Player Profile - Kevin Na

This week's player profile highlights the recent success of 2011 Las Vegas Open winner , Kevin Na. Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. When he was eight, his family made the decision to immigrate to the United States and today he is an American citizen. Having taken an early interest in the game of golf, he turned professional in 2001 at the age of 17.

Since turning professional, Na has competed on several top-level and second-level tours around the globe. On the Asian Tour, Na was successful in 2002 when he won the Volvo Masters of Asia. He has also played on the European Tour where he had the opportunity to hone his skills against some of the finest players on the Continent.

Back in the United States, Na has played on the Nationwide Tour and the top-level US PGA Tour. In the 2006 season, he won the Mark Christopher Charity Classic on the Nationwide Tour and soon after this victory his debut on the US PGA Tour would follow.

In 2009 Na enjoyed his first taste of success on the US PGA Tour, carding nine top-10 finishes and receiving invitations to the US Masters and US Open tournaments. The 2010 season saw him repeat this excellent pattern as he weathered the challenges the Tour presents to all of its players. Na's 2011 season got off to a strong start when he came second at the Northern Trust Open in February. Although he lost the tournament to Australia's Aaron Badderley, this near-victory was an important step in Na's path to victory.

In April, Na was in the media for a somewhat less positive performance when he broke the record for worst-ever shot in PGA Tour history: he scored a 16 on the ninth hole of the Valero Texas Open. This temporary setback was soon forgotten on Sunday however; when Na won his first-ever tour victory at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas, also known as the Las Vegas Open.

Golfweather Editorial