Robert Garrigus is a name synonymous with resilience and raw power in professional golf. Known for his prodigious driving distance and comeback story, Garrigus has carved a unique path through the PGA Tour. From battling substance abuse to securing dramatic victories, his journey reflects both personal triumph and professional perseverance. Below, we explore his life, career, financial achievements, and legacy in the sport.
Robert Garrigus’ Biography
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Robert Ira Garrigus |
Nickname | N/A |
Born | November 11, 1977 Age 47 |
Birthplace | Nampa, Idaho, USA |
Nationality | American |
College | Scottsdale Community College |
Turned Pro | 1997 |
Height | N/A |
Net Worth | $14.9 million |
Relationship | Engaged; two sons from a previous marriage |
Residence | Chandler, Arizona |
Robert Garrigus grew up in Oregon and developed a passion for golf early, despite facing personal challenges. His father, Thomas Garrigus, was an Olympic trap shooter, adding athletic pedigree to his background. Today, Garrigus balances family life with his career, residing in Arizona with his fiancé and children.
Early Career
Robert Garrigus turned professional in 1997 at age 20, launching a career that began humbly on golf’s unglamorous minor-league circuits. For nearly a decade, he grinded on tours like the NGA Hooters Tour and Gateway Tour, often sleeping in his car between tournaments to save money. His raw power off the tee—a skill that later became his trademark—was evident early, but inconsistency and personal struggles held him back.
In 2003, Garrigus faced a pivotal moment when he entered rehab for cocaine and alcohol addiction, later calling it “the best decision I ever made.” After getting sober, he refocused on golf, earning his first real breakthrough in 2005 by finishing tied for ninth at PGA Tour Q-School. This performance secured his 2006 PGA Tour card, though initial success was fleeting—he missed 15 cuts in 29 starts that rookie season.
These formative years forged Garrigus’s resilience, teaching him to balance his aggressive playing style with the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level. By the late 2000s, his rebuilt game and newfound discipline primed him for the career-defining moments that would follow.
Professional Career
Robert Garrigus’s PGA Tour career is a rollercoaster of dramatic comebacks and raw power. He broke through in 2010 by winning the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, overcoming a five-shot deficit on Sunday—a victory that saved his Tour card. The 2011 season cemented his reputation: he earned over $1.5 million, finished T3 at the U.S. Open, and nearly won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in a playoff.
For two straight years (2009–2010), he led the Tour in driving distance, regularly smashing 315+ yard drives that left rivals in awe. However, inconsistency—especially with his signature 28.5-inch putter—kept him from more trophies. After a strong 2016–2017 start, a seven-event missed-cut streak threatened his career, but he clawed back with three late top-10s to keep his card.
His resilience faced its toughest test in 2019 with a three-month suspension for marijuana use, which he openly discussed as a setback. Garrigus rebounded memorably in 2021, sinking an albatross (-3 on a par-5) at the Barbasol Championship and setting a Tour record by going -8 on a single hole.
Even in 2024, at age 46, he proved his grit by Monday-qualifying for the Cognizant Classic with a 65. Though he never became a superstar, his career—marked by 367 Tour starts, $14.9 million earned, and relentless comebacks—showcases a fighter who outlasted personal demons and younger rivals.
Robert Garrigus’s Net Worth Details
Robert Garrigus’s net worth is estimated to be $14.9 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
Year | Earnings | Key Highlights |
2005 | $25,000 | First recorded earnings (unofficial events) |
2006 | $577,595 | Rookie PGA Tour season, 16 cuts made |
2007 | $1,260,010 | Career-best pre-2010 earnings |
2008 | $781,732 | Consistent mid-tier performances |
2009 | $657,204 | Led PGA Tour in driving distance (312 yards) |
2010 | $1,583,275 | First PGA Tour win (Children’s Miracle Network Classic) |
2011 | $1,503,923 | T3 at U.S. Open, Masters qualification |
2012 | $3,656,864 | Career-high earnings; playoff loss at Hyundai Tournament of Champions |
2013 | $1,041,605 | T38 at Masters |
2014 | $1,095,474 | 15 cuts made |
2015 | $253,699 | Struggles with form |
2016 | $1,024,900 | Late-season resurgence |
2017 | $880,905 | Three top-10s salvaged Tour card |
2018 | $702,030 | End of 12-year Tour card retention streak |
2019 | $84,191 | Suspended for 3 months (marijuana violation) |
2020 | $37,571 | Pandemic-shortened season |
2021 | $36,243 | Albatross (-3) at Barbasol Championship |
2022 | $177,961 | Monday-qualified for Cognizant Classic (2024) |
2023 | $48,425 | Final payout at Butterfield Bermuda Championship (T27) |
2024 | $0 (as of Mar ’25) | Missed cuts at Farmers Insurance Open, Cognizant Classic |
Total | $14.9M+ | 367 PGA Tour starts, 1 win, 211 cuts made |
Endorsements
Robert Garrigus’s endorsement history reflects his under-the-radar career trajectory. His most notable deal came in 2012 with Financial Transaction Services (FTS), a payment processing company that branded his hats and shirts.
The partnership leaned into Garrigus’s blue-collar appeal and recovery narrative, with FTS CEO stating, “Robert’s perseverance aligns with our corporate values.” While he never landed major equipment or apparel contracts like top stars, Garrigus occasionally promoted smaller golf brands through social media shoutouts, including a 2017 Instagram post praising a CBD company’s pain-relief products (later deleted).
His relatability—openly discussing addiction recovery and financial struggles—made him a niche favorite for brands targeting everyday golfers. As of 2025, no active sponsorships are publicly disclosed, though his 25+ years as a Tour journeyman keep him relevant for regional endorsements and charity golf appearances.
Career Stats
Category | Statistic |
PGA Tour Wins | 1 (2010 Children’s Miracle Network Classic) |
Playoff Record | 0–3 (Lost to Westwood in 2010, Byrd in 2011, Donald in 2012) |
Top-10 Finishes | 33 |
Cuts Made | 211 of 367 starts (57.5%) |
Career Earnings | $14.9 million (as of 2025) |
Driving Distance Rank | 1st (2009: 312 yards, 2010: 315 yards) |
Lowest Round | 62 (2017 Puerto Rico Open) |
Albany Record | -8 on a single hole (2021 Barbasol Championship) |
Major Championship Performance
Tournament | Starts | Best Finish | Top-10s | Cuts Made |
Masters | 2 | T38 (2013) | 0 | 1 |
U.S. Open | 5 | T3 (2011) | 1 | 1 |
The Open Championship | 2 | Missed Cut | 0 | 0 |
PGA Championship | 3 | T21 (2012) | 0 | 3 |
Total | 12 | T3 (2011) | 1 | 5 |
FAQs
1. What is Robert Garrigus’s net worth?
Robert Garrigus’s net worth is estimated at $14.9 million, accumulated over 18+ years on the PGA Tour. His career earnings total $14.9 million from 367 tournaments, with his peak year in 2012 yielding $3.2 million.
2. How many PGA Tour wins does Robert Garrigus have?
Garrigus has one PGA Tour victory: the 2010 Children’s Miracle Network Classic. He clinched the title by three strokes, securing exempt status through 2012. This remains his sole Tour win despite multiple playoff appearances.
3. What is Robert Garrigus best known for?
Garrigus is renowned for his driving power, leading the PGA Tour in driving distance in 2009 (312 yards) and 2010 (315 yards). He also gained attention for using a 28.5-inch putter, significantly shorter than standard models.
4. Why was Robert Garrigus suspended from the PGA Tour?
In 2019, Garrigus received a three-month suspension after testing positive for marijuana. He advocated for policy changes, arguing cannabis should be treated like alcohol and used legally under medical supervision.
5. What challenges did Robert Garrigus face early in his career?
Garrigus turned pro in 1997 and spent years on developmental tours like the NGA Hooters Tour. He battled substance abuse, entering rehab in 2003 for cocaine and alcohol addiction before earning his PGA Tour card in 2005.
6. Who is Robert Garrigus’s father?
His father, Thomas Garrigus, won a silver medal in trap shooting at the 1968 Summer Olympics. The two shared a love for hunting, including memorable trips to Oregon’s Blue Mountains.
7. Has Robert Garrigus secured major endorsement deals?
His primary endorsement was a 2012 partnership with Financial Transaction Services (FTS). While lacking high-profile sponsorships, his comeback story and relatability attracted niche brands, including a brief CBD promotion in 2017.
8. What is Robert Garrigus’s best performance in major championships?
Garrigus’s standout major result was a T3 finish at the 2011 U.S. Open. He qualified for the Masters that year but never secured a top-10 finish in other majors.
9. What unique records does Robert Garrigus hold?
In 2021, he set a PGA Tour record by scoring -8 on a single hole across four rounds at the Barbasol Championship, including an albatross (double eagle) in Round 2.