Kevin Stadler

Player Profile: Kevin Stadler

On Sunday Kevin Stadler won his first-ever PGA tournament at the Phoenix Open. In this week’s player profile we find out more about this talented young American who is making his presence felt on the Tour.

Raised on golf
34-year-old Stadler grew up in Reno, Navada and Denver, Colorado. The son of US Masters champion Craig Stadler, he was exposed to the game throughout his childhood and with a mix of great golfing genes and an excellent mentor in the form of his father, a career on the golf course was almost inevitable.

After finishing his high school education, Stadler attended the University of Southern California. He made his professional debut in 2002, at the age of 22, and enjoyed a successful rookie season on the Nationwide Tour.

Early Victories
Two years after his debut, Stadler got his first taste of victory on home soil when he won the 2004 Lake Eerie Charity Classic. He followed up in 2006 with a win at the Xerox Classic - both were Nationwide Tour events.

In 2006, Stadler won the Johnny Walker Classic in Australia - a European Tour co-sanctioned event. Winning an exemption to the European and Australian Tours, he weathered the competition and recorded several impressive finishes during the 2007 season. Stadler also secured a PGA Tour card in 2007, and has played on the Tour ever since.

The “Smallrus” joins the PGA Tour’s winner’s circle
Sunday’s victory in Phoenix comes 11 years into Stadler’s professional career. His resolve and attention to detail during the final round allowed him to face off against a field of more experienced competitors and clinch the title - we may be in store for many more impressive victory rounds from this talented golfer.

Fans and fellow-golfers often refer to Stadler as the “Smallrus” - a nickname which pays homage to his father Craig who was known as the Walrus. The burly and easy-going player has endeared himself to fans and competitors alike as he makes his mark on the international golf scene.

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