The Loop

Wesley Bryan of trick-shot fame makes PGA Tour debut this week

June 08, 2016
wesley-bryan.jpg

Getty Images

There are plenty of trick-shot artists in sports, but perhaps no group is as well known in the golf community as the Bryan Bros. Comprised of siblings Wesley and George, the duo became viral sensations in 2014 after creating a YouTube channel with some of the favorite golf-related stunts. Their popularity earned the brothers a spot on Golf Channel's "Big Break" and soon they brought their antics to landmarks like St. Andrews and Sawgrass, while recruiting stars like Rory McIlroy to play along.

But the Bryans are more than sorcerers with the sticks. George was a three-time All-American at South Carolina, while Wesley, also a USC product, has taken the Web.com Tour by storm. He's won twice this season, earning his PGA Tour card for next year. He has four top-10 finishes, and leads the tour in scoring and earnings.

This performance has warranted a call-up to the big leagues, as Wesley -- with George on the bag -- will make his PGA Tour debut this week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis.

According to Wesley, the trick shots have improved his game.

"It definitely helps with creativity," he said to Golf Digest in 2014. "I'll have a tee shot and I'll think if I threw the ball up and hit it, I'd have no problem hitting the fairway. If you can't hit a fairway when the ball is just sitting there on a tee, you might as well go home."

Bryan's not the strongest player off the tee, but he ranks first on the Web.com Tour in putting, a trait that should come in handy at TPC Southwind. And though it will be a challenge to make the cut, would you really bet against a guy who can turn the 17th at Sawgrass into a playground?