Clinching his maiden PGA TOUR title at the Valero Texas Open, Andrew Landry edged Trey Mullinax in a dramatic finish on Sunday (April 22). With a four-under-par final round, shooting a Sunday 68, Landry balanced his ball-striking skill with excellent short game to shoot a total of -17.
The 30-year-old Texan has been playing some fine golf this year. Indeed, most of those who watched the Valero Texan Open thought Landry would get his first PGA TOUR win.
It was fitting a Texas native claimed his first major title on home turf. But who is the first-time PGA TOUR title winner and what was his rise to success?
A promising young talent
Born in 1987 in Port Neches-Groves, Texas, Landry showed early signs of sporting precocity. He played golf at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was a three-time All-American and won one individual title.
Upon his graduation in 2009, he turned professional. The young talent played on mini-tours, including the Adams Pro Tour where he won twice.
Career highlights
Since going pro, Landry has earned over two million dollars and enjoyed six top-ten finishes in PGA TOUR events. Currently ranked 120th in the world, he boasts a scoring average of 70.
In 2015, Landry received his Web.com Tour card after finishing runner-up in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament. He won the third event of the year at the Cartagena de Indias at Karibana Championship.
Landry made his PGA TOUR debut as a Monday qualifier at the Shell Houston Open in April 2015, where he missed the cut with rounds of 76-73. This was the only event he played on the 2015 PGA TOUR.
The golfing star qualified for his first major, the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, through qualifying in Durham, North Carolina and sectional qualifying in Memphis Tennessee.
In the first round, which was hampered by weather delays, Landry, ranked 624th in the world at the time, shot a 4-under-par 66 to lead the championship by one stroke. His round of 66 was the best-ever opening round in a U.S. Open hosted at Oakmont.
Landry sustained the same trajectory with a second round of 71, which placed him in the final group for round three, one stroke behind Dustin Johnson. His run of fine play continued with a 70 in the third round to get into the final group on Sunday, four shots back of Shane Lowry, Landry fell away in the final round, though, shooting an 8-over-par to finish T15 in his first major.
Personal facts
On the official PGA TOUR website, Andrew Landry says if he wasn’t a professional golfer he would be a fishing guide. He reveals his favorite food is crayfish and oysters, and that his favorite professional teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves.
While fishing in Dallas, Landry met George W. Bush, who he says is the most famous person he has encountered. Landry claims he once shot 58 at his home course nine-hole ‘Pea Patch’ in Groves, Texas (since closed down), which played about 6,300 yards. Landry’s special interests and hobbies comprise fishing, hiking and ‘anything outdoors.’
See also: USGA Launches U.S. Open Trophy Tour