Ty Tryon

Ty Tryon

William Augustus "Ty" Tryon IV (born June 2, 1984) is an American professional golfer who was touted as a child prodigy, but has yet to make a competitive impact in the sport. As of 2012, he has conditional playing status on the Nationwide Tour.

Tryon was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He swings right-handed. He was coached at the David Leadbetter Academy in Florida. He turned professional in 2001 at the age of 16, which caused some controversy as typically American golfers attend college before turning pro. As an amateur in 2001, he made the cut at the PGA Tour's Honda Classic, making him, at the time, the third youngest player ever to make the cut in a PGA Tour event (16 years, 9 months, 7 days). He is now the sixth youngest.

At age 17, Tryon survived qualifying for the PGA Tour in the fall of 2001. He made his way through the three levels of elimination events to become the youngest player to earn exempt status in this manner. Following his qualification, he signed a lucrative endorsement deal with Callaway, estimated in the several millions of dollars.

Since qualifying, Tryon has failed to hold onto PGA Tour status. He struggled in his first full Tour season in 2002, failing to make the cut in six out of seven events. He also spent 2003 on the PGA Tour, and made his best finish on the tour that year by placing in a tie for 10th at the Bay Hill Invitational.

He has spent time on several other tours. His first professional win came at a NGA Hooters Tour event in February 2005. In 2007 he was playing on the Gateway Tour. In early May 2008, having gained entry into the Fort Smith Classic on the Nationwide Tour, as a Monday qualifier. He shot 67-69-72-72 to tie for 37th.

On June 7, 2010, Tryon qualified for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, by shooting 64-74 in sectional qualifying at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. The tournament marked Tryon's first major championship appearance, and first appearance on the PGA Tour since the 2003 FUNAI Classic. Tryon made the cut after two rounds and finished tied for 80th, 23 strokes over par.

Tryon accepted an invitation to play in the 2010 Alstom Open de France, one of the biggest events on the European Tour. He finished towards the bottom of the 156-man field, missing the cut at 13-over par.

In December 2010, Tryon made it to the finals of the PGA Tour Qualifying School for the first time since 2001. He finished tied for 114th place after six rounds, resulting in conditional playing status on the Nationwide Tour for 2011.

Tryon did not gain entry to a Nationwide Tour event until the Rex Hospital Open in June, but made fairly regular appearances in tournaments from then on. In all, he played in nine Nationwide Tour events during the season. He tied-29th at his first event, but did not make another cut in the following eight he played. The $3,713 Tryon made placed him 228th on the final 2011 money list.

During the course of 2011, Tryon again qualified for the U.S. Open, this time at Congressional. Rounds of 84-73 saw him miss the cut.

In December, Tryon reached the finals of Q School for the second year in a row, this time finishing in 158th place and again earning conditional status for the 2012 Nationwide Tour.

Tryon made his 2012 Nationwide Tour debut at the Mexico Open on June 7.

Tryon is married with a child.

Tryon's nickname, Ty, is derived from Chevy Chase's character "Ty Webb" in the movie Caddyshack.

In addition, has been featured in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour game series.