David Whelan (golfer)

David Whelan (born 28 August 1961) is an English golf instructor and former professional golfer on the European Tour.

David Whelan
Personal information
Born (1961-08-28) 28 August 1961
Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England
Nationality England
Career
Turned professional1981
Former tour(s)European Tour
Professional wins1
Number of wins by tour
European Tour1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenDNP
The Open Championship58th: 1985

Whelan was born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, according to his profile on the European Tour website.[1] He became a professional in 1981 and gained playing privileges on the European Tour in 1987, having been unsuccessful in five previous attempts. During his first year on tour, 1988,[2] he needed a £500 loan from his parents to participate in the Barcelona Open, which he received. Whelan won the tournament by defeating three players in a playoff, including Nick Faldo.[3] In his career, he played in The Open Championship five times, with three made cuts.[4]

During his playing career, Whelan received coaching from David Leadbetter, who became a mentor for him when he went into golf instruction. In 1993, he was hired by the David Leadbetter Golf Academy as European director of instruction. Ten years later, he relocated to Bradenton, Florida in the United States to work at Leadbetter's academy there.[5] When then-director Gary Gilchrist left the academy in 2004, Whelan, his assistant at the time, was promoted to director.[6] Among the players Whelan has taught are LPGA major champions Paula Creamer and Catriona Matthew, PGA Tour player Hunter Mahan, 2010 U.S. Amateur winner Peter Uihlein,[5][7] and LPGA Tour players Jessica and Nelly Korda.[8]

Professional wins (1)

European Tour wins (1)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runners-up
1 20 Mar 1988 Torras Hostench Barcelona Open −12 (68-65-74-69=276) Playoff Nick Faldo, Barry Lane,
Mark Mouland

European Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
1 1988 Torras Hostench Barcelona Open Nick Faldo, Barry Lane,
Mark Mouland		 Won with par on fourth extra hole
Faldo and Mouland eliminated by birdie on first hole

References
  1. "David Whelan: Biography". European Tour. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  2. "Novice Whelan upstages Faldo". The Glasgow Herald. 19 March 1988. p. 20. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  3. "Rags-to-riches win for Whelan after four-hole play-off". The Glasgow Herald. 21 March 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  4. "David Whelan in the British Open". golfobserver.com. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  5. Mell, Randall (16 September 2010). "Quite the Stable". Golf Channel. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  6. Cardon, Mark (15 July 2004). "Whelan takes rein at Leadbetter". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 6C. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  7. Lewis, Chris (14 July 2004). "The next Justin Leonard?". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 23 August 2004. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  8. Rogers, Amy (22 January 2021). "Nelly Korda returns to longtime instructor, just two back at Diamond Resorts". Golf Channel. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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