Kirk Triplett

Kirk Triplett Bio

Kirk Alan Triplett, born March 29, 1962, is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour, and the PGA Tour Champions. Across more than three decades in professional golf, he has recorded 17 verified professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour and eight on PGA Tour Champions. Standing 6 ft 3 in tall and weighing 200 lb, Triplett earned a career-best Official World Golf Ranking of 25th in June 2000. He is widely respected for his longevity, consistency, and competitive results across multiple tours.

Early Life and Background

Kirk Alan Triplett was born on March 29, 1962, in Moses Lake, Washington. He grew up on the Palouse in Pullman and graduated from Pullman High School in 1980. The region gave him early exposure to outdoor sports, and golf quickly became his primary athletic pursuit during his teenage years.

After high school, Triplett accepted a golf scholarship to the University of Nevada in Reno. He went on to earn a degree in civil engineering while continuing to develop his game. His time at Nevada helped him transition from amateur competition to the professional circuit, and it remains a key chapter in his personal and athletic development.

Path to Professional Golf

Triplett turned professional in 1985 and began his career playing on developmental circuits in Australia, Asia, and Canada. He qualified for the U.S. Open in both 1986 and 1987, though he missed the cut at both appearances. These early starts gave him valuable experience against top-level competition and sharpened his competitive focus.

In December 1989, Triplett earned his PGA Tour card at the qualifying tournament near Houston. He began his rookie season on the PGA Tour in 1990. The years that followed tested his patience, as he worked to convert opportunity into consistent finishes at the highest level of American professional golf.

Kirk Triplett Career

Early Career (1985–1999)

During his developmental years, Triplett played on tours in Australia, Asia, and Canada, building the competitive base that would prepare him for sustained PGA Tour success. His early results reflected steady improvement rather than immediate headlines.

After earning his PGA Tour card in late 1989, Triplett spent the 1990s refining his craft as a PGA Tour member. He posted several runner-up finishes, including at the 1992 Houston Open, the 1995 Buick Invitational, and the 2000 John Deere Classic. By the end of the decade, he was established as a reliable presence on tour and was ready to contend for titles.

PGA Tour Breakthrough (2000–2006)

Triplett captured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2000 Nissan Open, a breakthrough that marked his arrival as a winner at the top level. Later that same year, he was selected to the U.S. team at the Presidents Cup, where he claimed three wins and halved his singles match as the United States won 21½–10½. In June 2000, his strong form lifted him to a career-best Official World Golf Ranking of 25th.

His best results in major championships also came during this era. He tied for sixth at the Masters Tournament in both 2001 and 2004, with the 2004 Masters featuring a hole in one at the par-3 16th late in the final round, moments after Pádraig Harrington had aced the same hole. Triplett added two more PGA Tour titles at the 2003 Reno-Tahoe Open and the 2006 Chrysler Classic of Tucson, completing three career PGA Tour wins.

Nationwide Tour Return (2007–2011)

In 2009, Triplett finished outside the top 150 on the PGA Tour money list and lost his playing card. Rather than retire, he returned to competitive golf through the Nationwide Tour. In 2011, at age 49, he won the News Sentinel Open, becoming the oldest winner in Nationwide Tour history. The victory demonstrated his enduring skill and set the stage for his senior career.

PGA Tour Champions Era (2012–Present)

Triplett became eligible for PGA Tour Champions on March 29, 2012, and wasted little time finding the winner’s circle. On July 9, 2012, he won the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach in his eighth Champions Tour start, firing a final-round 66 to come from four strokes behind and beat Mark McNulty by two shots. That victory made him the sixth player to win on all three PGA Tour-sponsored tours. He successfully defended the title in 2013 for his second Champions Tour win.

Through December 2018, Triplett had posted six PGA Tour Champions victories. In March 2019, he won the Hoag Classic in Newport Beach, California, in a playoff over Woody Austin, holing an 18-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole for his seventh Champions Tour title. Later in 2019, he added an eighth Champions Tour win at the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, defeating Billy Andrade in a playoff. Across his Champions Tour career, he has compiled a playoff record of 3–1.

Notable Events and Milestones

Triplett’s career features several signature moments, including his 2000 Presidents Cup contribution, his back-to-back ties for sixth at the Masters in 2001 and 2004, and his 2011 Nationwide Tour win at age 49. His three PGA Tour titles and eight PGA Tour Champions titles highlight a career defined by patience, precision, and late-career resurgence.

Kirk Triplett Career Wins

Kirk Alan Triplett has recorded 17 verified professional wins across multiple tours. His victories span the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour), PGA Tour Champions, and other recognized circuits, reflecting a career that has endured across eras of professional golf.

PGA Tour Highlights

Triplett won three PGA Tour events during his career. His first victory came at the 2000 Nissan Open, followed by the 2003 Reno-Tahoe Open and the 2006 Chrysler Classic of Tucson. He recorded five PGA Tour runner-up finishes, including at the 1992 Houston Open and the 1995 Buick Invitational, demonstrating regular contention even in seasons without a win.

PGA Tour Champions Highlights

Triplett has won eight events on PGA Tour Champions, beginning with the 2012 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach and continuing through the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship. He won twice in playoff format during that span, including the 2019 Hoag Classic and the 2019 PURE Insurance Championship. In 2012, he was named Champions Tour Rookie of the Year in recognition of his immediate impact on the senior circuit.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his PGA Tour and Champions Tour titles, Triplett has recorded one Korn Ferry Tour win, two Canadian Tour wins, and three additional other professional wins. He has also been part owner of Hole In One International, a hole-in-one insurance company operating in conjunction with President and CEO Mark Gilmartin.

Kirk Triplett Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Triplett was raised in Pullman, Washington, after being born in Moses Lake, and credits his Pacific Northwest upbringing with shaping his approach to the game. His acceptance of a golf scholarship to the University of Nevada reflected the strong family and community support that helped him pursue a professional golf career.

Personal Life

Kirk Alan Triplett is married to Cathi Triplett, and the couple has four children. The family has made their home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Triplett has long been based while competing on professional tours. His personal life has remained largely private, with most public attention focused on his competitive record and tournament appearances.

2025 Season Outlook

As of 2025, Kirk Alan Triplett remains active on PGA Tour Champions, continuing a senior career that began in 2012 and has produced eight verified tour titles. His established playoff record of 3–1 and prior success at venues such as Pebble Beach and Newport Beach Country Club give him a strong foundation for contending in major senior events throughout the year.

Triplett’s longevity on PGA Tour Champions is rooted in steady ball-striking, course management, and the ability to perform in pressure moments, qualities highlighted by his eagle putt to win the 2019 Hoag Classic. With more than three decades of professional golf behind him, he continues to be a respected competitor on the senior circuit, and any 2025 appearances are expected to draw on his deep tournament experience.