Justin Lower Bio
Justin Lower is an American professional golfer born on April 4, 1989, in Akron, Ohio. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, he competes on the PGA Tour after earning his card through the Korn Ferry Tour. He currently resides in Uniontown, Ohio, and has built a steady career rooted in midwestern amateur and developmental circuits before reaching the top level of professional golf.
Known for a calm on-course demeanor, Lower turned professional in 2011 and steadily climbed through the developmental ranks. His rise from the NAIA collegiate circuit to the PGA Tour reflects years of consistent play on smaller tours, where he collected regional titles and posted strong finishes to earn his full Tour card.
Early Life and Background
Justin Lower was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, in the heart of northeast Ohio’s golf country. He grew up in a region with deep golf traditions, which gave him early access to a variety of courses year-round. His hometown environment, surrounded by established amateur and club golf scenes, helped him develop a competitive foundation from a young age.
Lower pursued his college education at Malone University, a private institution in Canton, Ohio, where he joined the golf program. Competing at the NAIA level allowed him to refine his game against quality competition while representing his school in national events. His time at Malone set the stage for the breakthrough amateur moment that would launch his professional trajectory.
Path to Golf
At Malone University, Lower emerged as one of the top collegiate golfers in the NAIA. In 2010, he won the NAIA individual championship, a defining achievement that confirmed his readiness for the professional ranks. That national title remains the most notable accomplishment of his amateur career and signaled to coaches and peers that he could compete at higher levels.
Following his championship season, Lower turned professional in 2011. He initially competed in regional and state-level events, building experience against established professionals. By 2014, he had earned a spot on the Web.com Tour, the primary developmental circuit that later became the Korn Ferry Tour, marking his official entry into the pipeline that feeds the PGA Tour.
Justin Lower Career
Early Career (2011–2013)
After turning professional in 2011, Lower spent his first three seasons competing primarily in Ohio and surrounding regional events. He quickly found success at the state level, winning the Ohio Open in 2012. That victory, against a field that included established club professionals and mini-tour players, established him as a rising talent within the midwestern golf scene.
During this early stretch, Lower balanced tournament play with the daily demands of developing a professional game. He used the Ohio Open win as a springboard, gaining confidence and visibility that helped him secure starts on the Web.com Tour the following year. His steady progression through these developmental circuits laid a foundation for the larger challenges ahead.
Korn Ferry Tour Breakthrough (2014–2021)
Lower began playing on the Web.com Tour, now known as the Korn Ferry Tour, in 2014. The developmental circuit gave him a consistent schedule against golfers pursuing the same dream of reaching the PGA Tour. He learned to manage travel, course variety, and the pressure of week-to-week competition while posting solid finishes.
In 2015, Lower added a second Ohio Open title to his resume, reinforcing his regional dominance. A few years later, in 2021, he won the pro-am division of the Korn Ferry BMW Charity Pro-Am alongside playing partner Doug Walker, a lighter but still notable result on the developmental calendar.
The defining moment of his Korn Ferry Tour career came at the end of the 2021 season. Lower secured his PGA Tour card for the 2021–22 season on the very last hole of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The clutch finish capped a long climb through the developmental ranks and confirmed his place among the next generation of PGA Tour players.
PGA Tour Era (2021–Present)
Since earning his PGA Tour card, Lower has competed full-time at the highest level of professional golf. His official world ranking has steadily improved, reaching a career-best 74th on January 19, 2025, reflecting consistent play across a demanding schedule. He has continued to post made cuts and earn valuable FedExCup points while adjusting to the depth of competition on Tour.
Lower has also begun testing himself in major championships. In 2024, he finished tied for 50th at the U.S. Open, his first made cut in a major. He followed that with a tied for 60th finish at the 2025 PGA Championship, showing that he can compete on the sport’s biggest stages. He has not yet appeared in the Masters Tournament or The Open Championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lower’s career has been defined by steady milestones rather than singular flashpoints. The 2010 NAIA championship announced his arrival, the Ohio Open victories in 2012 and 2015 cemented his regional reputation, and the last-hole finish at the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Championship earned him PGA Tour status. His major championship appearances at the 2024 U.S. Open and 2025 PGA Championship mark his growing presence on the game’s largest stages.
Justin Lower Career Wins
Justin Lower has accumulated two professional wins during his career, both captured at the Ohio Open in 2012 and 2015. These regional titles, combined with consistent play on the Korn Ferry Tour, formed the backbone of his path to the PGA Tour. While he has not yet recorded a victory at the PGA Tour level, his career-best ranking of 74th in January 2025 reflects an upward trajectory and a game trending toward contention.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
Across his Korn Ferry Tour career, Lower recorded multiple strong finishes that ultimately positioned him for PGA Tour membership. His most significant Korn Ferry moment came in 2021, when he earned his PGA Tour card on the final hole of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. He also posted a pro-am victory at the 2021 BMW Charity Pro-Am with Doug Walker.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of the Korn Ferry Tour, Lower has enjoyed particular success at the Ohio Open, winning the event in both 2012 and 2015. These state-level victories against established regional professionals highlighted his consistency and course-management skills early in his career.
Justin Lower Family
Personal Life
Justin Lower resides in Uniontown, Ohio, where he maintains his home base while traveling the PGA Tour schedule. He keeps his personal and family life largely private, with limited public details available about his immediate relatives or relationships. His Ohio roots, both in Akron and Uniontown, remain a central part of his identity as a professional golfer.
2025 Season Performance
Lower entered the 2025 PGA Tour season having reached a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 74th in January 2025, a marker of his steady improvement. The season has represented another step forward in his development as a full-time Tour player, with consistent made cuts and valuable FedExCup points accumulated across the schedule.
A notable highlight of the 2025 season came at the PGA Championship, where Lower finished tied for 60th. It marked his second made cut in a major championship, following his tied for 50th finish at the 2024 U.S. Open. These major appearances demonstrate his growing comfort on the sport’s largest venues and against its deepest fields.
Looking ahead, Lower continues to build momentum within the PGA Tour ranks. With several more seasons of eligibility ahead and his game trending upward, he remains focused on contending for his first PGA Tour victory and qualifying for additional major championships. His combination of regional titles, Korn Ferry success, and improving Tour form provides a strong foundation for the years to come.