Player Profile - Bo Van Pelt

This week's player profile highlights the recent career successes of American professional golfer Bo Van Pelt, winner of the 2011 CIMB Asia Pacific Classic.

Born in 1975 in the Midwestern city of Richmond, Indiana, Van Pelt enjoyed the benefits of a relaxed environment as he honed his golfing skills during his high school years. The son of Bob Van Pelt, an NFL football center who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, the young golfer benefitted from his family's sporting orientation.

Following his successful enrolment at Oklahoma State University, Van Pelt began his professional career in 1998. Following his debut on the Nationwide Tour, Van Pelt went about refining his golf skills as he weathered the challenges that professional golf places on its players.

Five years after his Nationwide Classic debut, Van Pelt was victorious at the 2003 Omaha Classic. Carding a final round score of 62, he scored a two stroke victory over South Africa's Craig Lile. Following this victory, Van Pelt set his sights on the US PGA Tour. Since joining this top-ranked tour he has won two titles to secure his place at the top level of professional golf.

In 2009, eleven years after turning professional, Van Pelt won his first US PGA Tour title when he beat compatriot John Mallinger in a final round playoff to win the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee. Van Pelt made birdie on the second playoff hole to lift the trophy.

Two years on, Van Pelt won an impressive victory on Sunday when he beat Jeff Overton, also of the United States, to win the 2011 CIMB Asia Pacific Classic.

Standing 6 foot 4 inches tall, Van Pelt's imposing physique has stood him in good stead as he negotiates some of the most challenging courses on the PGA Tour. With the new-found form that the American displayed on Sunday, his greatest wins may well be ahead of him.

Golfweather Editorial