Kristy McPherson stands as one of golf’s most inspiring stories, transforming a childhood arthritis diagnosis into the foundation for a remarkable professional career.
The 43-year-old South Carolina native has navigated nearly two decades on the LPGA Tour, overcoming significant health challenges to achieve success at the highest levels of women’s professional golf.
Her journey from a bedridden 11-year-old to Solheim Cup competitor showcases the power of determination and perseverance in professional sports.
In this article, you will know Kristy McPherson’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more details about her extraordinary golf journey from college standout to LPGA Tour veteran and current Solheim Cup assistant captain.
Kristy McPherson’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristy McPherson |
| Date of Birth | May 28, 1981 |
| Age | 43 years old |
| Education | University of South Carolina (Sports and Entertainment Management) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Height | 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Birthplace | Conway, South Carolina |
| Turned Professional | June 2003 |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Career Earnings | $2+ million |
| Relationship Status | Single |
Early Career
Kristy McPherson’s path to professional golf began with a life-altering diagnosis at age 11 when she was told she had Still’s disease, a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This condition confined her mostly to bed and left her unable to walk for an entire year.
Doctors informed the young South Carolina native that she would never again be able to compete in sports requiring jumping or running, effectively ending her dreams of team sports participation.
The diagnosis proved to be a turning point rather than an ending. During her year of confinement, McPherson discovered golf through her father, who would come home from playing and share stories about his rounds.
With nearly 12 months to think about sports while lying in bed, golf became her escape and eventual passion. She began playing at age four but took it seriously only after her diagnosis forced her to find alternative athletic pursuits.
McPherson’s dedication to golf during her recovery years paid dividends during high school, where she played on the boys’ golf team due to her exceptional skills. Her talent earned her a golf scholarship to the University of South Carolina, where she would become the most decorated women’s golfer in program history.
During her four-year collegiate career from 1999 to 2003, she captured seven tournament victories and established program records that still stand today.
Her collegiate achievements included winning individual SEC Championships in both 2001 and 2002, making her one of only three players in SEC history to accomplish this feat. The 2002 victory was particularly memorable as her seven-under score of 209 helped lead South Carolina to its first SEC Championship in program history.
She earned three-time First Team All-American honors and was named SEC Player of the Year in 2003, cementing her status as one of the nation’s premier amateur golfers.
Professional Career
McPherson turned professional in June 2003 immediately after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Sports and Entertainment Management. Her transition to professional golf began on the Futures Tour, where she would spend four years honing her skills and building confidence before earning her LPGA Tour card.
Her Futures Tour career was marked by remarkable consistency, competing in 60 events without missing a single cut while capturing two victories.
Her breakthrough on the Futures Tour came with victories at the Jalapeno Futures Golf Classic in April 2006 and the Betty Puskar Futures Golf Classic in August 2006. The second victory was particularly significant as it occurred while she was simultaneously appearing on Golf Channel’s reality show “The Big Break VI,” filmed at Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles.
Despite the distraction of television filming, McPherson managed to win her second Futures Tour event and climb to fifth on the money list, automatically earning her 2007 LPGA Tour card.
McPherson joined the LPGA Tour in 2007, finishing 97th on the money list in her rookie season with a best finish of tie for 18th. Her second year proved to be a breakthrough, as she recorded six top-10 finishes and jumped to 47th on the official money list. The 2009 season represented the pinnacle of her professional career, featuring major championship contention and Solheim Cup selection.
The 2009 season included her best major championship performance, a tie for second at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, followed by a tie for fifth at the LPGA Championship and a seventh-place finish at the Women’s British Open.
These consistent major championship performances, combined with a runner-up finish at the Wegmans LPGA, earned her selection to the 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup team. Her performance that season resulted in rankings of 14th on the money list with earnings of $624,268 and 17th in scoring average.
Kristy McPherson’s Net Worth Details
Kristy McPherson’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $2 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Tour | Earnings | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-2006 | Futures Tour | $200,000+ | Two victories, never missed cut |
| 2007 | LPGA Tour | $150,000+ | Rookie season |
| 2008 | LPGA Tour | $300,000+ | Six top-10 finishes |
| 2009 | LPGA Tour | $624,268 | Major runner-up, Solheim Cup |
| 2010 | LPGA Tour | $400,000+ | 27th on money list |
| 2011-2015 | LPGA Tour | $800,000+ | Consistent performer |
| 2016-2020 | LPGA Tour | $300,000+ | Part-time status |
| 2021-2025 | Various | $100,000+ | Teaching and golf activities |
| Total | $2+ million | Career earnings |
Career Stats
| Category | LPGA Tour | Futures Tour | Amateur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Starts | 200+ | 60 | 100+ |
| Cuts Made | 120+ | 60 | High percentage |
| Top 10 Finishes | 17 | Multiple | 25+ |
| Wins | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Best Finish | T2 (2009 Kraft Nabisco) | 1st (twice) | Multiple wins |
| Major Championships | 3 runner-up finishes | N/A | Various |
| Career Earnings | $2+ million | $200,000+ | N/A |
| Years Active | 2007-2020 | 2003-2006 | 1999-2003 |
| Best Money List | 14th (2009) | 4th (2006) | N/A |
| Solheim Cup | 1 appearance (2009) | N/A | N/A |
FAQs
1. What health condition did Kristy McPherson overcome to play professional golf?
Kristy McPherson was diagnosed with Still’s disease, a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, at age 11. She was confined to bed for a year and told she could never compete in sports requiring jumping or running.
2. How many times did McPherson win on the LPGA Tour during her career?
McPherson never won an LPGA Tour event during her professional career, though she recorded 17 top-10 finishes and three runner-up finishes, including a tie for second at the 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
3. What is McPherson’s current role in professional golf?
She was named assistant captain for the 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup team by captain Angela Stanford in April 2025, and she’s also working as a caddie and giving lessons at Pelican Golf Club in Florida.
4. How many college golf tournaments did McPherson win at South Carolina?
McPherson won seven tournaments during her four-year collegiate career at the University of South Carolina, setting program records that still stand today along with her SEC Championship victories in 2001 and 2002.
5. What reality TV show did McPherson appear on during her professional career?
She appeared on Golf Channel’s “The Big Break VI: Trump National” in 2006, where she was the fifth player eliminated but managed to win her second Futures Tour event while filming the show.
