Matt McCarty Bio
Matt McCarty, born on December 11, 1997, in Scottsdale, Arizona, is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. A left-handed player standing 6 feet tall, McCarty turned professional in 2021 and worked his way up through the Forme Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour before reaching the top level of American golf. In 2024, he became the 13th player to earn a three-win promotion to the PGA Tour and won his first PGA Tour title later that same season.
McCarty graduated from Santa Clara University, where he earned three All-West Coast Conference honors and competed in amateur events including the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball. His rapid rise through the development tours made him one of the most talked-about rookies in professional golf, and he continues to represent the United States on the game’s biggest stages.
Early Life and Background
Matt McCarty was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, a city with a deep golfing culture and a strong community of competitive players. Growing up in this environment gave him early access to high-quality courses and competitive junior tournaments, which helped shape his development as a left-handed golfer.
McCarty attended Santa Clara University between 2016 and 2021, where he majored first in finance and later completed a graduate degree in marketing. During his collegiate career, he earned three All-West Coast Conference honors, establishing himself as one of the top amateur players in the West Coast Conference. At the 2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, McCarty and his teammate Derek Ackerman shot a 13-under-par 128 in stroke play, the best in the field, and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Path to Professional Golf
After completing his time at Santa Clara, McCarty turned professional in 2021 and began his career on the Forme Tour, a developmental circuit in the United States. His best finish during this period was a T5, and he also won the Wyoming State Open, providing an early signal of his competitive ability.
In 2022, McCarty advanced to the Korn Ferry Tour, the official development tour of the PGA Tour. Over his first two seasons, he posted a T5 at the 2022 Chitimacha Louisiana Open and a T3 at the 2023 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic. In 2024, he broke through with three victories in a six-week span, securing his PGA Tour card and becoming the 13th player in Korn Ferry Tour history to earn a three-win promotion. He also locked up the number one spot on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points list with one event remaining and was named Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year.
Matt McCarty Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
McCarty began his professional journey on the Forme Tour in 2021, where he developed his competitive routine and adjusted to the demands of professional golf. His best result during this time was a T5, and he earned a notable victory at the Wyoming State Open, giving him confidence heading into the higher level of competition.
Moving to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022, McCarty continued to gain experience against stronger fields. He recorded a T5 finish at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open, demonstrating that he could compete near the top of the leaderboard on a consistent basis.
Korn Ferry Tour Breakthrough (2023–2024)
McCarty’s momentum on the Korn Ferry Tour built steadily through 2023, when he posted a T3 at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic. That result foreshadowed the breakout that would come the following year.
During the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season, McCarty won three times in a six-week span, a remarkable run that secured his PGA Tour card. He also clinched the number one spot on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points list with one event left, earning full exemption for the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025. The performance came with additional benefits, including exemptions into the 2025 Players Championship and the 2025 U.S. Open, along with Player of the Year honors.
PGA Tour Era (2024–Present)
McCarty made an immediate impact upon arriving on the PGA Tour. Later in 2024, he won the Black Desert Championship, finishing at 23-under 261. It was only his third career PGA Tour event and his second as a Tour member, following his appearance at the 2022 U.S. Open.
The victory made McCarty the second player, and the first since Jason Gore in 2005, to earn a three-win promotion and a PGA Tour win in the same season. The win extended his exemption through 2026 and earned him entry into the 2025 Sentry, the 2025 Masters Tournament, and the 2025 PGA Championship. The result also moved him into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, and he reached a career-high ranking of 34 on January 25, 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
McCarty’s victory at the 2024 Black Desert Championship stands as his signature event to date, with his 23-under total marking one of the lowest winning scores in recent PGA Tour history. His three-win promotion on the Korn Ferry Tour and his rapid ascent into the top 50 of the world rankings represent the most significant milestones of his early professional career.
Matt McCarty Career Wins
Matt McCarty has accumulated five professional wins across multiple tours. His victory total includes one PGA Tour title, three Korn Ferry Tour victories, and one additional win on a developmental circuit, reflecting steady success at every level of professional golf.
PGA Tour Highlights
McCarty’s lone PGA Tour victory came at the 2024 Black Desert Championship, where he finished at 23-under 261. The win came early in his rookie season and established him as a rising presence on Tour.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
During the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season, McCarty won three events in a six-week span, the streak that earned him his PGA Tour card. He finished the year atop the Korn Ferry Tour points list and was named Player of the Year.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in his professional career, McCarty won the Wyoming State Open, a notable non-Tour victory during his time on the Forme Tour. He also posted a T5 finish on the Forme Tour and additional top finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour, including a T5 at the 2022 Chitimacha Louisiana Open and a T3 at the 2023 Bahamas Great Abaco Classic.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 1 | — | — |
| Korn Ferry Tour | 3 | — | — |
| Other Tours | 1 | — | — |
Matt McCarty Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matt McCarty was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, a community with a strong tradition of competitive golf. Details about his parents and family background are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
McCarty continues to reside in Scottsdale, Arizona, the city where he was born and raised. He has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Matt McCarty’s 2025 PGA Tour season was defined by his rookie campaign following the 2024 Black Desert Championship win. He earned entry into several marquee events, including the Sentry, the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the Players Championship, and the U.S. Open, providing opportunities to compete against the game’s top players.
At the 2025 Masters Tournament, McCarty recorded a T14 finish, his strongest performance in a major championship to that point. He also made the cut at The Open Championship, while missing the cut at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. His major championship debut showed he could compete at the highest level, even when results varied across events.
Reaching a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 34 on January 25, 2026, McCarty cemented his status as a rising presence in professional golf. With his exemption extended through 2026 and continued opportunities in major championships, his 2025 season laid the foundation for further growth on the PGA Tour.
