Kevin Kisner Bio
Kevin James Kisner, born on February 15, 1984, is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. He first gained attention as a steady performer on the developmental circuits before breaking through on the game’s biggest stage. Across his career, Kisner has become known for his calm demeanor, sharp iron play, and a knack for performing in match-play competitions.
Standing 178 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 75 kilograms, Kisner has combined a level-headed approach with a reliable short game to compile multiple PGA Tour victories. He continues to represent the United States in international team competition while remaining closely tied to his hometown of Aiken, South Carolina.
Early Life and Background
Kevin James Kisner was born on February 15, 1984, in Aiken, South Carolina, where he still makes his home. He attended South Aiken High School, developing his game on the local courses and junior circuits that surround the area. The strong amateur golf tradition in the region helped shape his early interest in the sport.
After high school, Kisner enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he played collegiate golf for the Bulldogs. He was a member of the 2005 NCAA Division I Championship team alongside teammates Chris Kirk, Richard Scott, and Brendon Todd, giving him early exposure to high-level team competition and tournament pressure.
Following his graduation in 2006, Kisner chose to pursue a professional career rather than continue in the amateur ranks. His time at Georgia, working under a structured program and competing against future tour professionals, prepared him for the grind of the mini-tours that lay ahead.
Path to Professional Golf
Kisner’s introduction to the professional game came on the mini-tours, where he competed on the NGA Hooters Tour and the Tarheel Tour from 2007 to 2009, securing three victories along the way. These smaller circuits allowed him to refine his game, build confidence, and earn the status needed to advance to bigger stages.
In 2009, he also made six starts on the Nationwide Tour, gaining valuable experience against more established players. The following year, Kisner played the Nationwide Tour full-time in 2010 and captured his first title at the Mylan Classic. He finished 11th on the money list that season, securing his PGA Tour card for 2011.
The transition to the PGA Tour was not immediate, as Kisner struggled to keep his card in his first two seasons. A return to what was then renamed the Web.com Tour in 2013 led to a win at the Chile Classic in March, and a 13th-place finish on the regular-season money list restored his PGA Tour privileges for 2014.
Kevin Kisner Career
Early Career (2006–2013)
From 2006 through 2013, Kisner built his resume on the lower professional tours, sharpening a game built around accuracy and putting. His three wins across the NGA Hooters Tour and Tarheel Tour, paired with success on the Nationwide and Web.com Tours, demonstrated a consistent ability to finish tournaments high on the leaderboard.
The victory at the 2013 Chile Classic proved especially important, as it marked his return to form and paved the way for a sustained opportunity on the PGA Tour. By the end of this developmental period, Kisner had earned the reputation of a grinder who could score when given chances.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2014–2015)
Kisner’s first full PGA Tour season in 2014 produced several strong finishes, including a sixth-place result at the Wells Fargo Championship, an eighth-place finish at the Wyndham Championship, and a ninth-place showing at the RBC Canadian Open. These performances hinted that his first victory was approaching.
The 2015 season brought a series of heartbreaking runner-up finishes, including losses in sudden-death playoffs at the RBC Heritage, The Players Championship, and the Greenbrier Classic. At The Players Championship, Kisner finished tied with Sergio García and Rickie Fowler before falling to Fowler on the first extra hole. He added a fourth runner-up result at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
On November 22, 2015, Kisner finally broke through with a commanding six-stroke victory at the RSM Classic. It was his 109th PGA Tour start, and a final-round 64 turned a three-stroke lead into his first PGA Tour title. The win pushed him into the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking and placed him atop the early FedEx Cup standings.
Sustained Success and Match-Play Excellence (2017–2021)
On May 28, 2017, Kisner captured his second PGA Tour title at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational, winning by one stroke over three competitors. The victory reinforced his growing confidence in invitational fields and confirmed his place among the tour’s consistent contenders.
In March 2018, Kisner reached the championship match of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas, where he fell to Bubba Watson, 7 and 6. Later that summer, he tied for second at The Open Championship with a score of six-under-par, signaling his ability to compete in major championships on demanding links courses.
In March 2019, Kisner returned to the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play final and this time claimed the title, defeating fellow American Matt Kuchar 3 and 2. The win highlighted his skill in head-to-head formats and elevated his standing on the international stage.
In August 2021, Kisner won the Wyndham Championship by sinking a birdie on the second extra hole of a six-man sudden-death playoff, adding a fourth PGA Tour title to his resume and reinforcing his reputation for clutch finishing.
International Team Competition (2022)
In September 2022, Kisner was selected to represent the United States at the Presidents Cup. Across the three matches he played, he tied one session and lost two, contributing to the team effort in the biennial competition.
Kevin Kisner Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Kevin James Kisner and his wife, Brittany DeJarnett, founded the Kisner Foundation to support organizations that serve children in the areas of child health, education, and youth sports in and around Aiken, South Carolina. The foundation reflects the couple’s commitment to giving back to the community where Kisner grew up and continues to live.
The Kisners remain closely tied to Aiken, where Kevin maintains his residence and trains between PGA Tour events. The couple’s charitable work has become an important part of his identity beyond competitive golf.
2025 Season Performance
Kevin James Kisner entered 2025 continuing his long tenure as a respected presence in the United States team room and on the PGA Tour. His experience in match-play formats has kept him in consideration for international team selections, while his steady ball-striking provides a foundation for contending in regular stroke-play events.
Kisner’s commitment to the PGA Tour remains strong, and his involvement in team competitions underscores his continued value to American golf. As the season unfolds, his familiarity with classic American venues and his comfort in pressure moments position him as a reliable figure in the field.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025, Kisner’s priorities include remaining competitive in regular Tour stops while supporting American team efforts when called upon. His track record of clutch performances suggests he will continue to be a factor in tournaments that reward precision and patience.