Player Profiles
Kevin KISNER (USA)
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Born: 15 February 1984
Birthplace: Aiken, South Carolina, USA College: University of Georgia Resides: Aiken, South Carolina, USA Major Wins: 0 Euro or PGA Tour Wins : 3 Other Wins: 2 Grass Preference: Bermuda Significant Life Events: No GBC Wind Performance Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ GBC Pressure Rating: ⭐⭐ |
Profile
Kevin is now a seasoned veteran on the PGA Tour having won multiple times and notched his first WGC title in 2019 at the WGC Matchplay event. Kevin is definitely a character and is often forthright when asked a question. Look out for Kevin making statements on his social media or in interview to get an insight into his recent thoughts. As an example, he was asked last year whether he had an chance at the Majors and bluntly replied he had "no chance!"
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
He "loves Colonial, Harbour Town and the Travelers," watch out for him at those events.
Kevin is friends with fellow PGA Tour pro Scott Brown so it it a comfortable game for him if they are paired together.
Stats Analysis
Short Game - Kevin is a strong putter, ranking inside the top 30 the past 3 seasons for strokes gained putting.
Long Game - He is a short hitter who makes up for his lack of length off the tee by being extremely accurate, ranking inside the top 30 for driving accuracy the past 3 seasons. Kevin is at his best on shorter tracks where he can utilise his accuracy and a hot putter.
Trends
Wind Expert - Kevin is a very competent wind player. There are numerous examples of him playing well in breezy conditions so get him onside if the wind blows.
Unpredictable - Over the course of 2018 - 2020, Kevin had thirteen top 10 finishes. Five of these followed a missed cut and one of these followed a 55th place finish. He doesn't need to have made the cut the previous week if the test didn't suit him.
Major & WGC Analysis
Major's - For a tournament which favours longer hitters, Kevin has posted finishes of 12th, 19th and 7th at the US PGA Championship in the last four years. It is unlikely he'll win a US PGA but he's a backable proposition in non-outright markets due to his consistency.
Kevin has a steady if unspectacular record at The Masters missed the cut in 2020.
Kevin obviously had a great chance to win The Open in 2018 and let it slip. His Open record was poor but he has now become a much more accomplished links player. Given that he has won The RSM Classic and generally plays well at firm windy venues, The Open should represent his best chance at a Major win.
Kevin appears least suited to the US Open where has played seven times and only recorded one finish better than 49th.
WGC's - Kevin has become somewhat of a matchplay specialist the past two years, having finished 2nd in the WGC Matchplay in 2018 and becoming WGC Matchplay Champion in 2019. This style of golf probably suits him better than regular strokeplay.
He was top 25 at both WGC's in 2020.
Pressure Performance Rating
November 2020 - Shot a brilliant final round 63 when trailing by five shots to force a playoff with Robert Streb at the RSM Classic.
January 2020 - Trailed Brendan Steele by four shots at the Sony Open. Shot an acceptable 69 to lose out by two shots to Cameron Smith.
March 2019 - Won the WGC- Matchplay Championship defeating Matt Kuchar 3&2.
April 2018 - Kevin was 3 back going into the final round at RBC Heritage before shooting a 1 over par 72 to fall to 7th.
May 2017 - Started 3 shots behind at the Dean & Deluca Invitational and shot 66 to win by 1.
March 2017 - Joint 3rd round leader at The Arnold Palmer Invitational and shot 1 over par 73 to slip to tied 2nd.
January 2016 - Kevin was one shot back at the Sony Open but could only manage a level par 70 to drop to 5th.
November 2015 - Held 3 shot lead going into final round at The RSM Classic and shot 66 to win by 6 shots.
November 2015 - Joint 3rd round leader at the WGC HSBC Champions but shot 70 and lost out by two.
Summary - Overall, Kevin is poor under pressure. He is far better suited to coming from behind than leading. His Golf Betting Club Pressure Performance Rating is set to 2 stars.
Extra Note - Kevin's record in contention at Major Championships isn't much better having held the joint lead after three rounds at the 2018 Open Championship but shot a disappointing 3 over par 74 to finish tied second. He also held a one stroke lead through three rounds at the 2017 PGA Championship before again shooting a 3 over par round and dropping to 7th. Interestingly he led in both events from 1st round to 3rd round.
Playoff Record
0-5. Kevin definitely isn't one to side with in a playoff situation having lost all five of his playoffs to date. Admittedly 3 of these playoff losses all came in the 2015 season and the other loss came in the 2017 season at the New Orleans pairs event. You'd think Kevin would be a bettor playoff performer given he won the 2019 WGC- Matchplay but he remains one to avoid when a tournament goes to extra holes.
Significant Quotes
2017 US PGA Championship
Q. You've had success here in the past with different grass on the greens. You've talked about your affinity for bermudagrass. Do you like it better this way, putting on better bermuda?
KEVIN KISNER: I do. I love playing on the bermuda. I like the bent when I'm in the rough, but I like the bermuda when I'm in the fairway.
Q. Does that make you like the golf course a little bit better?
KEVIN KISNER: I think it's great for the golf course. I think it makes it play more difficult. The firmness, you're going to be able to keep it more firm, especially this time of year. But I love putting on the surfaces. They are pure. You know if you start it on line, even late in the day they were getting a little choppy, but you start it online, it's going to have a good chance of going in. I just feel so comfortable, I don't feel like I have to read it and over read it. I can stand up and put like I've grown up doing.
2015 Heritage
JOHN BUSH: Before we open it up, just recap your season for us. Your best finish was a T‑4 at the McGladrey Classic. Could you comment on the year as a whole.
KEVIN KISNER: I always struggle on the West Coast. A good ol' Southern boy doesn't putt on poa annua too well. I'm getting back to some grass that I like. I started a trend in the right direction. This is probably about where I start playing my best in the previous years. Last year I did okay here, and then got on a run at Charlotte and the Byron Nelson. Hopefully it's going that way again.
Q. And a little more specifically about your discomfort with greens on the West Coast versus the Bermuda and the stuff here?
KEVIN KISNER: This is just what I grew up on. Guys that are from the West Coast complain by the grain, and I don't even look at grain here. So I just putt like I've always putted. And I guess that's why I'm not very good on the poa annua, and they laugh at me out there.
Kevin is now a seasoned veteran on the PGA Tour having won multiple times and notched his first WGC title in 2019 at the WGC Matchplay event. Kevin is definitely a character and is often forthright when asked a question. Look out for Kevin making statements on his social media or in interview to get an insight into his recent thoughts. As an example, he was asked last year whether he had an chance at the Majors and bluntly replied he had "no chance!"
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
He "loves Colonial, Harbour Town and the Travelers," watch out for him at those events.
Kevin is friends with fellow PGA Tour pro Scott Brown so it it a comfortable game for him if they are paired together.
Stats Analysis
Short Game - Kevin is a strong putter, ranking inside the top 30 the past 3 seasons for strokes gained putting.
Long Game - He is a short hitter who makes up for his lack of length off the tee by being extremely accurate, ranking inside the top 30 for driving accuracy the past 3 seasons. Kevin is at his best on shorter tracks where he can utilise his accuracy and a hot putter.
Trends
Wind Expert - Kevin is a very competent wind player. There are numerous examples of him playing well in breezy conditions so get him onside if the wind blows.
Unpredictable - Over the course of 2018 - 2020, Kevin had thirteen top 10 finishes. Five of these followed a missed cut and one of these followed a 55th place finish. He doesn't need to have made the cut the previous week if the test didn't suit him.
Major & WGC Analysis
Major's - For a tournament which favours longer hitters, Kevin has posted finishes of 12th, 19th and 7th at the US PGA Championship in the last four years. It is unlikely he'll win a US PGA but he's a backable proposition in non-outright markets due to his consistency.
Kevin has a steady if unspectacular record at The Masters missed the cut in 2020.
Kevin obviously had a great chance to win The Open in 2018 and let it slip. His Open record was poor but he has now become a much more accomplished links player. Given that he has won The RSM Classic and generally plays well at firm windy venues, The Open should represent his best chance at a Major win.
Kevin appears least suited to the US Open where has played seven times and only recorded one finish better than 49th.
WGC's - Kevin has become somewhat of a matchplay specialist the past two years, having finished 2nd in the WGC Matchplay in 2018 and becoming WGC Matchplay Champion in 2019. This style of golf probably suits him better than regular strokeplay.
He was top 25 at both WGC's in 2020.
Pressure Performance Rating
November 2020 - Shot a brilliant final round 63 when trailing by five shots to force a playoff with Robert Streb at the RSM Classic.
January 2020 - Trailed Brendan Steele by four shots at the Sony Open. Shot an acceptable 69 to lose out by two shots to Cameron Smith.
March 2019 - Won the WGC- Matchplay Championship defeating Matt Kuchar 3&2.
April 2018 - Kevin was 3 back going into the final round at RBC Heritage before shooting a 1 over par 72 to fall to 7th.
May 2017 - Started 3 shots behind at the Dean & Deluca Invitational and shot 66 to win by 1.
March 2017 - Joint 3rd round leader at The Arnold Palmer Invitational and shot 1 over par 73 to slip to tied 2nd.
January 2016 - Kevin was one shot back at the Sony Open but could only manage a level par 70 to drop to 5th.
November 2015 - Held 3 shot lead going into final round at The RSM Classic and shot 66 to win by 6 shots.
November 2015 - Joint 3rd round leader at the WGC HSBC Champions but shot 70 and lost out by two.
Summary - Overall, Kevin is poor under pressure. He is far better suited to coming from behind than leading. His Golf Betting Club Pressure Performance Rating is set to 2 stars.
Extra Note - Kevin's record in contention at Major Championships isn't much better having held the joint lead after three rounds at the 2018 Open Championship but shot a disappointing 3 over par 74 to finish tied second. He also held a one stroke lead through three rounds at the 2017 PGA Championship before again shooting a 3 over par round and dropping to 7th. Interestingly he led in both events from 1st round to 3rd round.
Playoff Record
0-5. Kevin definitely isn't one to side with in a playoff situation having lost all five of his playoffs to date. Admittedly 3 of these playoff losses all came in the 2015 season and the other loss came in the 2017 season at the New Orleans pairs event. You'd think Kevin would be a bettor playoff performer given he won the 2019 WGC- Matchplay but he remains one to avoid when a tournament goes to extra holes.
Significant Quotes
2017 US PGA Championship
Q. You've had success here in the past with different grass on the greens. You've talked about your affinity for bermudagrass. Do you like it better this way, putting on better bermuda?
KEVIN KISNER: I do. I love playing on the bermuda. I like the bent when I'm in the rough, but I like the bermuda when I'm in the fairway.
Q. Does that make you like the golf course a little bit better?
KEVIN KISNER: I think it's great for the golf course. I think it makes it play more difficult. The firmness, you're going to be able to keep it more firm, especially this time of year. But I love putting on the surfaces. They are pure. You know if you start it on line, even late in the day they were getting a little choppy, but you start it online, it's going to have a good chance of going in. I just feel so comfortable, I don't feel like I have to read it and over read it. I can stand up and put like I've grown up doing.
2015 Heritage
JOHN BUSH: Before we open it up, just recap your season for us. Your best finish was a T‑4 at the McGladrey Classic. Could you comment on the year as a whole.
KEVIN KISNER: I always struggle on the West Coast. A good ol' Southern boy doesn't putt on poa annua too well. I'm getting back to some grass that I like. I started a trend in the right direction. This is probably about where I start playing my best in the previous years. Last year I did okay here, and then got on a run at Charlotte and the Byron Nelson. Hopefully it's going that way again.
Q. And a little more specifically about your discomfort with greens on the West Coast versus the Bermuda and the stuff here?
KEVIN KISNER: This is just what I grew up on. Guys that are from the West Coast complain by the grain, and I don't even look at grain here. So I just putt like I've always putted. And I guess that's why I'm not very good on the poa annua, and they laugh at me out there.
