Rico Hoey Bio
Richard Hoey, known professionally as Rico Hoey, is an American-Filipino professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. Born on 19 September 1995 in Manila, Philippines, he relocated to Rancho Cucamonga, California at a young age and later attended the University of Southern California. He turned professional in 2017 and worked his way through PGA Tour Canada and the Korn Ferry Tour before earning his PGA Tour card. After representing the United States earlier in his career, Hoey switched his international allegiance to the Philippines in 2024.
Standing 178 centimeters tall and playing at 93 kilograms, Hoey has steadily built a reputation as a consistent ball striker and a reliable presence in tournament play. His journey from the developmental circuits of PGA Tour Canada to the top tier of professional golf reflects years of competitive progression across multiple tours and international representation.
Early Life and Background
Richard Hoey was born on 19 September 1995 in Manila, Philippines. He moved to Rancho Cucamonga, California at a young age, where he was raised and developed his early interest in golf. Growing up in Southern California exposed him to a competitive amateur scene that helped shape his game during his formative years.
He attended the University of Southern California from 2014 to 2017, balancing his collegiate studies with competitive golf. His time at USC allowed him to refine his skills against high-level amateur competition and prepared him for the transition to the professional ranks upon graduation. The combination of a strong college program and a competitive amateur schedule laid the foundation for his professional career.
Path to Professional Golf
Hoey turned professional in 2017 and began his career on PGA Tour Canada, a recognized developmental circuit. During his rookie season, he captured the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, the season-ending event, which vaulted him to a fifth-place finish on the Order of Merit. That result earned him status to play on the 2018 Web.com Tour, marking his first step onto a pathway that feeds directly into the PGA Tour.
After several seasons of development, Hoey claimed his first Korn Ferry Tour victory at the 2023 Visit Knoxville Open. He finished the 2023 season fourth on the points list, securing his PGA Tour card for 2024. The breakthrough represented the culmination of years of work on the lower tours and confirmed his readiness for the highest level of professional golf.
Rico Hoey Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Hoey opened his professional career on PGA Tour Canada in 2017, where he made an immediate impact. His victory at the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, the tour’s season finale, was the defining result of his rookie campaign. The win not only showcased his ability to perform under pressure but also positioned him for a quick ascent to the Web.com Tour in 2018.
The 2018 Web.com Tour season represented Hoey’s first sustained exposure to the upper levels of the developmental pathway. Competing against seasoned professionals, he gained valuable experience that informed his long-term development and set the stage for future success on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Korn Ferry Tour Breakthrough (2023)
Hoey’s 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season was the breakthrough year of his professional career. He captured his first victory at the Visit Knoxville Open, a significant milestone that confirmed his status as a contender at that level. The win was part of a consistent season that saw him finish fourth on the regular-season points list.
That points position earned Hoey his PGA Tour card for 2024, completing his rise from PGA Tour Canada to the premier tour in men’s professional golf. His playoff record on the PGA Tour stands at 0–1, reflecting a competitive presence in the closing stages of events. He has also made team appearances in both amateur and professional capacities, underscoring his reputation within the sport.
PGA Tour Era (2024–Present)
Hoey made his PGA Tour debut in 2024 after earning his card through the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season. Early in the year, he made a significant decision regarding his international representation, switching from the United States to his birth country, the Philippines. The change occurred less than two years before the 2024 Olympic Games, which made him ineligible to compete at the Paris Olympics under the Philippines flag.
Despite the Olympic ineligibility, the switch aligned his professional identity with his heritage and opened future international opportunities. Hoey continues to compete on the PGA Tour, building on the momentum of his 2023 Korn Ferry Tour success and working to establish himself as a consistent performer at the top level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hoey’s career is marked by the 2017 Freedom 55 Financial Championship win on PGA Tour Canada, which launched his professional trajectory. The 2023 Visit Knoxville Open victory on the Korn Ferry Tour stands as his most significant achievement to date, securing his PGA Tour card. His decision to represent the Philippines in 2024 represents a personal milestone that connects his professional career to his roots in Manila.
Rico Hoey Career Wins
Richard Hoey has accumulated two verified professional wins across his career, with victories on PGA Tour Canada and the Korn Ferry Tour. These results trace his progression from a developmental rookie to a PGA Tour competitor and reflect consistent performance in season-defining events.
PGA Tour Canada Highlights
Hoey won the 2017 Freedom 55 Financial Championship, the season-ending event on PGA Tour Canada, in his rookie year as a professional. The victory was instrumental in his fifth-place finish on the Order of Merit that season and earned him status on the 2018 Web.com Tour.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
Hoey claimed his first Korn Ferry Tour title at the 2023 Visit Knoxville Open. The win was a defining moment in his career and contributed directly to his fourth-place finish on the 2023 points list, which secured his PGA Tour card for 2024.
Rico Hoey Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Hoey was born in Manila, Philippines, and moved to Rancho Cucamonga, California at a young age, where he was raised. His Filipino-American background has been a defining element of his identity, culminating in his 2024 decision to represent the Philippines in international competition. He currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 PGA Tour season, Rico Hoey continues his work as a PGA Tour member after earning his card through the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour. With a season of experience now behind him, he is focused on building consistency and competing in the later stages of tournaments. His 0–1 playoff record on tour indicates that closing out events remains an area for growth as he seeks his first PGA Tour victory.
Hoey’s representation of the Philippines adds a distinctive international dimension to his profile, and his competitive results on the PGA Tour will shape opportunities for future team events. The 2025 season represents a critical stretch in his development as he works to convert Korn Ferry form into sustained PGA Tour success.