Ben Kohles Bio
Ben Kohles is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. Born on February 24, 1990, in Dallas, Texas, Kohles rose through the amateur ranks before turning professional in 2012 and quickly establishing himself as one of the most decorated developmental-circuit players of his generation. He is widely recognized for his historic start on the Web.com Tour and for being named the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Ben Kohles was born on February 24, 1990, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in the Dallas area before his family moved to North Carolina, where he attended Green Hope High School in Cary. At Green Hope, he developed the competitive foundation that would later support a serious college golf career, training in a region known for producing accomplished junior players.
Coming from a family environment that valued athletics, Kohles committed to the University of Virginia to play college golf at one of the most competitive programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His time at Virginia sharpened both his competitive instincts and his course-management skills, preparing him for the demands of professional tournament golf.
Path to Professional Golf
At the University of Virginia, Ben Kohles won five individual events and earned All-American honors three times, establishing himself as one of the top collegiate players in the country. He was also a two-time ACC Player of the Year, reflecting his consistency in conference play and his ability to perform in high-pressure tournaments against elite fields.
Following his decorated amateur career, Kohles turned professional in July 2012. He was invited to compete on the Web.com Tour based on his All-American status, and his transition to professional golf was immediate and historic. Within the span of two weeks, he captured two victories and announced his arrival as a player to watch on the developmental circuit.
Ben Kohles Career
Early Career (2012)
Ben Kohles turned professional in July 2012 and entered the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational on the Web.com Tour, which was the first professional tournament of his career. He won the event in a playoff over Luke Guthrie, making a birdie at the first extra hole to claim the title. With the victory, Kohles became the first player to win on his Web.com Tour debut since 2007 and the first ever to do so without any prior professional tournament experience.
The following week, Kohles won the Cox Classic, closing with a final-round 62 to win by three shots. He became the first player in the history of the Web.com Tour to win both of the first two tournaments he played. The back-to-back wins moved him to second on the tour’s money list, guaranteeing a top-25 finish and earning him a PGA Tour card for the 2013 season.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2012–2013)
Ben Kohles made his PGA Tour debut at the 2012 Wyndham Championship, stepping onto the game’s biggest stage shortly after his record-setting developmental run. Although he was unable to retain his full Tour privileges in the seasons that followed, the experience marked an important milestone and provided exposure against the strongest fields in professional golf.
After spending time refining his game away from the PGA Tour, including a stretch on PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2016, Kohles continued to build his professional résumé. His perseverance eventually brought him back to higher-level competition, where his steady ball-striking and tournament experience would once again prove valuable.
Korn Ferry Tour Resurgence (2023)
Ben Kohles enjoyed a breakthrough season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023, capturing the season-long points title and earning recognition as the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year. The award reflected a body of work that included multiple victories and consistent high finishes across the schedule, cementing his return to the upper levels of professional golf.
His 2023 campaign resulted in a return to the PGA Tour, where he has since continued to compete. The resurgence validated the work he had put in during his years on PGA Tour Latinoamérica and other developmental circuits and underscored his reputation as a durable, consistent competitor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Ben Kohles’s career are his consecutive Web.com Tour victories in 2012, his PGA Tour debut at the Wyndham Championship that same year, and his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year honor. Each milestone represents a distinct chapter in a career built on steady play and the ability to perform in pressure moments.
Ben Kohles Career Wins
Ben Kohles has built a professional résumé highlighted by four Korn Ferry Tour wins and a 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year award. His victories span both his debut season and his 2023 resurgence, and he holds a perfect 3–0 record in Korn Ferry Tour playoffs. His win total reflects consistent performance at the developmental level of professional golf.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
Ben Kohles’s first two Korn Ferry Tour victories came at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational and the Cox Classic in 2012, both of which he won in his opening weeks as a professional. He added two more Korn Ferry Tour wins during his standout 2023 season, which also featured the points title and the Player of the Year award. His 3–0 playoff record on the Korn Ferry Tour underscores his comfort in head-to-head situations.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his Korn Ferry Tour victories, Ben Kohles competed on PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2016, gaining valuable experience in international competition. His time across multiple developmental tours helped him develop the well-rounded game that ultimately fueled his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour success and return to the PGA Tour.
Ben Kohles Family
Personal Life
Details about Ben Kohles’s personal and family life are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He was born in Dallas, Texas, and later moved with his family to Cary, North Carolina, where he attended Green Hope High School. Outside of golf, he maintains a presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional activities.
2025 Season Performance
Ben Kohles entered the 2025 PGA Tour season following his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year campaign, looking to build on the momentum that returned him to the game’s top level. The early portion of his schedule has centered on establishing his scoring average and securing status through consistent finishes in full-field events.
Working with his support team, Kohles has continued to rely on the course-management strengths that defined his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour success. As the season unfolds, his primary objectives include making cuts regularly, contending in selected events, and positioning himself for stronger opportunities in the latter half of the schedule.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season represents a critical stretch for Ben Kohles as he works to cement his place among full-time PGA Tour players. Continued steady play and selective aggression in key events could position him for higher finishes and additional milestones as the year progresses.