Who are the best golfers to come out of the Golf Channel series The Big Break? Below, we rank the Top 5 Big Break alums. In doing so, we considered only what Big Break contestants have accomplished after being on the show.
See also:
Big Break History: Casts and Winners
How Big Break champs have fared with their exemptions
1. Tommy 'Two Gloves' Gainey
Courtesy of The Golf Channel, used with permission
And Tommy Two Gloves takes the lead!
We've seen Gainey twice on The Big Break, first in Season 4 and then as the winner on Big Break VII: Reunion. After the first one, and again after the second, Gainey showed flashes with wins on lower-level circuits and Monday qualifying successes. But since 2008, he's been a member of either the PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour.
Gainey was runner-up at the Disney in 2008, which is still his best PGA Tour finish, but he added three thirds in 2011. In 2010, he won twice on the Nationwide Tour. In 2011, Gainey played consistently well all year on the PGA Tour.
We've seen Gainey twice on The Big Break, first in Season 4 and then as the winner on Big Break VII: Reunion. After the first one, and again after the second, Gainey showed flashes with wins on lower-level circuits and Monday qualifying successes. But since 2008, he's been a member of either the PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour.
Gainey was runner-up at the Disney in 2008, which is still his best PGA Tour finish, but he added three thirds in 2011. In 2010, he won twice on the Nationwide Tour. In 2011, Gainey played consistently well all year on the PGA Tour.
2. Kristy McPherson
Courtesy of The Golf Channel; used with permission
Kristy McPherson was ousted in the third elimination of the season on Big Break VI: Trump National. But she probably wasn't too bummed out. By the time the show aired, McPherson had already finished fourth on the 2006 Futures Tour money list, earning her LPGA Tour membership for 2007.
And she's been (mostly) a steady LPGA player ever since. Since 2007, she has three runner-up finishes and nearly 20 Top 10s. Her money list finishes, starting with 2007, have been 97th, 47th, 16th and 27th.
No, she hasn't won yet at the highest level of women's golf. And 2011 was a struggle for McPherson, ending with her being passed over for the Solheim Cup, which she got to play in 2009.
And she's been (mostly) a steady LPGA player ever since. Since 2007, she has three runner-up finishes and nearly 20 Top 10s. Her money list finishes, starting with 2007, have been 97th, 47th, 16th and 27th.
No, she hasn't won yet at the highest level of women's golf. And 2011 was a struggle for McPherson, ending with her being passed over for the Solheim Cup, which she got to play in 2009.
3. James Nitties
Photo © The Golf Channel; used with permission
Nitties was a cast member in Season 8, Big Break Mesquite, which aired the same year Nitties won on the Von Nida Tour, Australia's second-level circuit.
In 2009, Nitties played his way onto the PGA Tour and made 15 cuts in 27 starts, including two top 10s. He finished 88th on the money list with just under $1 million. In 2010, he made again made 15 cuts on the PGA Tour, but his money-list finish slipped to 134th and he lost his card.
But he did win back home on the Australasian Tour in 2010 at the Victoria PGA Championship. In 2011, Nitties won on the Nationwide Tour, his biggest win to date.
In 2009, Nitties played his way onto the PGA Tour and made 15 cuts in 27 starts, including two top 10s. He finished 88th on the money list with just under $1 million. In 2010, he made again made 15 cuts on the PGA Tour, but his money-list finish slipped to 134th and he lost his card.
But he did win back home on the Australasian Tour in 2010 at the Victoria PGA Championship. In 2011, Nitties won on the Nationwide Tour, his biggest win to date.
4. Matt Every
Photo © The Golf Channel; used with permission
Every was a castmate of Nitties' on Big Break Mesquite, and neither won it, but both made our Top 5 Big Breakers list.
In 2008, Every had four Top 10s (including a runner-up) on the Nationwide Tour, and finished 34th on the money list. In 2009, with a win at the Nationwide Tour Championship, Every improved to 10th on the money list and earned his PGA Tour card.
Every's PGA Tour rookie season had highs and lows, just not the right kind of highs: He was suspended for three months after being arrested for marijuana possession. Duuuuuuuude, don't Bogart that golf career!
But he also had one Top 10 finish and made 12 cuts in 18 starts. He began 2011 playing on a minor medical extension.
In 2008, Every had four Top 10s (including a runner-up) on the Nationwide Tour, and finished 34th on the money list. In 2009, with a win at the Nationwide Tour Championship, Every improved to 10th on the money list and earned his PGA Tour card.
Every's PGA Tour rookie season had highs and lows, just not the right kind of highs: He was suspended for three months after being arrested for marijuana possession. Duuuuuuuude, don't Bogart that golf career!
But he also had one Top 10 finish and made 12 cuts in 18 starts. He began 2011 playing on a minor medical extension.
5. Ryann O'Toole
Courtesy of Golf Channel
Ryann O'Toole moved onto this list, bumping out (for now) Kim Welch, in Summer 2011 after a series of solid LPGA showings earned O'Toole a captain's selection for the 2011 Solheim Cup.
O'Toole was on Big Break Sandals Resorts, surviving about half the season. That same year, O'Toole - who didn't even earn full-time playing status on her college team - won twice on the Futures Tour.
She moved up to the LPGA in 2011 and first drew notice with a Top 10 finish at the U.S. Women's Open. A fifth-place showing at the Safeway Classic was the impetus for her Solheim selection.
Ryann O'Toole pics
O'Toole was on Big Break Sandals Resorts, surviving about half the season. That same year, O'Toole - who didn't even earn full-time playing status on her college team - won twice on the Futures Tour.
She moved up to the LPGA in 2011 and first drew notice with a Top 10 finish at the U.S. Women's Open. A fifth-place showing at the Safeway Classic was the impetus for her Solheim selection.
Ryann O'Toole pics
