Fred Funk

Last updated

Fred Funk
Fred Funk Portrait 2006.jpg
Funk in 2006
Personal information
Full nameFrederick Funk
Born (1956-06-14) June 14, 1956 (age 68)
Takoma Park, Maryland, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Residence Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, U.S.
SpouseSharon
Children3
Career
College University of Maryland
Turned professional1981
Current tour(s) PGA Tour Champions (joined 2006)
Former tour(s) PGA Tour (joined 1989)
Professional wins29
Highest ranking 21 (June 22, 2003) [1]
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour8
PGA Tour Champions9
Other12
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament T17: 1997
PGA Championship T4: 2002
U.S. Open 6th: 2004
The Open Championship T66: 2006

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.

Contents

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. [2]

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. [3] At the time he also held a job as a circulation supervisor for the Washington Star . [2] He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1980 with a degree in law enforcement.

Professional career

In 1981, Funk turned professional. He worked as the golf coach for University of Maryland from 1982 to 1988. [3]

After playing in a few PGA Tour events for several years beginning in 1982 but with little success, [4] 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. [4]

In 1990, he struggled with consistency, missing the cut in nearly half the tournaments he entered. However, there were some bright spots, including a T-3 to earn $34,800 in the Chattanooga Classic as well as a fifth-place finish in the Buick Open to pocket $40,000. [4] In 1991, he had slightly more success, with top-10 finishes in five tournaments. [4]

Funk broke through in 1992 with his most successful year to date, including his first PGA Tour win. In May, he captured the Shell Houston Open with a 16-under score for a two-stroke win over Kirk Triplett and winnings of $216,000. [4]

In 1995, he won his second PGA Tour tournament with a score of 16-under at the 1995 Ideon Classic at Pleasant Valley, for which he earned $180,000. He followed that up with a win just two months later at the Buick Challenge, with another 16-under for $180,000. [4]

Funk was a member of the United States teams at the 2003 and 2005 Presidents Cup and the 2004 Ryder Cup. He received some criticism in 2004 for opting out of The Open Championship, one of the tour's four major tournaments, despite having qualified. He played instead in that week's B.C. Open, a much less prestigious event, but one which also offered Ryder Cup ranking points. [5]

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. [6] He earned $1.44 million for the win. [6]

Senior career

Since turning 50 in June 2006, Funk has been eligible for Champions Tour events and debuted in the 2006 U.S. Senior Open. When he turned 50, he still featured in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

He won a further PGA Tour tournament, his eighth career win, in 2007 after his senior debut, becoming only the second over-50 player to win on the PGA Tour in 31 years. That win came at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun. By winning Funk became the first man to win a PGA Tour event held in Mexico and, at age 50 years, 8 months and 12 days, became the fifth-oldest champion in PGA Tour history and the oldest since Art Wall Jr. (51 years, 7 months, 10 days) at the 1975 Greater Milwaukee Open. [6]

In August 2008, Funk won his first senior major, the JELD-WEN Tradition.

After years of chronic knee pain, Funk underwent a total knee replacement in 2009. [7] 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. [8]

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. [7]

A popular player on tour, his fans are referred to as "Funk's Punks." The iconic songs — Play That Funky Music and Give Up the Funk — have become theme songs for the fan favorite.

Funk has publicly endorsed a number of products including clubs, greens, and golf balls. He maintains professional relationships with Southwest Greens, [9] TaylorMade for its clubs, [10] Titleist golf balls, [11] and Stryker Orthopaedics. [12]

As of the 2013–14 season at age 57, Funk currently still plays in several PGA Tour events a year while devoting most of his time to the Champions Tour. [13]

At the end of the 2013 season, Funk ranked 38th in career PGA Tour earnings with just over $21 million in earnings. [14] He ranked 23rd in all-time Champions Tour earnings with over $9.1 million. [15]

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. [16] [17]

In 1994, Funk married Sharon (nee Archer), the daughter of Texan congressman Bill Archer. [18] 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

Professional wins (29)

PGA Tour wins (8)

Legend
Players Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (7)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1May 3, 1992 Shell Houston Open −16 (68-72-62-70=272)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kirk Triplett
2Jul 30, 1995 Ideon Classic at Pleasant Valley −16 (66-63-66-73=268)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Jim McGovern
3Oct 1, 1995 Buick Challenge −16 (69-67-69-67=272)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg John Morse, Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts
4Sep 22, 1996 B.C. Open −16 (68-66-63=197)*Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Pete Jordan
5Jul 19, 1998 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic −18 (69-64-69-68=270)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Paul Goydos, Flag of the United States.svg Franklin Langham,
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Loustalot
6Oct 3, 2004 Southern Farm Bureau Classic (2)−22 (69-67-64-66=266)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Palmer
7Mar 28, 2005 The Players Championship −9 (65-72-71-71=279)1 stroke Flag of England.svg Luke Donald, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman,
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Verplank
8Feb 25, 2007 Mayakoba Golf Classic −14 (62-69-64-71=266)Playoff Flag of Argentina.svg José Cóceres

*Note: The 1996 B.C. Open was shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

PGA Tour playoff record (2–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1996 B.C. Open Flag of the United States.svg Pete Jordan Won with birdie on first extra hole
21996 Buick Challenge Flag of the United States.svg Michael Bradley, Flag of the United States.svg Davis Love III,
Flag of the United States.svg John Maginnes, Flag of the United States.svg Len Mattiace
Bradley won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1998 Buick Challenge Flag of Australia (converted).svg Steve Elkington Lost to par on first extra hole
4 1999 B.C. Open Flag of the United States.svg Brad Faxon Lost to par on second extra hole
5 2007 Mayakoba Golf Classic Flag of Argentina.svg José Cóceres Won with birdie on second extra hole

Other wins (12)

PGA Tour Champions wins (9)

Legend
Champions Tour major championships (3)
Other Champions Tour (6)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Oct 22, 2006 AT&T Championship −12 (65-67-69=201)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck
2Jan 28, 2007 Turtle Bay Championship −23 (65-64-64=193)11 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tom Kite, Flag of Japan.svg Kiyoshi Murota,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Purtzer, Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts,
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Denis Watson
3Jan 20, 2008 MasterCard Championship −21 (67-63-65=195)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle
4Aug 17, 2008 JELD-WEN Tradition −19 (69-66-65-69=269)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mike Goodes
5Aug 2, 2009 U.S. Senior Open −20 (68-67-68-66=268)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Joey Sindelar
6Aug 2, 2010 JELD-WEN Tradition (2)−12 (68-69-70-69=276)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Michael Allen, Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lu Chien-soon
7May 6, 2012 Insperity Championship −14 (66-69-67=202)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman
8Oct 14, 2012 Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn −15 (66-66-69=201)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Duffy Waldorf
9Jun 8, 2014 Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf
(with Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Sluman)
−20 (61-50-48=159)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas and Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen

Champions Tour playoff record (0–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 2009 Principal Charity Classic Flag of Ireland.svg Mark McNulty, Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price McNulty won with birdie on fourth extra hole
Price eliminated by birdie on second hole
22009 The Senior Open Championship Flag of Ireland.svg Mark McNulty, Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts Roberts won with par on third extra hole
Funk eliminated by birdie on first hole
3 2010 Posco E&C Songdo Championship Flag of the United States.svg Russ Cochran Lost to birdie on first extra hole

Results in major championships

Tournament19851986198719881989
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open T23CUTCUTCUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship T47
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament CUTT38T36T17CUTCUT
U.S. Open CUTT33T7T44CUTCUTT43CUT
The Open Championship 73WD
PGA Championship T57CUTT44T55T39T26T61T2373
Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Masters Tournament T37CUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. Open CUTT44T356T23T40T3060
The Open Championship CUTCUTCUTT66
PGA Championship T9T70T4T7CUTT47T20CUT
Tournament20102011
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open T70CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship
  Top 10
  Did not play

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

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 000001124
U.S. Open 0000242213
The Open Championship 00000062
PGA Championship 0001351815
Totals00015105834

The Players Championship

Wins (1)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunners-up
2005 The Players Championship 4 shot deficit−9 (65-72-71-71=279)1 stroke Flag of England.svg Luke Donald, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman,
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Verplank

Results timeline

Tournament199119921993199419951996199719981999
The Players Championship CUTT60T39T78T61T13T14T69T38
Tournament20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010
The Players Championship T13T33CUTT45T101T16CUTCUTT79T39
  Win
  Top 10

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

Results in World Golf Championships

Tournament199920002001200220032004200520062007
Match Play R64R64R64R64R64R64R64
Championship T7NT1T49T40T29
Invitational T2T14T61T41T42T69

1Cancelled due to 9/11

  Top 10
  Did not play

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 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Goodes
2009 U.S. Senior Open −20 (68-67-68-66=268)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Joey Sindelar
2010 JELD-WEN Tradition (2)−12 (68-69-70-69=276)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Michael Allen, Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lu Chien-soon

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order before 2022.

Tournament2006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
The Tradition 111T51T18T9T12T16T932T442T53NTT48WDT71
Senior PGA Championship T5T23T39CUTT13T39CUTT44T3876CUTNTT57T72
U.S. Senior Open T1121T43T50T22T33T20WDCUTCUTNTCUTCUTCUTCUT
Senior Players Championship T11T32T7T16T9T18T65T39T49T6WDWD70T7175
Senior British Open Championship T2T3T7T57T69T29T34CUTCUTT46NTCUT
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

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

See also

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References

  1. "Week 25 2003 Ending 22 Jun 2003" (pdf). OWGR . Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  2. 1 2 McMullen, Paul (June 5, 1997). "Funk, now in the money, strives to be on the money Former Terps coach seeks major impact". The Baltimore Sun .
  3. 1 2 "Fred Funk – Overview". PGA Tour. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Fred Funk – Career". PGA Tour. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  5. Harig, Bob (August 10, 2004). "Ryder Cup takes all of Funk's focus". St. Petersburg Times .
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fred Funk – Profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Healey, Katy (July 10, 2013). "Fred Funk playing with fake knee at U.S. Senior Open". Omaha World-Herald . Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  8. "Funk makes history on way to U.S. Senior Open triumph". USA Today . Associated Press. August 2, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  9. "Fred Funk PGA Pro Endorses Southwest Greens". Southwest Greens. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  10. "TaylorMade-adidas Golf Tour Staff Professionals Fred Funk and Peter Hanson Claim Victories". Golfers Magazine. August 18, 2008. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  11. "Titleist.com Press Releases". Titleist. March 29, 2005. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  12. "Real Patients - Real Stories: Fred Funk". Stryker Corporation. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  13. Martin, Sean (September 18, 2013). "Funk, 57, to play PGA Tour in 2013-14". PGA Tour.
  14. "PGA Tour – Career Money Leaders". PGA Tour. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  15. "Champions Tour – Career Money Leaders". PGA Tour. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  16. "Fred Funk". Icon Sports Management. Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  17. Klein, Danny (May 12, 2013). "Sharon the secret to Funk's success over the years". The St. Augustine Record .
  18. Campbell, Steve (October 13, 2007). "PGA golfer Funk enjoys ties that bind in Houston". Houston Chronicle .