Woody Austin
Player - Professional
Class of 2024
From a teenage prodigy to a veteran force on the PGA Tour, Woody Austin has earned a reputation for both his talent and his colorful presence on the course. Born in Tampa, Florida, in 1964, Albert “Woody” Austin II was a standout golfer from the start. He dominated at George D. Chamberlain High School, earning the nickname “Steady Eddie” for his reliability. At the University of Miami, where he was the No. 1 player all four years, his coach called him a “hard-working perfectionist.” That drive paid off—during a casual round at Babe Zaharias Golf Course, he shot a blistering 57, and in 1985, he won the USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship by 10 strokes.
In 1994, he earned his PGA Tour card and won the Buick Open the following year, claiming PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors. Though he struggled for nearly a decade without a win, he broke through again in 2004 at the Buick Championship, then captured the 2007 Stanford St. Jude Championship with a final-round 62. That summer, he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship and earned a spot on the U.S. Presidents Cup team—where he cemented his most famous nickname.
During a four-ball match, Austin lost his balance and fell face-first into a water hazard, instantly earning the moniker “AquaMan.” He took it in stride, later donning a scuba mask to the delight of fans. But beyond the humor, he delivered—his performance helped secure the U.S. victory.
Austin’s career continued with a surprise win at the 2013 Sanderson Farms Championship at age 49, making him one of the oldest PGA Tour winners at the time. Turning 50, he shifted his focus to the PGA Tour Champions, where he claimed four victories between 2016 and 2018, including the Dominion Energy Classic, where he edged out Bernhard Langer.
From “Stickman” to “AquaMan,” Woody Austin has always been a golfer to watch—intense, passionate, and never afraid to let his personality shine.
