Who Are The Best Golfers Born In Kentucky?

When it comes to Kentucky, Golf isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, right? You are probably thinking about horse racing. However, not many people know that the Bluegrass State also has produced some of the finest golfers in the world.

We’ve seen plenty of golfers with Kentucky origins shine on big championships like the PGA Tour, LPGA, and more.

Most of these players have links from Lexington or Louisville, and have climbed the rankings reaching the top level. Yes, horses might be more popular here, but we also have to appreciate what golfers have done to make Kentucky proud, right?

So, which are the best ones? Let’s find out.

Kentucky’s Golfing Roots

Not many people know but Kentucky’s golf scene is as rich as its soil. On top of that, there are plenty of top courses like Valhalla, which host high-end competitions like the 2024 PGA Championship. 

But why are there so many golfers from Kentucky? Well, it is all because of their strong junior and college teams like the University of Kentucky, and as we all know, champions are built from a young age.

This sport has a long history with Kentucky, and has been around since the 1960s, and over the years, we’ve seen many PGA Tour major winners coming from Kentucky. All of these people have been highlighted in the Kentucky Golf Hall of FAme, founded in 1984. So, the sport has a long history with Kentucky.

The question is, who are the ones that reached the top level? Let’s find out.

Top Golfers Born in Kentucky

These five golfers, born in Kentucky, have left an indelible mark on the sport, ranked by their achievements and influence:

• Justin Thomas
• Bobby Nichols
• Gay Brewer
• Kenny Perry
• Emma Talley

Each has a unique story, from major triumphs to barrier-breaking feats, making Kentucky proud. 

If you are looking for our next Golf bet, take a look at the players competing in the championship. Does anyone come from Kentucky? If you find such a person, maybe their Kentucky golfing roots are enough for a safe bet.

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Let’s go back to the best golfers coming from Kentucky.

Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas, born in Louisville in 1993, is Kentucky’s golfing crown jewel, often called the state’s greatest ever at just 32. With a 15-4-0 PGA Tour record, including two PGA Championships (2017, 2022), Thomas hit World No. 1 in 2018, the 21st player to do so. 

His silky swing and clutch putting, honed at Goshen’s Harmony Landing, led to 15 PGA Tour wins, including the 2017 FedEx Cup. Known for booming drives—averaging 305 yards—and fearless iron play, he’s a Ryder Cup stalwart. 

Despite a 2024 dip, Thomas’s comeback at the Masters (T12) signals more to come. His charisma and Kentucky pride make him a global fan favorite, inspiring young golfers everywhere. 

Bobby Nichols

Bobby Nichols, born in Louisville in 1936, is a Kentucky golf icon, best known for his 1964 PGA Championship win. With 12 PGA Tour victories, including the 1962 St. Petersburg Open, Nichols was a powerhouse, finishing runner-up at the 1967 Masters and third at the 1962 U.S. Open. His smooth, controlled swing and deft short game, developed at St. Xavier High School, made him a 1960s star. 

Nichols’s resilience shone post-1967, when a car accident sidelined him, yet he returned to compete. Nowadays, his namesake course in Louisville and Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame status keep his legacy alive. Nichols’s major win and consistent top-10s cement him as a trailblazer for Kentucky golf. 

Gay Brewer

Gay Brewer, born in Lexington in 1932, brought flair to Kentucky golf, clinching the 1967 Masters by one stroke over Bobby Nichols. With 10 PGA Tour wins, including the 1966 Canadian Open, Brewer’s unorthodox, loopy swing defied critics, delivering 280-yard drives and pinpoint accuracy. His 1967 Masters duel with Nichols, both Kentuckians, is golf lore.

Inducted into the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame, Brewer’s course in Lexington bears his name. In 2025, his 1972 Ryder Cup heroics and colorful personality still resonate, making him a beloved figure for fans craving golf’s golden era.

Kenny Perry

Kenny Perry, born in Elizabethtown in 1960, is Kentucky’s hometown hero, with 14 PGA Tour wins and nine PGA Tour Champions titles, including four senior majors. His 2003 Memorial Tournament victory and two U.S. Senior Open wins (2013, 2017) showcase his longevity.

 Perry’s buttery iron play and calm demeanor, honed at Franklin’s Country Creek, led to a 2008 Ryder Cup win at Valhalla alongside J.B. Holmes, earning them “Kentuckians of the Year,”. 

Today, Perry’s work with his Perry Maxwell Golf Academy in Franklin inspires juniors. His 395-yard drives in his prime and clutch putting make him a Kentucky legend, admired for staying true to his roots.

Emma Talley

Emma Talley, born in Paducah in 1994, is Kentucky’s LPGA star, breaking barriers with her 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur win, defeating Yueer Cindy Feng 2 & 1. A Princeton native, Talley’s three KHSAA state titles (2008, 2010, 2011) and University of Alabama scholarship paved her way. 

With a 3-2-0 LPGA record, her best 2024 finish was T15 at the Cognizant Founders Cup. Talley’s crisp ball-striking and steady putting, averaging 29 putts per round, shine in majors. 

Who knew that Kentucky is not a horse-racing ground, but more of a Golf ground with so many high-level players coming from the Bluegrass State.