Ken Duke
Kenneth Wootson Duke (born January 29, 1969) is an American professional golfer who primarily competes on the PGA Tour Champions.[1] A native of Hope, Arkansas, Duke attended Henderson State University, where he earned NAIA All-American honors, before turning professional in 1994.[2] Diagnosed with scoliosis at age seven, he underwent corrective spinal surgery in 1985 that reduced his curvature from 72 degrees to 38 degrees, allowing him to resume playing golf competitively.[3] Duke initially competed on developmental and international tours, securing three victories in 1999 on the Canadian Tour: the Shell Payless Open, Bayer Championship, and Times Colonist Open.[2] He joined the PGA Tour in 2004 after earning his card through the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour), where he won twice, including the 2011 Nationwide Tour Championship.[3] His lone PGA Tour victory came at the 2013 Travelers Championship, where he defeated Chris Stroud in a playoff after a final-round 66.[1] Transitioning to the PGA Tour Champions upon reaching age 50 in 2019, Duke captured his first senior title at the 2023 Shaw Charity Classic with a birdie on the 18th hole to win by one stroke over Tim Petrovic and Thongchai Jaidee.[2][4] Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 205 pounds, he resides in Florida and remains active in charitable efforts, including the annual Ken Duke & Friends Celebrity Pro-Am event benefiting local causes.[5]Early life
Childhood and family background
Kenneth Wootson Duke was born on January 29, 1969, in Hope, Arkansas, to parents Ray and Bettie Duke.[6][7] His family relocated to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, when he was a young child, where he spent the majority of his early years in a close-knit household that emphasized perseverance and support.[7] The Dukes provided a stable environment in the small town of Arkadelphia, fostering a foundation that would later influence Duke's dedication to golf and family life.[7] Duke's initial exposure to golf came through his father, Ray, who introduced him to the sport during weekends and summer outings on local Arkansas courses.[7] This family encouragement sparked his interest in the game early in childhood, turning casual play into a passion that shaped his future pursuits.[6] The family's modest roots in rural Arkansas further instilled values of hard work and resilience, which Duke often credits for his grounded approach to life.[7]Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment
Discovered to have scoliosis at age seven, Ken Duke was formally diagnosed during his seventh grade year (age 12), after a school nurse noticed an irregularity in his posture. An examination at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, revealed a 26-degree curvature in his spine.[8][7][3] To manage the condition and prevent further progression, Duke was fitted with a custom back brace, which he wore for 23 hours a day during his eighth and ninth grade years, removing it only for showers and brief periods of physical activity. The brace restricted his mobility and breathing, leading to reduced energy levels that affected his participation in school and daily routines, though he continued attending classes regularly. Despite these challenges, the curvature worsened with his growth, reaching 72 degrees by early 1985 and posing risks to his heart and lungs.[8][7][9] In February 1985, Duke underwent surgery at Arkansas Children's Hospital to correct the severe curvature, during which surgeons fused his spine and inserted a 16-inch metal Harrington rod to straighten it. The procedure successfully reduced the curvature from 72 degrees to 38 degrees. Post-surgery, he experienced significant pain requiring medication and wore a brace for an additional six months to support healing, limiting his physical activities and necessitating a gradual recovery process that included walking short distances initially. The procedure was life-saving but imposed short-term restrictions, such as avoiding strenuous exertion and contact sports, while the recovery period allowed him to regain height, growing two inches taller as his spine aligned.[10][7][11][3] Long-term, the surgery stabilized Duke's spine but resulted in permanent limitations on high-impact activities to protect the hardware and fusion, influencing his approach to physical pursuits during adolescence. Overcoming these health obstacles fostered a deep resilience that later fueled his dedication to golf in high school.[7]Amateur career
High school golf achievements
Ken Duke attended Arkadelphia High School in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he began his competitive golf career while managing the effects of scoliosis surgery performed during his sophomore year.[7][12] Despite wearing a back brace post-surgery, Duke returned to the team and won medalist honors at a high school district golf tournament, carding a 77 to claim the title as a sophomore.[7][13] This success highlighted his resilience, as he adapted his training to accommodate the brace, focusing on controlled swings and reduced physical strain to avoid aggravating his condition.[7] By his senior year in 1987, Duke had emerged as a top regional talent, capturing the Arkansas High School Medalist title at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock.[14][15] These accomplishments, achieved amid ongoing health challenges, established him as a standout amateur golfer in Arkansas and paved the way for his recruitment to Henderson State University.[16]Collegiate career at Henderson State University
Ken Duke enrolled at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on a golf scholarship after a successful high school career.[17] From 1989 to 1992, Duke competed for the Reddies golf team in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a Division II program.[18] He played a pivotal role in leading the team to four consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) championships during his tenure.[18][19] Duke earned four-time All-AIC honors and was selected as the AIC Player of the Year each of those four seasons, showcasing his dominance in conference play.[18] In his senior year, he was named an NAIA All-American, recognizing his national-level performance.[18] His collegiate scoring prowess is highlighted by the AIC record for the lowest stroke average in a season, achieved at 68.4.[18] These accomplishments established Duke as one of the program's most accomplished golfers before he turned professional in 1994.[6]Professional career
Early professional years and minor tours
After graduating from Henderson State University, Ken Duke turned professional in 1994, marking the beginning of a challenging grind on the lower echelons of professional golf.[6] Drawing on his strong amateur foundation, he initially competed on various mini-tours across North America and internationally to build experience and earnings.[18] Duke's early professional efforts focused on developmental circuits, including the Golden Bear Tour in Florida and the Canadian Tour, where he sought to qualify through open events and performance-based exemptions. He secured his first professional victory on the Golden Bear Tour, a key milestone that provided momentum amid the competitive field of aspiring pros.[20] By 1996, he had joined the Canadian Tour full-time, finishing as runner-up at the Canadian Masters that year and competing consistently through 1999.[18] These tours demanded rigorous qualification processes, often involving pre-qualifiers and sponsor exemptions, to secure spots in tournaments.[3] The mid-1990s brought significant financial and logistical hurdles for Duke, as earnings from mini-tours were modest and insufficient to cover expenses. He frequently traveled internationally—playing on the Asian and South American Tours as well—relying on limited prize money and occasional loans from family to pay rent and sustain his career.[21] Despite these obstacles, Duke persisted, using the instability of mini-tour schedules to hone his game while managing the physical demands of constant travel.[20]PGA Tour breakthrough and challenges
Ken Duke earned his PGA Tour card by finishing tied for 12th at the 2003 PGA Tour Qualifying School, granting him full playing status for the 2004 season.[22] In his debut year on the PGA Tour, Duke competed in 28 events, achieving one top-10 finish at the John Deere Classic where he placed tied for eighth, but he struggled with consistency and finished 164th on the money list, losing his card at season's end. He returned to the developmental tour, now known as the Korn Ferry Tour, where successes there provided exemptions back to the PGA Tour in subsequent years. Throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, Duke faced significant challenges maintaining status, often battling to stay above the top-125 cutoff, with multiple seasons requiring Q-School or Korn Ferry performances to regain access. A lifelong complication from his adolescent scoliosis diagnosis exacerbated these difficulties, as the condition—corrected by a 16-inch steel rod surgically implanted in his spine at age 15—made sustaining high-level physical demands of professional golf improbable and led to recurring back issues that affected his swing and endurance during tournaments in the 2000s.[20][6] Despite these obstacles, Duke posted several strong results, including four top-10 finishes in 2008, his most consistent PGA Tour season to that point.[18] Duke's persistence culminated in a career peak Official World Golf Ranking of 70th in June 2013, achieved amid strong form leading into the Travelers Championship, where consistent scoring positioned him for his long-awaited breakthrough victory.[23] Prior to the win, he had recorded multiple top-10s and two runner-up finishes between 2007 and 2012, demonstrating growing competitiveness despite the physical toll.[20]Korn Ferry Tour successes
Ken Duke began his Korn Ferry Tour career in the mid-1990s, with his first appearance on the then-Nike Tour in 1995, but he competed more regularly in the 2000s to maintain professional status after grinding on developmental circuits like the Canadian and Asian Tours.[3] Duke's first victory came at the 2006 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation, where he closed with a 4-under-par 68 across three pro-am courses to finish at 13-under-par 273, edging Aron Price by one stroke and earning $112,500. This win marked a turning point, as Duke posted nine top-10 finishes that season, including runner-up results at the Melrose Classic and the Permian Basin Charity Golf Classic. His consistent performance culminated in leading the 2006 money list with $382,443, just under $10,000 ahead of Johnson Wagner, which earned him the Player of the Year honors and automatic promotion to the PGA Tour for 2007. These earnings provided essential financial stability amid his journeyman years.[24][25][20] After several seasons bouncing between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, Duke refocused on the developmental circuit in 2011. He captured his second title at the Nationwide Tour Championship presented by Visit Myrtle Beach, firing rounds of 72-68-70-68 for a 10-under-par total of 278, defeating Scott Brown by two strokes at Daniel Island Club. This triumph at age 42 vaulted him to seventh on the money list with $367,541 and guaranteed his return to the PGA Tour for 2012 by placing him inside the top 25.[26][27][20] Throughout his Korn Ferry Tour tenure, spanning from 1995 to 2011 with intermittent returns for status, Duke amassed 485 starts and two victories, underscoring his resilience and role in multiple PGA Tour comebacks.[11]Transition to PGA Tour Champions
Ken Duke transitioned to the PGA Tour Champions upon turning 50 on January 29, 2019, after failing to retain full playing status on the PGA Tour at the end of the 2018 season. His eligibility stemmed directly from the tour's age requirement for players 50 and older, supplemented by limited exemptions from his career achievements, including entry into the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship via his 2013 Travelers Championship victory.[28] Duke debuted in the 2019 Dominion Energy Charity Classic, finishing tied for 17th, and went on to play 16 events that rookie season, often securing spots through sponsor exemptions, Monday qualifying, and career money categories. He made the cut in multiple early outings, highlighted by a tie for sixth at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic where he posted a bogey-free final-round 68 to earn $61,200. By September, he had logged eight consecutive top-20 finishes, including a runner-up result at the Sanford International after leading into the final round. Duke adapted to the senior tour's predominant 54-hole format, which demanded rapid preparation amid sporadic starts, contrasting the 72-hole structure and grueling schedule of the PGA Tour. The competition featured seasoned professionals over 50, emphasizing precision and course management over raw distance.[29][28][30] In his inaugural season, Duke earned $300,600, placing 60th on the money list and securing conditional status for 2020. The following year, impacted by the COVID-19 shortened schedule, he ranked 47th with at least $205,304 in earnings through late October. By 2021, operating under partial exemption, Duke maintained consistent participation, and in 2022, he elevated to full exempt status, finishing 21st on the money list with nearly $700,000 in prize money. These early seasons established Duke as a steady contributor on the senior circuit, building toward greater success.[31][32][33]Professional wins
PGA Tour wins
Ken Duke secured his sole PGA Tour victory at the 2013 Travelers Championship, held from June 20–23 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.[34] Entering the event as a journeyman with prior success on the Korn Ferry Tour providing steady consistency, Duke posted scores of 69, 68, 65, and 66 across the four rounds, finishing at 12-under-par 268.[35][20] In the final round, Duke carded a 6-under 66, highlighted by a birdie on the 10th hole after his drive ricocheted off a tree for a favorable lie, allowing him to reach the green in two and convert the putt.[20] He closed with pars on 17 and 18 to take a temporary lead, but Chris Stroud birdied the 18th to force a playoff at 12-under.[36] On the first playoff hole (17), both players parred, but on the second (18), Duke stuck his approach shot to within 3 feet and drained the birdie putt to win.[20][36] The triumph marked Duke's first PGA Tour win in his 187th career start, at age 44 years, 4 months, and 25 days, making him the oldest first-time winner in 18 years.[37][38] Emotionally, the victory was profound after years of near-misses; Duke later recalled feeling overwhelmed by over 1,150 congratulatory texts and an emotional conversation with his parents, who had supported his improbable path from club professional to Tour contender.[20] The win earned him $1,098,000 in prize money and propelled him from 104th to 23rd on the season's money list, securing his playing status.[39][40]Korn Ferry Tour wins
Ken Duke secured his first Korn Ferry Tour victory at the 2006 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation, held from April 27–30 at three venues in the Upstate region of South Carolina: Thornblade Club in Greer, The Cliffs Golf Club in Travelers Rest, and Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg. In this unique pro-am format event, Duke posted a tournament-total score of 13-under-par 273, edging out runner-up Jess Daley by one stroke with a final-round 4-under 68.[24] The win, his first on the tour after turning professional in 1994, earned him $112,500 and propelled him from 20th to fifth on the season money list, ultimately helping him finish atop the standings and regain full PGA Tour status for 2007.[41] Duke's second Korn Ferry Tour triumph came at the 2011 Nationwide Tour Championship, contested October 27–30 at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, South Carolina. Entering the final round one stroke behind leader Jason Kokrak, Duke carded a 4-under-par 68 to finish at 10-under-par 278, securing a two-stroke victory over Kokrak and earning $180,000.[42] This season-ending win, following a challenging period that included losing his PGA Tour card after 2009, vaulted him from 36th to seventh on the money list, guaranteeing his return to the PGA Tour for 2012.[27] These two victories underscored Duke's perseverance during over a decade of grinding on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he made 485 starts, providing critical momentum that bolstered his professional trajectory amid repeated battles for PGA Tour exemption.[11]Canadian Tour wins
Ken Duke secured three victories on the Canadian Tour in 1999, marking key milestones in his early professional career. His first win came at the Shell Payless Open, held in British Columbia, where he demonstrated strong consistency across four rounds to claim the title. Later that season, Duke captured the Bayer Championship, overcoming a competitive field that included notable players like Arron Oberholser, securing victory by a narrow margin after a solid performance in the final rounds. He closed the year with a win at the Times Colonist Open, held at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia.[43] These successes propelled Duke to the top of the Canadian Tour Order of Merit, earning him $122,188 for the year and providing vital financial support during the lean startup phase of his pro career when stable income was essential.[43] The Canadian Tour, as a developmental circuit north of the border, offered Duke valuable international experience against diverse competitors and course conditions, serving as a critical stepping stone toward higher-profile tours like the Korn Ferry Tour and eventual PGA Tour access.[18]Golden Bear Tour wins
Ken Duke achieved his sole victory on the Golden Bear Tour in 2001, marking a key accomplishment during his formative years as a professional golfer after turning pro in 1994.[44] The Golden Bear Tour operated as a respected mini-tour circuit in Florida from 1996 to 2005, providing a competitive outlet primarily for regional professionals to gain playing experience, accumulate earnings, and position themselves for invitations to higher-tier developmental events.[45] This success on the tour, which was once the largest mini-tour in the area, underscored Duke's persistence in the demanding early stages of his career and served as a stepping stone amid his efforts to establish himself beyond amateur competition.[20]PGA Tour Champions wins
Ken Duke secured his lone PGA Tour Champions victory at the 2023 Shaw Charity Classic, held August 18–20 at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[4][46] The 54-hole stroke-play event featured no cut, and Duke finished at 14-under-par 196, carding rounds of 66, 64, and 66 to edge out Thongchai Jaidee and Tim Petrovic by one stroke.[47][48] Duke's opening 66 placed him in contention, followed by a career-best 64 on Saturday that vaulted him up the leaderboard amid calmer conditions. The final round proved challenging with windy weather pushing scoring averages nearly two strokes higher than the previous day; Duke responded with birdies on holes 13 and 18, including a clutch 5-to-6-foot birdie putt on the par-5 closer to seal the win.[4][46] At age 54, the victory marked Duke's first triumph in his 100th PGA Tour Champions start, four years after turning 50, and evoked deep emotion as he reflected on his journey from minor tours to this senior breakthrough.[4][49] The win earned Duke $360,000 from the $2.4 million purse and propelled him from 40th to 21st in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, securing his spot in the season-ending TimberTech Championship.[48][50] His prior PGA Tour experience, including his 2013 Travelers Championship victory, aided his precise iron play and putting under pressure in the senior ranks.[4]Major championship results
PGA Tour majors summary
Ken Duke participated in the PGA Tour majors between 2007 and 2014, qualifying primarily through his full-time PGA Tour status earned via prior-season money list finishes and his 2013 Travelers Championship victory, which granted exemptions into subsequent events. Over this period, he played in eight majors, making the cut in seven (88% rate), with his strongest performance being a T13 finish at the 2008 PGA Championship held at Oakland Hills Country Club. Duke's results reflected the challenges of consistent contention in majors, featuring occasional solid mid-pack placements amid one missed cut.[51][52] Duke appeared in the Masters Tournament three times, with his best result a T35 in 2009 after rounds of 71-72-73-72 (even par). He missed the cut in 2014 with scores of 75-76 (+7). No verified participation in 2008 or 2013. In the U.S. Open, his sole appearance was in 2007 at Oakmont Country Club, where he tied for 25th with a total of 295 (+15) via rounds of 74-75-73-73. For The Open Championship, Duke played once in 2013 at Muirfield, finishing T64 at +13. At the PGA Championship, he competed four times: T18 in 2007 (284, +4) with scores of 73-71-69-71; T13 in 2008 (286, +6) with scores of 69-73-73-71; T62 in 2012 (297, +9) via 71-78-74-74; and T57 in 2013 (287, +7) with scores of 75-68-70-74.[53][54][55][56][52][57][51][58]| Year | Major | Finish | Total Score (to par) | Earnings | Notes/Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | PGA Championship | T18 | 284 (+4) | $81,600 | Made cut; rounds 73-71-69-71 [pgatour.com] |
| 2007 | U.S. Open | T25 | 295 (+15) | $71,905 | Made cut; rounds 74-75-73-73 [golfcompendium.com] |
| 2008 | PGA Championship | T13 | 286 (+6) | $137,250 | Best major finish; rounds 69-73-73-71 [golfcompendium.com] |
| 2009 | Masters Tournament | T35 | 288 (E) | $38,625 | Best Masters; rounds 71-72-73-72 [golfcompendium.com] |
| 2012 | PGA Championship | T62 | 297 (+9) | $15,650 | Made cut; rounds 71-78-74-74 [spotrac.com] |
| 2013 | The Open Championship | T64 | 297 (+13) | $19,085 | Made cut; rounds 70-77-73-77 [golfcompendium.com] |
| 2013 | PGA Championship | T57 | 287 (+7) | $16,300 | Made cut; rounds 75-68-70-74 [pgatour.com] |
| 2014 | Masters Tournament | CUT | 151 (+7) | $0 | Rounds 75-76 [theguardian.com] |
Best performances in specific majors
Duke's strongest showing in a major championship came at the 2008 PGA Championship held at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.[59] He opened with a 3-under-par 69, tying for the low round of the day and positioning himself among the early leaders on the challenging South Course, known for its thick rough and fast greens.[60] Duke followed with rounds of 73, 73, and 71 to finish at 6-over-par 286, securing a tie for 13th place and earning $137,250—his best major finish and one that saw him outperform notable players such as Phil Mickelson (T29) and Justin Leonard (T20).[59] This performance highlighted his resilience amid the event's demanding setup, where winner Pádraig Harrington claimed the title at 3-under-par 280.[59] At the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, Duke achieved his best result in that storied event with a tie for 35th place.[53] His steady scores of 71, 72, 73, and 72 totaled even-par 288, navigating a week marked by variable weather including rain delays and gusty winds that affected play, particularly on Augusta's undulating greens and pine-lined fairways. This finish, which netted him $38,625, demonstrated consistent ball-striking under pressure, as he stayed competitive despite the field's depth and the tournament's historical prestige.[53] Duke trailed winner Ángel Cabrera by 12 strokes but held his position through the final rounds amid challenging conditions.[53] Another notable performance was Duke's tie for 25th at the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, where the notoriously punishing course tested endurance with its lightning-fast greens and deep bunkers.[61] He carded rounds of 74, 75, 73, and 73 for a total of 15-over-par 295, finishing ahead of several prominent contenders in a grueling setup that led to high scores across the field.[61] Winner Ángel Cabrera prevailed at 5-over-par 285, underscoring the event's brutality.[61]Senior major championship results
Summary of senior majors
Ken Duke became eligible for senior majors upon turning 50 in January 2019 and has since participated in the four recognized events: the Senior PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, Senior Players Championship, and Senior British Open. His appearances reflect a steady involvement in these championships, with a focus on contending in the U.S. Senior Open where he has achieved his strongest results. Duke's senior major play has highlighted his resilience, particularly after overcoming health challenges earlier in his career.[2] Duke's finishes in senior majors demonstrate a pattern of making cuts in key events while occasionally struggling with the cut line in others. In the U.S. Senior Open, he has been particularly competitive, posting top-30 finishes in recent years, including T22 in 2024 and T28 in 2025. Overall, his performances indicate improved consistency on the senior circuit compared to his later regular tour major outings, where cuts were harder to make. He has earned significant prize money from these events, contributing to his PGA Tour Champions total exceeding $4 million as of November 2025.[2]| Year | Tournament | Finish | To Par | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | U.S. Senior Open | MC | +10 | $0 |
| 2024 | U.S. Senior Open | T22 | -1 | $30,441 |
| 2025 | U.S. Senior Open | T28 | +5 | $25,451 |
| 2025 | Senior PGA Championship | MC | +8 | $0 |
| 2025 | Senior British Open | MC | +2 | $0 |