Chez Reavie Bio
William Chesney Reavie, known professionally as Chez Reavie, is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. Born on November 12, 1981, in Wichita, Kansas, Reavie has carved out a steady career highlighted by multiple tour victories and a memorable resurgence after years of injury setbacks. A former college standout at Arizona State University, he turned professional in 2004 and has continued to compete at the top level of the game for more than two decades. Standing five feet nine inches tall and weighing around 160 pounds, Reavie is recognized for his precise ball-striking and calm temperament under pressure.
Reavie’s career has been defined by resilience, including recoveries from knee and wrist surgeries that threatened to sideline him permanently. His breakthrough victory at the 2008 RBC Canadian Open announced his arrival on the PGA Tour, while his win at the 2019 Travelers Championship ended an eleven-year drought and marked the high point of his career to date. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, he remains an active and respected presence on tour.
Early Life and Background
William Chesney Reavie was born on November 12, 1981, in Wichita, Kansas. He later moved with his family to the warmer climate of Arizona, where he attended Dobson High School in Mesa. Growing up in the Sun State gave him year-round access to golf courses and helped shape his early interest in the sport.
At Dobson High School, Reavie developed into one of the more promising junior golfers in the region, competing in amateur events throughout the Southwest. His consistency and competitive drive attracted the attention of college recruiters, paving the way for his move to the Arizona State University program.
Reavie played college golf at Arizona State University, one of the most respected programs in collegiate golf. His time with the Sun Devils allowed him to refine his swing, build tournament experience, and prepare for the demands of professional competition. After a successful amateur career, he made the decision to turn professional in 2004.
Path to Professional Golf
After turning professional in 2004, Reavie began his journey on the developmental circuits. He played on the Nationwide Tour from 2005 through 2007, the secondary tour that fed directly into the PGA Tour at the time. In 2007, he captured his first professional victory at the Knoxville Open, a performance that signaled his readiness for the highest level.
That same season, Reavie finished eighteenth on the Nationwide Tour money list, earning his PGA Tour card for the following year. His smooth transition through the developmental ranks reflected both his talent and his ability to handle the pressures of professional golf.
Chez Reavie Career
Early Career (2004-2007)
Reavie’s early professional years were spent primarily on the Nationwide Tour, where he sharpened his competitive skills. His 2007 Knoxville Open win served as the springboard for his promotion to the PGA Tour.
During these formative seasons, Reavie built a reputation for steady ball-striking and the kind of patience required to navigate the long developmental paths of professional golf. His successful qualification through the Nationwide Tour money list reflected consistency and a clear upward trajectory.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2008-2011)
Reavie’s rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2008 quickly turned into a breakthrough year. On July 27, 2008, he won the RBC Canadian Open, his maiden PGA Tour title. The victory earned him $900,000 and a two-year exemption on tour, cementing his status as a rising American player.
The following years brought challenges, including knee surgery in 2010 that limited his playing time. Beginning the 2011 season on a major medical extension, Reavie needed thirteen events to keep his Tour Card. Despite the obstacles, he made fifteen cuts in twenty-two starts and earned over one million dollars before the FedEx Cup playoffs, securing his 2012 Tour Card. He finished tenth in the 2011 FedEx Cup standings and thirty-fourth on the money list with $2,285,067 in earnings, ending the year ranked sixty-seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking after starting the previous year at 762nd.
Comeback and Travelers Championship (2015-2019)
After a difficult 2012 season in which he finished 135th on the money list, Reavie returned to qualifying school and earned his PGA Tour card through the traditional Q School route, becoming the last former PGA Tour winner to do so in that manner. Left wrist surgery then kept him out for the entire 2013-14 season, and he was granted a medical extension to begin his comeback.
In 2015, Reavie won the Small Business Connection Championship on the Web.com Tour, his first victory in seven years. He finished atop the Web.com Tour Finals money list, earning full exemption for the 2015-16 season. In January 2018, he lost in a sudden-death playoff at the Waste Management Phoenix Open to Gary Woodland, then finished as runner-up the following week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. On June 16, 2019, Reavie tied for third at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, his first top-ten finish in a major championship.
One week later, on June 23, 2019, Reavie captured the Travelers Championship for his second PGA Tour victory. Carrying a six-stroke 54-hole lead, he held off Keegan Bradley to win by four strokes, ending an eleven-year winless drought. The performance moved him to twenty-sixth in the Official World Golf Ranking, the highest position of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Reavie’s most memorable moments are his 2008 RBC Canadian Open win, his 2011 Deutsche Bank Championship playoff loss to Webb Simpson, and his 2019 Travelers Championship victory. His tie for third at the 2019 U.S. Open stands as his best major championship result.
Chez Reavie Career Wins
Chez Reavie has accumulated six professional wins across multiple tours, including three on the PGA Tour, one co-sanctioned European Tour victory, two Korn Ferry Tour wins, and one Gateway Tour victory. His win total reflects a career built on steady play and timely performances in key moments.
PGA Tour Highlights
Reavie has recorded three PGA Tour victories, beginning with the 2008 RBC Canadian Open and continuing with the 2019 Travelers Championship. A third win came via co-sanctioned events tied to the European Tour. Despite a playoff record of 0-2 on the PGA Tour, including losses at the 2011 Deutsche Bank Championship and the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open, Reavie has consistently positioned himself in contention.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his PGA Tour success, Reavie has won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour and once on the Gateway Tour. His 2015 Small Business Connection Championship victory on the Korn Ferry Tour Finals was particularly meaningful, as it secured his return to the PGA Tour and earned him the Finals money list title.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 3 | — | — |
| European Tour | 1 | — | — |
| Korn Ferry Tour | 2 | — | — |
| Gateway Tour | 1 | — | — |
Chez Reavie Family
Personal Life
Chez Reavie resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he has established his home base for much of his professional career. Details about his immediate family remain largely private, consistent with his preference for keeping his personal life outside the public spotlight.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Chez Reavie continued his long-standing presence on the PGA Tour, drawing on the experience gained from more than two decades as a professional. His career-best world ranking of twenty-sixth, achieved after his 2019 Travelers Championship win, remains a benchmark he has worked to revisit through consistent play.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Reavie has remained a steady competitor, leaning on the precision and course management that have defined his career. While major championship contention has remained a focal point, his best major result continues to be his tie for third at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. His continued exempt status on tour reflects the durability that has carried him through injuries and comebacks alike.
Looking ahead, Reavie’s outlook remains anchored in steady preparation and tournament-by-tournament focus. With a career that has already weathered major surgeries and lengthy droughts, his 2025 season represents another chapter in a quietly resilient PGA Tour journey.