The golfing world watches with bated breath as Bryan Wesley, a past champion of the RBC Heritage Open in 2017, grapples with a challenging season. After finishing 128th on the 2024 FedEx Cup Points list, totaling 405 points, Wesley has found himself in a precarious situation, ranked 32nd on the priority order. As the stakes rise, so does Wesley’s frustration.
Wesley’s current predicament saw him securing a spot as an alternate in the upcoming Texas Children’s Houston Open, scheduled from March 27–30. The alternate position, however, is a precarious one as it hinges on the withdrawal of players higher on the priority list. But the challenge doesn’t stop there. Wesley is no ordinary alternate, but the 8th in line, meaning that a staggering eight players would have to drop out before he gets his shot at the tournament.
Adding to Wesley’s woes is his ongoing struggle with back pain, a new issue for the golfer known for his previous shoulder injury. Wesley underwent surgery in January 2019 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, but this back issue seems to be a fresh trouble. His tweet, “8th alternate! Need my back to get better, and have a landslide of WD’s for me to have a chance of making another cut on tour! Come on!” sheds light on his frustration.
This year, Wesley’s participation in the PGA Tour has been limited to just three events, with a successful cut in only one: the Farmers Insurance Open. He managed a respectable T25 finish with a par score over four days. His performance at the second Creator Classic, prior to the PLAYERS Championship, was commendable too, scoring 6 over par across eight holes and finishing T6.
One reason for Wesley’s limited opportunities is the highly competitive field. The upcoming 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open, for instance, boasts a star-studded lineup, including the unexpected participation of Rory McIlroy, who hasn’t played in this event since 2014. Other notable participants include last season’s winner Stephan Jaeger, Tony Finau, Taylor Moore, Thomas Detry, Alejandro Tosti, and Scottie Scheffler. However, world No.3 Xander Schauffele is missing from the list, likely taking time to rest and recover from a recent injury.
Bryan Wesley and his brother George Bryan IV, known for their popular YouTube channel ‘Bryan Bros Golf’, are a significant presence in the golfing community. With around 543K subscribers, they are among the top golf-based content creators globally. As the excitement builds for the competition at the Memorial Park Golf Course in Texas, the question remains: Will Bryan Wesley make it to the tournament? Only time will tell.