Fred Funk

Frederick Funk (born June 14, 1956) is an American professional golfer. He currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions. He previously played on the PGA Tour, where he was an eight-time winner. Funk's signature win came at The Players Championship in 2005.

Early life Funk was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. He tried several sports, and even boxed for eight years for a junior boys club. He played on the golf team at High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland.

Amateur career Funk went to the University of Maryland (UM) but was cut from the golf team in 1975. He transferred to Prince George's Community College and then returned to UM two years later to earn a top spot with the Terrapins golf team. At the time he also held a job as a circulation supervisor for the Washington Star. Funk finally became a member of the PGA Tour in 1989, playing in 29 official tournaments. He earned his biggest paycheck with $12,500 in a tie for ninth in the Chattanooga Classic.

In 2005, Funk scored his biggest PGA Tour win when he captured The Players Championship, also becoming its oldest winner at 48 years, 9 months, 14 days by defeating Tom Lehman, Scott Verplank and Luke Donald by a stroke. He earned $1.44 million for the win. Later that year, on June 8, 2009, he became the oldest qualifier, at age 53, for the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black by shooting 139 over 36 holes at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, surviving a playoff. In August 2009, Funk won his second major championship on the Champions Tour at the 2009 U.S. Senior Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. Funk dominated the rest of the field and cruised to a six-stroke victory over Joey Sindelar.

With his third senior major victory at the 2010 Jeld-Wen Tradition, he became the first player to win a PGA Tour-sanctioned event after knee-replacement surgery. TaylorMade for its clubs, Titleist golf balls, and Stryker Orthopaedics.

As of the 2013–14 season at age 57, Funk still played in several PGA Tour events a year while devoting most of his time to the Champions Tour.

At the end of the 2013 season, Funk ranked 38th in career PGA Tour earnings with just over $21 million in earnings. He ranked 23rd in all-time Champions Tour earnings with over $9.1 million.

Personal life In the 1980s, Funk got married for the first time. He has a son, Eric Justin, born in 1991. He was divorced in 1992.

In 1994, Funk married Sharon (née Archer), the daughter of Texan congressman Bill Archer. They have two children. Their son, Taylor Christian, played golf for Ponte Vedra High School and won the Florida 2A state championship. Taylor turned professional in 2017.

Awards and honors Funk was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. 1987 Maryland Open, Middle Atlantic PGA Championship 1988 Middle Atlantic PGA Championship 1989 Middle Atlantic PGA Championship 1993 Mexican Open 2005 Merrill Lynch Skins Game (unofficial money event-PGA Tour), CVS Charity Classic (with Chris DiMarco)

PGA Tour Champions wins (9) LegendChampions Tour major championships (3)Other Champions Tour (6)

Champions Tour playoff record (0–3)

Results in major championships

WD = withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 5 (1993 U.S. Open – 1994 PGA) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (five times)

The Players Championship Wins (1) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunners-up 2005 The Players Championship 4 shot deficit −9 (65-72-71-71=279) 1 stroke Luke Donald, Tom Lehman, Scott Verplank

Results timeline

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place.

Results in World Golf Championships 1Cancelled due to 9/11

QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play "T" = Tied NT = No tournament

Senior major championships Wins (3) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up 2008 JELD-WEN Tradition −19 (69-66-65-69=269) 3 strokes Mike Goodes 2009 U.S. Senior Open −20 (68-67-68-66=268) 6 strokes Joey Sindelar 2010 JELD-WEN Tradition (2) −12 (68-69-70-69=276) 1 stroke Michael Allen, Lu Chien-soon

Results timeline Results not in chronological order before 2022.

CUT = missed the half-way cut WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place NT = no tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 2004 Presidents Cup: 2003 (tie), 2005 (winners) UBS Cup: 2002 (winners), 2004 (winners) Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing Champions Tour): 2007, 2008 (winners), 2009, 2012, 2013