Tim Petrovic Bio
Tim Petrovic (born August 16, 1966) is an American professional golfer who has competed at the highest levels of the sport for more than three decades. He is best known for winning one PGA Tour event, the 2005 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and for a steady career in which he earned over $12 million in official PGA Tour money. After turning 50, he joined the PGA Tour Champions, where he has remained a consistent contender, including runner-up finishes in four senior major championships. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, Petrovic has built a reputation as a reliable ball striker and a respected presence in professional golf.
Early Life and Background
Tim Petrovic was born on August 16, 1966, in Northampton, Massachusetts, and grew up in the United States. He developed an early interest in golf and went on to play college golf for the Hartford Hawks at the University of Hartford. During his time with the Hawks, he earned a significant individual honor, being named an NCAA Division I All-American selection in 1988, the same year he completed his amateur career.
At the University of Hartford, Petrovic was a teammate of Jerry Kelly, a fellow player who would also go on to compete on the PGA Tour. That collegiate connection between the two golfers became one of the notable threads of New England golf during that era. After finishing his amateur career, Petrovic made the decision to turn professional in 1988, beginning a long and steady journey through the ranks of competitive golf.
Path to Professional Golf
After turning professional in 1988, Petrovic spent several years working his way through developmental circuits. He played on the PGA Tour’s developmental tour in 1993, 1999, and 2001, gaining valuable experience against stronger fields. His most important developmental season came in 2001 on the Buy.com Tour, where a successful campaign allowed him to earn his PGA Tour card for the 2002 season.
Earlier in his development, Petrovic had success on the Golden Bear Tour, where he was the money list winner in 2000. He recorded four professional wins on that tour, results that helped establish his reputation as a player capable of winning when given the opportunity. These developmental achievements laid the foundation for the next stage of his career at the highest level of American professional golf.
Tim Petrovic Career
Early Career (1988-2001)
Tim Petrovic turned professional in 1988 and spent more than a decade competing on various developmental tours before reaching the PGA Tour on a full-time basis. He played the PGA Tour’s developmental circuit in 1993, 1999, and 2001, sharpening his game and learning how to perform under pressure. His breakthrough on the developmental level came in 2000, when he won the Golden Bear Tour money list, collecting four victories on that tour along the way.
That developmental success set the stage for his biggest promotion. In 2001, Petrovic posted a strong season on the Buy.com Tour, which earned him his PGA Tour card for 2002. By the time he arrived on golf’s biggest stage, he had already proven he could win, and he carried that confidence into his first full seasons on the PGA Tour.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2002-2005)
Petrovic’s PGA Tour career officially began in 2002 after he earned his tour card through the Buy.com Tour the previous season. He quickly established himself as a steady player, finishing with over $1.7 million in earnings in both 2003 and 2005, an indicator of how consistently he made cuts and contended in events. His best major championship finish during this era came at the 2003 U.S. Open, where he tied for 15th place.
The defining moment of Petrovic’s PGA Tour career arrived in 2005, when he won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, his lone victory on the PGA Tour. That same year, he reached his career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 65th on May 22, 2005. The Zurich Classic win remains the cornerstone achievement of his time on the regular PGA Tour, and it confirmed the promise he had shown during his developmental years.
PGA Tour Champions Era (2016-Present)
After not being fully exempt on the regular PGA Tour for five years, Petrovic joined the PGA Tour Champions after turning 50 in 2016. He made his debut at the Boeing Classic near Seattle in August of that year, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The transition to the senior circuit allowed him to once again compete regularly at a high level.
On the PGA Tour Champions, Petrovic has produced several signature results, including runner-up finishes at the 2018 and 2021 Senior PGA Championship, the 2018 U.S. Senior Open, and the 2019 Senior Players Championship. He also finished third in the 2019 Senior British Open Championship. These performances have established him as a respected senior major contender and a steady presence on the over-50 circuit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tim Petrovic has long been recognized as a reliable ball striker with a smooth, repeatable swing. His height of 6 feet 2 inches allows him to generate comfortable power, while his experience on multiple tours has given him the course-management skills needed to navigate tricky conditions. His steady temperament and willingness to grind out scores have served him well in senior major championships, where patience and shot shaping are often decisive.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2005 Zurich Classic of New Orleans stands as Petrovic’s signature PGA Tour victory, the only win of his career at the highest level. He also reached a career-best Official World Golf Ranking of 65th in 2005. After joining the PGA Tour Champions in 2016, he added four runner-up finishes in senior majors, along with a third-place result at the 2019 Senior British Open Championship, cementing his reputation as a top senior competitor.
Tim Petrovic Career Wins
Tim Petrovic has compiled five professional wins across multiple tours. He captured one PGA Tour title at the 2005 Zurich Classic of New Orleans and added four wins on the Golden Bear Tour during his developmental years. His professional victory total reflects a long career built on steady play and the ability to win when given the opportunity.
PGA Tour Highlights
Petrovic’s PGA Tour career includes one win, the 2005 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which remains the headline achievement of his time on the regular tour. He also posted over $1.7 million in single-season earnings in both 2003 and 2005, evidence of his consistency at the top level. His career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 65th came in 2005, the same season as his lone PGA Tour victory.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his PGA Tour win, Petrovic captured four titles on the Golden Bear Tour and was the tour’s money list winner in 2000. He also recorded steady finishes on the Buy.com Tour, where his 2001 season earned him a PGA Tour card. After joining the PGA Tour Champions, he added four runner-up finishes in senior major championships and a third-place finish at the 2019 Senior British Open Championship, performances that rank among the strongest results of his senior career.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Golden Bear Tour | 4 | N/A | N/A |
Tim Petrovic Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tim Petrovic was born and raised in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he developed his early interest in golf. Public information about his parents and broader family background is limited. He is best known through his long professional career and his collegiate connection with fellow University of Hartford golfer Jerry Kelly, who went on to become a longtime PGA Tour professional.
Personal Life
Tim Petrovic is married to his wife, Julie, and the couple has two children. The family resides in Austin, Texas. After more than three decades in professional golf, Petrovic continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions, balancing his playing career with family life in Texas.
2025 Season Performance
Tim Petrovic continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions in 2025, building on a senior career that has included four runner-up finishes in senior major championships. His experience and steady ball-striking remain valuable assets on the over-50 circuit, where course management often determines outcomes. As one of the more recognizable American players on the senior tour, he remains a fixture in the field week after week.
Throughout the 2025 season, Petrovic has continued to draw on the form that produced his strong senior major finishes, including runner-up results at the 2018 and 2021 Senior PGA Championship, the 2018 U.S. Senior Open, and the 2019 Senior Players Championship. His familiarity with major championship setups keeps him in contention at the bigger events on the PGA Tour Champions schedule. Consistent play and a calm approach remain the foundation of his season.
Looking ahead, Petrovic’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 is shaped by his track record in senior majors and his longevity on professional tours. With more than $12 million in career PGA Tour earnings and a senior major résumé that includes four runner-up finishes, he remains a credible contender whenever he tees it up. His partnership with wife Julie and their life in Austin, Texas, provides a stable base as he continues his PGA Tour Champions career.