his development as a top amateur competitor under coach Mike Watney. Following his college career, Sutherland decided to turn professional in 1987, marking the end of his highly accomplished amateur phase.

PGA Tour career

Professional debut and early years

Sutherland turned professional in 1987 following a successful amateur career that included two-time All-American honors at Fresno State. Initially, he competed on developmental circuits to hone his skills and gain experience, joining the Nike Tour in 1990 alongside his brother . These early professional endeavors on like the Nike Tour provided crucial seasoning before attempting to break into the elite level of the sport. In late 1992, Sutherland earned his card by successfully navigating , marking a pivotal step in his career progression. He transitioned to full-time competition in 1993, facing the rigors of a demanding schedule while establishing himself among top professionals. From 1993 through 2000, Sutherland demonstrated remarkable consistency on the , making cuts in approximately 80% of his starts and compiling five top-10 finishes during this period. This steady play gradually elevated his standing, culminating in a career-high of 32nd in February 2002.

Key achievements and victories

Sutherland's most prominent achievement on the came in 2002 at the , where he secured his sole victory by defeating Scott McCarron 1-up in a 36-hole final at La Costa Resort and Spa in . As the No. 62 seed out of 64—ranked 64th in the world at the time—Sutherland became the lowest-seeded player to win the event, overcoming a series of upsets including a 20-hole victory over then-world No. 3 in the second round. This triumph, which earned him $1 million, marked the first time a player won a event as their initial title and propelled him to a career-high world ranking of 32nd later that year. Sutherland credited much of his success in the tournament to adopting the "claw" putting grip just weeks prior, a technique that stabilized his stroke during high-pressure matches. Following a period of inconsistency, Sutherland experienced a resurgence in 2008, recording six top-10 finishes across the season and finishing 18th on the money list with $2,581,311 in earnings—his highest annual total. Highlights included a runner-up finish at The Barclays, where he tied for second at 8-under par before losing in a three-way playoff to , and another near-miss at the Frys.com Open, where he fell to Cameron Beckman in a playoff after shooting a third-round 63. These performances underscored his return to form, building on his earlier consistency without yielding another victory. Sutherland also posted strong showings in major championships during this prime period, tying for ninth at the 2001 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes with a final score of 5-under 279, his best major result. Six years later, he tied for ninth at the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club, carding 1-over 281 amid a competitive field led by Tiger Woods. These finishes highlighted his potential in elite events, contributing to career earnings that peaked in influence during his 2001–2008 window.

Injuries and later career

Following a fall on the practice range at the in April 2011, Sutherland sustained a herniated disk at the base of his neck and a bone spur in the middle of his neck that pressed into his , causing significant and limiting his mobility. This injury restricted him to just 11 events that season, after which he withdrew from competition and received a major medical exemption for 2012. Back and neck issues persisted into 2012, further curtailing his schedule to fewer than 10 events as he attempted to fulfill the medical exemption requirements. After his strong 2008 season, which included multiple top-10 finishes, Sutherland's results on the became sporadic, with occasional top-25 performances but no serious contention for victories. For instance, in , he recorded a T18 finish at the . He returned to a fuller schedule in but struggled to regain consistent form, finishing T67 at the U.S. Open that year. In his final full seasons on the from 2013 to 2016, Sutherland prioritized qualifying for major championships and preserving his tour status amid ongoing physical challenges. He competed in the U.S. Open in 2014, where he missed the cut, shortly before turning 50 in July of that year. Reaching eligibility for the , Sutherland began splitting time between both tours to maintain his PGA Tour conditional status while establishing himself on the senior circuit.

PGA Tour Champions career

Transition and debut

Following a series of injuries that limited his play on the , including a 2011 fall that caused neck and back issues, Sutherland transitioned to the upon turning 50 on July 4, 2014. He made his senior debut at the U.S. Senior Open later that month, finishing tied for 38th at 9 over par. In his third start, the Dick's Sporting Goods Open, Sutherland etched his name in history by carding a 13-under-par 59 in the second round on August 16, 2014—the first sub-60 score in history. The round featured 12 birdies and an eagle but included a bogey on the final hole after a three-putt, leaving him one stroke shy of a 58; it propelled him to a tied for seventh finish in the event. Sutherland's rapid adjustment to the senior circuit was highlighted by multiple top-10 finishes in his rookie season, positioning him as a strong contender for the Arnold Palmer Rookie of the Year award.

Major wins and records

Sutherland secured his first victory at the 2017 , closing with a 5-under-par 66 to win by one stroke over and claim both the tournament and the season-long Charles Schwab Cup title. This breakthrough ended a 341-event winless drought across both the and . In 2019, Sutherland won twice, both in that highlighted his clutch performance under pressure. At the Classic, he defeated on the seventh playoff hole after both finished at 7-under-par. Later that year, at the Principal Charity Classic, Sutherland mounted an 8-shot comeback with a final-round 10-under 62—setting a course record at Wakonda Club—and birdied the second playoff hole to again beat . These triumphs showcased his ability to excel in extended , a recurring theme in his senior career. Sutherland's 2020 season included another victory, this time in a marathon nine-hole playoff over that spanned two days due to darkness, where he sealed the win with a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th. He followed this in 2021 with a wire-to-wire win at the Cologuard Classic, finishing at 15-under-par for a one-stroke edge over the field, marking his fifth title. Among his records, Sutherland holds three playoff victories on the —more than many peers—demonstrating resilience in high-stakes formats, including the longest playoff in tour history at nine holes in 2020. He has posted consistent top-10 finishes in senior majors, such as T10 at the 2018 , where he co-led after 36 holes at 8-under-par before a final-round 1-under 71. His career earnings on the tour exceeded $10 million by the end of 2022, reaching $11,740,936 overall. A key element in Sutherland's success has been his unorthodox putting technique, employing the "claw" grip—a split-handed method popularized in the early 2000s—which has aided his precision on the greens during victories and low-scoring rounds. His smooth, arm-driven swing, often described as effortless, has contributed to consistent ball-striking, as evidenced by his second-place ranking in greens in regulation during the 2017 season leading into his first win. Notably, his 13-under 59 in the second round of the 2014 Dick's Sporting Goods Open remains the lowest single-round score in history.

Recent performance (2023–present)

In 2023, Sutherland competed in a limited schedule on the without securing a victory, but he recorded several strong showings, including a runner-up finish at the Ascension Charity Classic where he finished at 16-under par. He also tied for second at the Classic after a playoff, marking one of his best performances of the year, and placed T20 at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at 3-under. Later that September, following the Ascension event, Sutherland took a hiatus due to nerve issues in his back, missing the remainder of the season until his return in March 2024. Sutherland resumed play at the 2024 Cologuard Classic, his first start in six months, where he posted a T2 finish at 11-under par, earning $161,333 and signaling a solid recovery. Later in the season, he carded a first-round 66 at the Stifel Charity Classic, helping him to a T15 finish at 6-under. Overall, he participated in approximately 20 events, achieving at least three top-10 finishes amid consistent play, though no wins, and concluded the year with earnings exceeding $400,000. As of November 2025, Sutherland, now 61, has played 14 events in the 2025 season, with his best result a fourth-place finish at the Principal Charity Classic at 16-under par. He has notched three top-10 finishes and made the cut in 13 of 14 starts, amassing $424,691 in earnings while maintaining steady contention. In a May 2025 interview with the Golf Association, Sutherland reflected on his longevity, noting his enjoyment of competitive at age 60 and his five senior wins as motivation to continue honing his game professionally.

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins

Kevin Sutherland's sole victory on the PGA Tour came at the 2002 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, held from February 20 to 24 at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. The event featured a 64-player field in single-elimination match play format, with players seeded according to the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and culminated in a 36-hole final. As the No. 62 seed and ranked 62nd in the world, Sutherland entered as a heavy underdog in his 261st PGA Tour start without a prior win, yet he produced one of the most improbable runs in tournament history. In the first round, he upset world No. 3 David Duval in 20 holes, birdieing the 17th and 18th to secure the victory after trailing late. He followed with a second-round win over Paul McGinley (seeded 30th), then defeated Jim Furyk (14th seed) in the round of 16 and David Toms (6th seed) in the quarterfinals. Sutherland advanced past Brad Faxon (47th seed) 1-up in the semifinals before facing childhood rival Scott McCarron (45th seed) in the final. Trailing by two holes midway through the 36-hole final, Sutherland mounted a comeback, taking his first lead on the 33rd hole and holding on for a 1-up victory after a clutch bunker recovery and par save on the 36th hole. The win earned him $1 million from a $5.5 million purse, marking the first World Golf Championships title of his career and his only PGA Tour triumph. It propelled Sutherland to a career-high OWGR of 32nd.

PGA Tour Champions wins

Kevin Sutherland has secured five victories on the since turning 50 in 2014, demonstrating remarkable consistency and clutch performance in high-pressure situations. His first senior tour win came at the 2017 , where he carded a final-round 5-under 66 to finish one stroke ahead of , also clinching the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points title. In 2019, Sutherland captured two titles, beginning with the Rapiscan Systems Classic, defeating Scott on the seventh playoff hole after darkness suspended play the previous day. Later that year, at the Principal Charity Classic, he mounted an eight-shot comeback with a course-record 10-under 62 in the final round, then edged again on the second playoff hole. Sutherland's 2020 Charles Schwab Cup Championship victory required endurance, as he outlasted with a birdie on the ninth playoff hole following eight tied holes over two days due to fading light. He added a fifth title at the 2021 Cologuard Classic, rallying with birdies on the 16th and 17th holes in the final round to win by one stroke over . All of Sutherland's PGA Tour Champions triumphs occurred after 2016, with three decided in playoffs that highlight his proficiency in extra-hole scenarios.

Other wins

Sutherland secured his first professional victory in 1990 at the Queen Mary Open, held at Lakewood Country Club in , where he shot a five-under-par 67 to win by two strokes. This early success on a regional circuit helped build momentum during his developmental years following his turn professional in 1987. In 1997, he claimed another non-tour title at the Challenge Championship, defeating defending champion in the final. These two triumphs marked significant milestones, providing crucial confidence and experience prior to establishing consistency on the .

Major championships

Results in men's major championships

Kevin Sutherland competed in the men's major championships from 1996 to 2014 during his career, accumulating 29 appearances across the , U.S. Open, , and . He advanced past the cut in 19 of those events, achieving two top-10 finishes: tied for ninth at the 2001 with a total score of 279 (−5) and tied for ninth at the 2007 with 281 (+1). Following 2008, Sutherland's major performances trended toward more missed cuts, with five made cuts in seven appearances from 2009 to 2014, amid a broader decline in his consistency. His strongest showings came in The Open Championship, where he posted low rounds including a 67 in the final round of 2001 at Royal Lytham & St Annes to surge into contention, and a first-round 69 at the 2009 event at Turnberry. These efforts highlighted his adaptability to links golf, though he never contended for the title. The following table summarizes his results in each major:
YearMastersU.S. Open
1996-MC--
1997---T76
1998-MC-T44
1999---MC
2000---MC
2001-T44T9MC
2002MCT37MCT43
2003T33T28-T18
2004-MC-MC
2005---77
2007-T58-T9
2008---T63
2009T46T33T60T32
2010---MC
2013-T67--
2014-MC--
MC = Missed Cut; - = Did Not Play

Results in senior major championships

Kevin Sutherland has competed in senior major championships since turning 50 in 2014, demonstrating consistent performance with a high cut-making percentage across his appearances. His best finish came at in , where he tied for second after losing a playoff to Jeff Maggert on the first extra hole at Shoal Creek Golf Club. Over his career in these events, Sutherland has recorded at least five top-10 finishes, reflecting his ability to contend in high-stakes senior competitions. Sutherland's results show particular strength in the Senior Open Championship, where he has frequently posted competitive scores on links-style courses. In the 2025 ISPS Handa Senior British Open at , he finished tied for eighth at 9-under par, earning $60,306. This performance aligns with his history of solid contention in the event, including a tie for 12th in a prior appearance. The following table summarizes Sutherland's notable results in senior major championships from 2014 to 2025, focusing on top-10 finishes and recent updates (full year-by-year data varies by event availability; cuts made exceed 80% in contested majors based on records).
YearTournamentFinishScore to ParNotes
2015T2-14Lost playoff to Jeff Maggert
2015T13N/AStrong debut season in senior majors
2018Senior PGA ChampionshipT10-968-66-71-70; $70,060 earnings
2018T8+2Competitive showing at
2025T20-3Finished at Senior PGA
2025T7+4At Bridgestone Senior Players
2025T18+270-71-71-70 at The Golf Club
2025Senior British OpenT8-969-67-66-69 at

Other notable tournaments

The Players Championship

Kevin Sutherland competed in The Players Championship 18 times between 1992 and 2013, advancing to the weekend in 9 of those events. His strongest performance came in 2004, when he finished tied for 6th at 7-under par, sharing the lead after 36 holes before closing with even par over the final two rounds. This result highlighted his potential at , though recurring injuries, including back issues, limited his opportunities in later years and contributed to his transition to the circuit. He also posted a T11 in 2002, capitalizing on momentum from his recent victory. However, Sutherland's contention faded in subsequent appearances as injuries began to impact his consistency on the .
YearFinishTo ParNotes
1992CUT+5Debut appearance
1993T45+1Made cut
1994CUT+6-
1995T28-3Made cut
1996CUT+4-
1997T62+5Made cut
1998CUT+7-
1999T39EMade cut
2000CUT+3-
2001T58+7Made cut
2002T11-3Made cut; post-Match Play momentum
2003T44+2Made cut
2004T6-7Career-best at the event; co-leader after 36 holes
2005CUT+4-
2006DNP-Injuries begin to limit
2007CUT+5-
2008DNP--
2009T54+4Made cut
2010DNP--
2011CUT+6-
2012DNP--
2013CUT+5Final appearance

World Golf Championships

The (WGC) series consists of elite invitational tournaments limited to the top players in the , past major champions, and select invitees, designed to showcase the game's best talent in high-stakes competition. Kevin Sutherland's participation in the WGC events highlighted his competitive presence among golf's elite during the early 2000s, with his standout performance coming at the 2002 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Held at The Resort and Spa in , the 2002 Accenture Match Play featured a 64-player field in a single-elimination format, with matches played over 18 holes except for the 36-hole final—a structure that emphasized endurance and head-to-head strategy over four days in . (Note: cited for format details only, as primary structure is verified elsewhere) As the No. 62 seed out of 64—the lowest in the field—Sutherland defied expectations by engineering a series of upsets against higher-ranked opponents, marking one of the most improbable runs in WGC history. In the round of 64, he outlasted world No. 3 David Duval on the 20th hole after trailing early. He followed with a victory over Paul McGinley in the round of 32, then upset world No. 14 Jim Furyk in the round of 16 with a mistake-free performance. The quarterfinals saw him defeat world No. 7 David Toms, advancing to the semifinals where he beat Brad Faxon. Sutherland clinched the title by edging fellow American Scott McCarron 1-up in the 36-hole final, securing $1 million and his sole PGA Tour victory after 184 starts. Sutherland credited his success in part to adopting the claw putting grip just a week earlier at the Nissan Open, a technique that stabilized his stroke under pressure and became a key factor in his putting throughout the event. Post-2002, Sutherland's WGC results reflected a decline in world ranking and fewer invitations, with limited contention in his four subsequent appearances.
EventYearFinishNotes
WGC-Accenture 20021stSole win
WGC-American Express Championship2002T58-
WGC-NEC Invitational2002T27-
WGC-Accenture 2003R16Round of 16
WGC-NEC Invitational2009CUTMissed cut
RoundOpponentWorld RankingResult
Round of 643Win (20 holes)
Round of 32N/AWin
Round of 1614Win
Quarterfinals7Win
SemifinalsN/AWin
Final (36 holes)Scott McCarronN/AWin (1 up)

References

  1. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/player/06595/kevin-sutherland
  2. https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/players/Kevin%2BSutherland/228/
  3. https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2015/06/sutherland-hopes-home-cooking-is-the-right-recipe-for-victory.html
  4. https://fresnoahof.org/sutherland-kevin/
  5. https://www.athletespeakers.com/speaker/kevin-sutherland
  6. https://www.europeantour.com/players/kevin-sutherland-30439/
  7. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/article/news/tour-insider/2022/03/23/revisiting-kevin-sutherland-stunning-win-2002-match-play
  8. https://www.pgatour.com/player/06595/kevin-sutherland
  9. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/21392989/kevin-sutherland-wins-pga-tour-champions-finale
  10. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2021/07/first-59-champions-tour.html
  11. https://blog.ncga.org/norcal-native-kevin-sutherlands-journey
  12. https://sportspundit.com/golf/golfers/3625-kevin-sutherland
  13. https://www.hagginoaks.com/blog/did-you-know-sacramento-has-its-own-golf-hall-of-fame/
  14. https://mortongolffoundation.org/kevin-sunderland/
  15. https://collegiategolf.com/news/1764-honors-and-awards-ping-all-america-teams-1980-89
  16. https://bigwest.org/sports/2022/4/29/mgolf-big-west-championship-history.aspx
  17. https://www.sacsportshof.com/kevin-sutherland
  18. https://vault.si.com/vault/1999/06/07/oh-brother-its-hard-to-believe-but-the-sutherland-boys-are-making-a-name-for-themselves-on-tour
  19. https://www.chron.com/sports/golf/article/Sutherland-rises-to-32nd-2064026.php
  20. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/sports/golf/17golf.html
  21. https://www.wisconsin.golf/men/mens_professional/skip-kendall-chris-dimarco-and-the-claw-putting-grip-how-a-chance-encounter-became-a/article_fb689f5c-c5cf-11ea-9d2c-2b6bc2f33477.html
  22. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/golf/2008-pga-tour-money-list-idUSL1426655/
  23. https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2008/the-barclays/R8000432/past-results
  24. https://www.theopen.com/previous-opens/130th-open-royal-lytham-st-annes-2001
  25. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/11/2007-pga-championship.html
  26. https://www.pga.com/archive/news/pga-tour/ill-timed-tumble-ends-kevin-sutherlands-season-possibly-pga-tour-career
  27. https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/kevin-sutherland/00000188-9cf0-da6b-abd8-fcfddcc900dc
  28. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/2013-travelers-championship-results-final-leaderboard-prize-money-payout/
  29. https://datagolf.com/player-profiles?dg_id=4996
  30. https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/article-doug-ferguson-notes-injuries-are-pain-neck-good-timing-award
  31. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/tournaments/2014/u.s-senior-open-championship/S2014512/past-results
  32. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2014/08/16/champions-tour-59-kevin-sutherland-dicks-sporting/76971391007/
  33. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/sports/golf/sutherland-shoots-first-59-in-champions-tour-history.html
  34. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/golf/article10089713.html
  35. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/kevin-sutherland-defeats-scott-parel-on-the-seventh-playoff-hole-to-win-rapiscan-systems-classic
  36. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/kevin-sutherland-shoots-28-on-the-back-nine-then-defeats-scott-parel-in-a-playoff-at-the-principal-charity-classic
  37. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/article/news/daily-wrapup/2020/11/09/kevin-sutherland-wins-charles-schwab-cup-championship-on-9th-playoff-hole
  38. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/article/news/daily-wrapup/2021/02/28/kevin-sutherland-wins-cologuard-classic
  39. https://www.pga.com/archive/events/seniorpgachampionship/senior-pga-championship-2018-purse-and-winners-share
  40. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/04/09/it-s-all-about-getting-a-grip/
  41. https://www.facebook.com/PGATOURChampions/videos/kevin-sutherlands-key-for-distance-control/10155788924854299/
  42. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/tournaments/2023/ascension-charity-classic/S2023625/past-results
  43. https://www.boeingclassic.com/about/past-champions/
  44. https://www.foxsports.com/golf/kevin-sutherland-player-results?groupId=2&season=2023
  45. https://www.foxsports.com/golf/kevin-sutherland-player-results?groupId=2&season=2024
  46. https://cologuardclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Round_3_Notes_Cologuard_2024.pdf
  47. https://www.stifelcharityclassic.com/tournament-info/past-results/scoreboard/2024/
  48. https://www.golflive24.com/champions-tour/stifel-charity-classic-2024/
  49. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/25/sports/golf-cliffhanger-finish-for-a-first-time-winner.html
  50. https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/From-No-62-to-Match-Play-champ-Sutherland-2869384.php
  51. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-feb-25-sp-golf25-story.html
  52. https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2002/0225/162351-golf2/
  53. https://www.golfrankingstats.com/player/kevin-sutherland
  54. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2017/11/12/kevin-sutherland-wins-schwab-cup-despite-bernhard-langers-7-win-season/76634774007/
  55. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2019/04/01/golf-pga-tour-champions-kevin-sutherland-wins-monday-playoff/76583014007/
  56. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/article/news/daily-wrapup/2019/06/02/kevin-sutherland-rallies-outlasts-scott-parel-principal-charity-classic
  57. https://ping.com/en-us/pros/champions-tour/kevin-sutherland
  58. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-20-sp-873-story.html
  59. https://www.pgatour.com/player/06595/kevin-sutherland/bio
  60. https://gobulldogs.com/news/2017/3/29/mens-golf-pga-pro-kevin-sutherland-returns-to-play-with-alma-mater
  61. https://foremajorsgolf.com/player/8116/kevin-sutherland
  62. https://www.statmuse.com/pga/ask/who-won-the-open-championship-in-2001
  63. https://www.al.com/sports/2015/05/post_679.html
  64. https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2025/07/27/2025-isps-handa-senior-british-open-championship-final-results-prize-money-payout-pga-tour-champions-leaderboard-how-much-each-golfer-won-137926/
  65. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/past-results/2015/senior-pga-championship/S2015021
  66. https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions/tournaments/2018/u.s-senior-open-championship/S2018512/past-results
  67. https://www.foxsports.com/golf/scorecard?id=4204&player=kevin-sutherland
  68. https://www.foxsports.com/golf/scorecard?id=3830&player=kevin-sutherland
  69. https://www.foxsports.com/golf/kevin-sutherland-player-results?groupId=2&season=2025
  70. https://www.westernintercollegiate.golf/alumni-achievements/at-the-players-championship/
  71. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/throwback-thursday-that-wgc-match-play-final-you-probably-do
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