Boo Weekley Bio
Thomas Brent “Boo” Weekley is an American professional golfer born on July 23, 1973, in Milton, Florida. Turning professional in 1997, Weekley worked his way through the mini-tours before qualifying for the PGA Tour in 2002. He is best known for winning the Verizon Heritage in 2007 and successfully defending the title in 2008, and for his spirited performance at the 2008 Ryder Cup. Weekley currently competes on the PGA Tour Champions.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Brent Weekley was born and raised in Milton, Florida, the small community where he first picked up the game of golf. He attended Milton High School, where he played on the golf team alongside fellow future PGA Tour player Heath Slocum. After high school, Weekley enrolled at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia, where he studied turfgrass science and continued to play college golf.
Weekley left college after only one year and returned home to the Florida Panhandle. He took a job as a hydroblaster at the Monsanto chemical plant in Pensacola, a demanding role that required him to be lowered into large ammonia tanks for cleaning. The nickname “Boo” was given to him by his grandmother, inspired by the character Boo Boo Bear from the cartoon Yogi Bear. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 210 pounds, Weekley eventually committed himself to a full-time career in professional golf.
Path to Professional Golf
Weekley began his professional career on the Developmental Players Tour in Atlanta, a regional circuit co-founded by Jack Slocum, the father of his close friend Heath Slocum. He lists golf legend Ben Hogan as his hero and credits the developmental tour with sharpening his competitive game. In 1997, Weekley turned professional and spent several seasons grinding on the mini-tours, learning how to handle the pressure of weekly competition.
After years of persistence, Weekley qualified for the PGA Tour in 2002, his first real taste of top-level professional golf. The transition was difficult, and he made the cut in only five of twenty-four events that season, eventually losing his tour card. From 2003 through 2006, he returned to the Nationwide Tour, the PGA Tour’s official development circuit, and posted enough solid finishes to earn another promotion back to the big stage.
Boo Weekley Career
Early Career (1997–2002)
During his early professional years, Weekley played primarily on regional mini-tours and the Developmental Players Tour based in Atlanta. These small-scale events helped him build a steady game and a reputation as a gritty competitor. His breakthrough came in 2002 when he qualified for the PGA Tour, joining the game’s top regular circuit alongside the best players in the United States.
The 2002 PGA Tour season proved to be a steep learning curve. Weekley made the cut in only five of twenty-four starts and finished outside the top 150 on the money list, costing him his tour card. Rather than walk away, he accepted a demotion to the Nationwide Tour, where he would spend the next three seasons rebuilding his confidence and refining his game.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2007–2008)
Weekley’s first PGA Tour victory arrived in April 2007 at the Verizon Heritage, a long-standing event played at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Strong finishes earlier that spring had already pushed him toward the top of the rankings, and the win moved him into the top 55 of the Official World Golf Rankings. Later in 2007, he entered the top 50, a milestone that secured spots in elite tournaments and major championships.
In 2007, Weekley also represented the United States at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup alongside Heath Slocum, with the American pair finishing second. He posted solid results in the majors that year as well, including a tie for ninth at the PGA Championship and a tie for twenty-sixth at the U.S. Open.
The 2008 season elevated Weekley even further. He returned to the Verizon Heritage and successfully defended his title, becoming the first player since the event’s long-time sponsor era to win back-to-back. His strong play pushed him to a career-best Official World Golf Ranking of 23 in April 2008. He also tied for twentieth at the Masters Tournament and again tied for twenty-sixth at the U.S. Open.
The defining moment of Weekley’s career came at the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Playing for the United States, he delivered an emphatic 4&2 singles victory over England’s Oliver Wilson on the final day, one of the most decisive matches of the week. Television cameras also caught him riding his driver “cowboy horse” style down the first fairway, an image that became one of the lasting memories of that Ryder Cup.
Later PGA Tour Years and PGA Tour Champions Era (2013–Present)
After several quieter seasons, Weekley captured his third PGA Tour title in May 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas. He beat Matt Kuchar by a single stroke, ending a victory drought of roughly five years and signaling that his best golf was not yet behind him.
Beginning in 2017, injuries increasingly limited his schedule. He played no professional events between the July 2017 RBC Canadian Open and the January 2019 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Web.com Tour, owing in part to tendinitis. Another long break followed between November 2019 and a 2022 return at the Rex Hospital Open on the Korn Ferry Tour. With no full-time PGA Tour status, Weekley relied on past champions status and sponsor exemptions to make occasional starts. In August 2023, he began playing on the PGA Tour Champions, where he continues to compete.
Driving Style and Strengths
Weekley is recognized as a strong ball striker with a particular fondness for traditional, Hogan-inspired ball flight. He plays best on classical, positional golf courses such as Harbour Town and Colonial, where accuracy and short-game creativity matter more than raw distance. His aggressive but controlled approach, paired with a calm temperament on the greens, has allowed him to compete well on varied course layouts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Weekley’s signature moments include his back-to-back wins at the Verizon Heritage in 2007 and 2008, his 4&2 singles victory at the 2008 Ryder Cup, and his emotional win at the 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He also reached a career-high world ranking of 23 in April 2008, capping a remarkable stretch of form.
Boo Weekley Career Wins
Weekley has recorded three verified PGA Tour victories across his career, with each win arriving in high-profile events. His first two titles came at the Verizon Heritage, where his smooth tempo and accuracy were a perfect match for Harbour Town’s tight, tree-lined layout. His third and most recent PGA Tour win came at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in 2013.
PGA Tour Highlights
Weekley’s PGA Tour wins include the 2007 Verizon Heritage, the 2008 Verizon Heritage, and the 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. The 2007 victory was his first on the PGA Tour after years of perseverance on the mini-tours and the Nationwide Tour. His most recent PGA Tour win came at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, where a final-round 67 edged Matt Kuchar by one stroke.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his three PGA Tour titles, Weekley partnered with Heath Slocum to finish second at the 2007 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, representing the United States in team competition. He also made regular appearances on the Nationwide Tour between 2003 and 2006, posting the finishes needed to regain his PGA Tour card.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 3 | Multiple | Not verified |
Boo Weekley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Weekley grew up in Milton, Florida, and remains closely tied to the Panhandle community. His longtime friendship with fellow Milton native and PGA Tour player Heath Slocum dates back to their days together at Milton High School, where they played on the same golf team.
Personal Life
Weekley lives in Jay, Florida, not far from his hometown of Milton. His partner is Susan Matthews Harp, with whom he has shared much of his adult life. He is well known for his laid-back personality, country humor, and love of the outdoor lifestyle that reflects his Florida roots.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Boo Weekley continues his transition into the PGA Tour Champions, where he joined the field in August 2023. As a past PGA Tour winner, he retains limited access to main-tour events through past champions status and sponsor exemptions, which he has used selectively in recent years. His primary focus remains the senior circuit, where shorter course setups reward the accuracy and touch that defined his prime years.
Weekley’s 2025 campaign is expected to include a selective schedule of PGA Tour Champions events, with the goal of building comfort on the senior circuit and contending for invitational berths. His experience in team events, including the Ryder Cup and World Cup, makes him a valuable presence in any format. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if he can add a senior title to his three PGA Tour trophies.
While injuries have curtailed his playing time in recent seasons, Weekley has shown he can still produce flashes of his old form when healthy. A strong 2025 would help cement his legacy as one of the most popular and recognizable American golfers of his generation, and could open the door to additional opportunities in team and invitational competitions.