The 2013-2014 PGA Tour Golf season came to a close this past weekend and UW graduate David Hearn had another successful season locking up his PGA Tour card for next year and earned over one million dollars.
Hearn, over the course of the golf season, which started last October, made over one million dollars for the third consecutive season and his Fed Ex Cup rank of 74 at the end of the year ensured that he will retain his PGA Tour card for next season.
“I feel like I had a good season,” said David Hearn. “I played good golf, I just didn’t play a lot of really great rounds. The season was really close to being really good.”
“I could not be more proud,” said UW’s head men’s golf coach Joe Jensen. “It’s awesome having him on tour.”
One of Hearn’s high points of the year was his tie for sixth at TPC Sawgrass. Often referred to as the “unofficial fifth major” Hearn was competing against a very strong field of golfers. Golfers such as Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk and the eventual champion Martin Kaymer, to name a few, all participated.
“It is one of the best fields of the year and to have a performance like I did was incredibly rewarding,” said Hearn. “Its a highlight finish for me in my career.”
“TPC showed what he is capable of as a golfer,” said Jensen.
Following that tournament Hearn’s Official Golf Ranking got as high as it has ever been in his career at 89.
Another yard stick moment for Hearn’s career happened in 2014 as he participated in his first British Open. Hearn qualified on Tuesday, two days before the start of the tournament, when Mark Calcavecchia withdrew. After finding the rough on his first tee shot of the tournament Hearn settled down and made the most of his opportunity by making the cut and finishing tied for 32nd.
“I had an amazing experience over there in Europe for the first time,” said Hearn. “It is so much fun to play that type of golf course. Very proud to play over there and do so well in my first Open Championship.”
Hearn has now played in three of the four majors. The only one he has yet to qualify for is The Masters.
“He is very comfortable out there on tour and his results show that.” said Jensen.
The Wyoming graduate tied his career high by playing in 28 events over the course of the year. In those 28 events Hearn was cut only eight times, lowest in his career, and established a new career high with four top-10s.
Hearn’s season got off to a quick start as he finished tied for 21st with a score of 275 (9-under) at the first tournament of the year, the Frys.com Open.
About a month later in November, Hearn represented Canada and participated in the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf. Hearn was low Canadian in route to a tie for eighth with a score of 283 (1-under).
The PGA Tour season then took about a month and a half break before starting back up again in the middle of January.
Hearn carded his second top-10 of the year in early March at the Honda Classic. He finished in a tie for sixth and almost back-doored into a playoff as he shot a closing round 67 (3-under) and was just two shots off the lead.
Just two weeks after the Honda Classic Hearn fired a 282 (2-under) in route to his third top-10 of the year at the Valspar Championship.
Hearn’s fourth and final top-10 of the year came in May at The Players where he shot a 279 (9-under).
“I played a great Florida swing,” said Hearn.
Hearn struggled to stay near the top of the leader board at the tail end of his season. He did make the cut at the British Open, tied for 32nd with a 285 (3-under) and did qualify for the PGA Championship, but failed to make the cut there.
“I am really close to getting to that next level,” said Hearn. “I definitely know that I am getting better. I feel really good about my game.”
David Hearn will be back in action on Oct. 10 as he opens his 2014-2015 season off at the Frys.com Open in San Martin, Calif.
“I have good feelings about 2015.” Hearn said.
