Len Mattiace Bio
Leonard Earl Mattiace is an American professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour and now plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Born on October 15, 1967, in Mineola, New York, he rose to national attention in the early 2000s after contending in several of the game’s most prestigious events. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Mattiace turned professional in 1990 and built a career defined by a steady game and memorable Sunday runs at major championships.
Although he captured two PGA Tour titles during the 2002 season, Mattiace became best known for his near-miss at the 2003 Masters Tournament, where he finished second after a playoff with Mike Weir. After years away from full-time competition, he returned to active play on the PGA Tour Champions, debuting in 2018 at the Cologuard Classic. He continues to compete at the senior level while remaining connected to the broader professional golf community.
Early Life and Background
Leonard Earl Mattiace was born on October 15, 1967, in Mineola, New York. He grew up in a period when golf in the United States was expanding rapidly, and his family eventually relocated to the Jacksonville area in Florida, where the sport had a strong community presence. As a young player, Mattiace developed his game in this competitive environment, gaining exposure to a variety of courses and playing conditions along the way.
He attended Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida, where he competed on the school’s golf team. His time at Nease helped him sharpen his competitive approach and prepared him for the next step in his development. After high school, Mattiace enrolled at Wake Forest University, a program with one of the strongest collegiate golf traditions in the country.
At Wake Forest, Mattiace majored in sociology and graduated in 1990. While on the university team, he was a contributor to the squad that captured the NCAA Division I Golf Championship in 1986, an experience that gave him early exposure to high-level team competition. The college years also allowed him to refine his course-management skills and prepare for the demands of professional play.
Path to Professional Golf
Mattiace’s transition to the PGA Tour began shortly after his graduation from Wake Forest, when he turned professional in 1990. The early years of his career were spent working his way through qualifying stages and mini-tour events, building the experience required to compete at the highest level. His amateur pedigree, highlighted by the 1986 NCAA team title, gave him a foundation of confidence.
Through consistent play on developmental circuits, Mattiace earned his PGA Tour card and began competing regularly against the top players in the world. His patient approach and steady ball-striking allowed him to adapt to the variety of courses on tour. By the late 1990s, he was beginning to post results that signaled his arrival as a competitive presence on the PGA Tour.
That emergence was confirmed at the 1998 Players Championship, where Mattiace surged into contention on the final day and briefly threatened the lead. Although a costly finish at the par-3 17th hole dropped him out of the running, his performance at TPC Sawgrass announced him as a player capable of contending on the biggest stages.
Len Mattiace Career
Early Career (1990s)
After turning professional in 1990, Mattiace spent his first several seasons sharpening his game and pursuing full status on the PGA Tour. He progressed through qualifying events and gained comfort competing week after week against established professionals. By the middle of the decade, he had earned his tour card and was regularly making cuts in regular events.
His first major moment on tour came at the 1998 Players Championship, where he charged into the final group on Sunday. Trailing by one shot at the par-3 17th hole, he played his tee shot into the water, his third shot into a bunker, and his fourth shot back into the water, carding a quintuple-bogey 8. He finished in a tie for fifth, four strokes behind Justin Leonard, but the performance established him as a contender in big moments.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2002-2003)
The 2002 season was the high point of Mattiace’s PGA Tour career. He captured his first title at the Nissan Open, doing so in his 220th PGA Tour start, demonstrating the patience that had become a hallmark of his career. Later that summer, he added a second victory at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, confirming that his breakthrough was no fluke.
Mattiace’s 2003 Masters Tournament performance remains the most memorable moment of his career. He shot a 65 in the final round to force a playoff with Mike Weir at Augusta National. On the first playoff hole, his approach drifted into the trees, leaving him stymied and unable to make a meaningful run at the title. Weir converted a bogey to win, and Mattiace finished second, earning $648,000 in prize money.
PGA Tour Champions Era (2018-Present)
After a skiing accident following the 2003 season left him with torn ACLs in both knees, Mattiace faced a long road back. He was not fully exempt on the PGA Tour after 2005 and gradually stepped away from full-time competition. In March 2018, he made his PGA Tour Champions debut at the Cologuard Classic, signaling a return to competitive golf at the senior level.
Since then, Mattiace has continued to play a regular schedule on the PGA Tour Champions. His experience and course-management skills have translated well to the senior circuit, where he has remained an active participant. His return has allowed him to extend a career that began more than three decades ago.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2003 Masters Tournament stands as the signature event of Mattiace’s career. His closing 65 and the playoff with Mike Weir remain one of the most discussed Sunday finishes of that era. His 2002 victories at the Nissan Open and the FedEx St. Jude Classic are his only PGA Tour titles, and his early contribution to Wake Forest’s 1986 NCAA team title marked his first significant team success.
Len Mattiace Career Wins
Leonard Earl Mattiace has captured two PGA Tour titles during his career, both coming during the 2002 season. His wins reflect a player who took time to find his footing before peaking in his mid-thirties. He is also credited with amateur success as part of Wake Forest’s 1986 NCAA Division I Golf Championship team.
PGA Tour Highlights
Mattiace’s first PGA Tour victory came at the 2002 Nissan Open, which he won in his 220th career start on tour. Later that same season, he added the FedEx St. Jude Classic, giving him two wins in one year. He has not won on the PGA Tour since 2002, though he has recorded numerous strong finishes in the years that followed.
Other Wins and Performances
As an amateur, Mattiace was a member of the Wake Forest University team that won the 1986 NCAA Division I Golf Championship. He has not added a PGA Tour Champions title since his senior debut in 2018, but his consistent play has kept him active on the circuit. His career continues to be measured by his PGA Tour achievements and the lasting impression of his 2003 Masters run.
Len Mattiace Family
Personal Life
Len Mattiace is naturally left-handed but plays golf right-handed, an unusual trait that has drawn attention from coaches and fellow players. He has made his home in Jacksonville, Florida, an area long associated with professional golfers. He continues to balance his playing career with personal commitments in the Jacksonville community.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Leonard Earl Mattiace remains an active competitor on the PGA Tour Champions. Drawing on more than three decades of professional experience, he continues to play a select schedule of senior events, focusing on tournaments that suit his steady ball-striking and course-management strengths. His participation keeps him connected to the professional game he first entered in 1990.
Mattiace’s 2025 campaign reflects the same patient approach that has defined his career. While his best years on the PGA Tour remain in the past, his continued presence on the Champions circuit serves as a reminder of his longevity and durability. He has shown he can still compete with strong fields, even as the senior ranks have grown deeper with the arrival of more recent stars.
Looking ahead, Mattiace will look to build momentum in selected events and make the most of his opportunities. His career arc, from a 1986 NCAA title at Wake Forest to two PGA Tour wins in 2002 and a memorable playoff at the 2003 Masters, provides a strong foundation for whatever remains in his playing days.