Zecheng Dou, known as “Marty,” has become a trailblazer in Chinese golf, breaking barriers on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. As of 2025, his journey from amateur prodigy to professional standout continues to inspire fans globally. This article explores his personal life, career milestones, financial achievements, and current stats.
Zecheng Dou’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Zecheng Dou (窦泽成) |
| Nickname | Marty |
| Born | January 22, 1997 (Age 28) |
| Birthplace | Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Height | 5’9” |
| Turned Pro | 2014 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4.5–5 million |
| Spouse | Muyu Wu (married) |
| Residence | Dallas, Texas, USA |
Early Career
Zecheng Dou’s journey into golf began at age 6 in Zhengzhou, China, where his family’s brief move to Canada introduced him to the sport.
By his early teens, he was already dominating junior competitions, winning the Callaway Junior World Championship in 2011 at just 14 years old. His amateur career skyrocketed as he claimed back-to-back titles at the China Junior Tour’s Zhuhai Championship (2012–2013) and represented China at major international events like the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics and Asian Games.
These achievements earned him recognition as one of Asia’s most promising talents, culminating in a career-defining decision to turn professional in 2014 at age 17. He quickly made waves on the PGA Tour China circuit, where his 2016 season became legendary: four victories—including the St. Andrews Henan Open and Yulongwan Yunnan Open—propelled him to the tour’s Order of Merit title.
This dominance caught the attention of global scouts, paving his path to the Korn Ferry Tour (then Web.com Tour) in 2017. There, he made history as the first Chinese golfer to win a Korn Ferry event at the Digital Ally Open, shooting a staggering −25 under par.
This triumph secured his PGA Tour card, marking a watershed moment not just for Dou but for Chinese golf, which had never before seen a player reach this elite tier through merit-based qualification.
Professional Career
Zecheng Dou’s professional career exploded in 2016 when he dominated the PGA Tour China circuit, snagging four victories—including a playoff win at the St. Andrews Henan Open and a five-stroke romp at the Wuhan Open. His consistency earned him the Order of Merit title, a springboard to the Korn Ferry Tour (then Web.com Tour) in 2017.
There, he made history as the first Chinese golfer to win on the circuit, carding a jaw-dropping −25 at the Digital Ally Open to secure his PGA Tour card. While his 2017–18 PGA Tour debut was rocky (missing 19 cuts in 23 starts), Dou refused to stall.
He rebounded with a gritty Korn Ferry Tour win at the 2019 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, then reignited his momentum in 2022 by capturing The Ascendant title, shooting −17 to reclaim his PGA Tour status. Though still chasing his first PGA Tour win, Dou’s 2023 T3 finish at the AT&T Byron Nelson and steady 2025 performances—like a T13 at the Astara Chile Classic—highlight his refined approach.
Known for surgical iron play and clutch par-5 scoring, he’s leveraged improved driving distance (now averaging 295+ yards) and mental resilience to cement himself as China’s golf pioneer. As of 2025, Dou splits time between the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours, eyeing a breakthrough while inspiring a new wave of Asian talent.
Wife
Zecheng Dou married his longtime girlfriend Muyu Wu in 2022.
The couple, who met during his early career, maintains a private personal life but occasionally shares moments from tournaments on social media. As of 2025, they reside in Dallas, Texas, and focus on balancing golf commitments with family time.
Zecheng Dou’s Net Worth Details
Zecheng Dou’s net worth is estimated to be $4.5–5 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings | Tour |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $220,000+ | PGA Tour China |
| 2017 | $185,594 | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2018 | $102,300 | PGA Tour |
| 2019 | $320,000 | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2020 | $215,500 | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2021 | $189,000 | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2022 | $435,000 | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2023 | $680,000+ | PGA Tour/Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2024 | $855,000+ | PGA Tour/Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2025 | $120,000+ (ongoing) | PGA Tour/Korn Ferry Tour |
Endorsements
Zecheng Dou’s endorsement portfolio reflects his rising profile in global golf. Since turning pro, he has partnered with Titleist, using their clubs and golf balls competitively, a deal that began in 2017 and remains active as of 2025.
His Olympic appearances further boosted his marketability: at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he wore custom-designed apparel from Biemlfdlkk, the official clothing sponsor of Team China. This collaboration highlights his role in promoting Chinese brands internationally.
Earlier in his career, Dou benefited from the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Programme, which nurtured his amateur talent, though HSBC’s current direct endorsements focus on broader developmental initiatives rather than individual athletes.
Career Stats
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Professional Wins | 9 (3 Korn Ferry, 4 PGA Tour China, 2 Amateur) |
| Career Earnings | ~$4.3 million |
| Scoring Average | 69.8 (Korn Ferry Tour) |
| Birdies Per Round | 3.8 |
| Driving Accuracy | 68% |
| Driving Distance | 295+ yards |
| Top-10 Finishes | 14 |
| Best PGA Tour Finish | T3 (2023 AT&T Byron Nelson) |
FAQs
1. When was Zecheng Dou born?
Zecheng Dou was born on January 22, 1997, in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. He began golfing at age 6 during his family’s stay in Canada and turned professional in 2014 after winning multiple amateur titles, including the 2011 Callaway Junior World Championship.
2. What is Zecheng Dou’s nickname?
He is widely known as “Marty,” a name adopted during his early career in the U.S. to simplify pronunciation for international audiences. The nickname has since become synonymous with his professional identity.
3. How many professional wins does Zecheng Dou have?
As of 2025, Dou has nine professional wins: three on the Korn Ferry Tour (2017 Digital Ally Open, 2019 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, 2022 The Ascendant), four on the PGA Tour China, and two amateur titles.
4. What are Zecheng Dou’s career earnings?
His career earnings exceed $4.3 million, with notable payouts including $435,000 from his 2022 Ascendant win and $680,000+ during 2023 PGA Tour starts. Earnings derive from tournament purses, excluding endorsements or appearance fees.
5. When did Zecheng Dou earn his PGA Tour card?
Dou first secured a PGA Tour card in 2017 by winning the Web.com Tour’s Digital Ally Open. He regained it in 2022 after winning The Ascendant, finishing top-25 in Korn Ferry Tour points.
6. What is Zecheng Dou’s best PGA Tour finish?
His best PGA Tour result is a third-place tie (T3) at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, where he shot 23-under par. This marked his strongest performance against elite competition.
7. Who is Zecheng Dou’s spouse?
Dou married Muyu Wu in 2022. She frequently attends tournaments, and the couple celebrated his 2022 Ascendant victory with friend Carl Yuan, who finished runner-up.
8. What are Zecheng Dou’s key golf strengths?
He excels in driving accuracy (68%) and par-5 scoring (4.5 average). Improved driving distance (295+ yards) and precise iron play define his game, though putting consistency remains a focus area.
9. Has Zecheng Dou competed in the Olympics?
Yes, he represented China at the 2024 Paris Olympics, wearing custom Biemlfdlkk apparel. While he didn’t medal, his participation underscored his role in advancing Chinese golf globally.
10. What is Zecheng Dou’s current world ranking?
As of March 2025, Dou ranks No. 363 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Recent Korn Ferry Tour performances, including a T13 in Chile, aim to boost his standing
