Corey Pavin — 1995 U.S. Open champion known for his legendary four-wood shot. Discover his age, net worth, wife, children, and remarkable golf legacy.
Corey Pavin is a celebrated American professional golfer best remembered for one of the most iconic shots in U.S. Open history. Born on November 16, 1959, in Oxnard, California, Pavin built a career defined by precision, mental toughness, and an ability to outplay bigger hitters through pure strategy. His 1995 U.S. Open victory at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club remains his crowning achievement and one of the sport’s most replayed moments.
Beyond that signature win, Pavin spent over 150 weeks ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking and later captained the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2010. Today, he continues competing on the PGA Tour Champions, proving that his competitive fire hasn’t dimmed with age.
Quick Facts About Corey Pavin
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Corey Allen Pavin |
| Date of Birth | November 16, 1959 |
| Age | 66 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Oxnard, California, USA |
| Profession | Professional Golfer |
| Net Worth | Approx. $12–20 million |
| Spouse | Lisa Nguyen (m. 2003); formerly Shannon Healy |
| Children | Austin, Ryan, and Alexis |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Famous For | 1995 U.S. Open Champion, 2010 Ryder Cup Captain |
Early Life and Family
Corey Pavin was born in Oxnard, California, the only son of Jack and Barbara Pavin. He grew up immersed in Southern California’s golf culture and attended Oxnard High School, where his game began drawing serious attention from junior and amateur circuits. Even as a teenager, Pavin’s strategic approach to the course set him apart from bigger, more powerful hitters.
His talent eventually carried him to UCLA, where his collegiate career would lay the groundwork for everything that followed.
Education and Amateur Success
At UCLA, Pavin became a standout on the golf team, earning first-team All-American honors in both 1979 and 1982. He racked up 11 collegiate victories and was named NCAA Player of the Year in 1982 — a remarkable showing that confirmed he was ready for the professional ranks. That same year, he also won two gold medals at the 1981 Maccabiah Games, often called the “Jewish Olympics,” held in Israel.
Turning Pro and Building a Career
Pavin turned professional in 1982, though his start wasn’t smooth — he failed to advance past the regional section of PGA Tour Qualifying School that year. Rather than wait, he headed overseas to compete in 1983, where his game quickly found its rhythm. He won his first professional tournament at the Lexington PGA on the Southern African Tour, then claimed the German Open just a month later, finishing three strokes ahead of golf legend Seve Ballesteros.
His first PGA Tour victory came in 1984 at the Houston Coca-Cola Open, kicking off a decade of consistent success. By 1991, Pavin topped the PGA Tour money list and was named PGA Player of the Year. Between 1986 and 1997, he spent more than 150 weeks inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, eventually reaching a career-high of No. 2 in June 1996.
The 1995 U.S. Open: Pavin’s Defining Moment
Pavin’s signature achievement came at the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. He entered the final round three strokes behind Greg Norman and Tom Lehman, hardly the favorite to win. On the 72nd and final hole, Pavin struck a 4-wood from 228 yards that landed just five feet from the cup — a shot widely regarded as one of the greatest in major championship history. He sealed the victory by two strokes over Norman, capturing his only major title.
The win was honored decades later when the USGA paid tribute to Pavin during the 2026 U.S. Open at the same Shinnecock Hills course, using a specially marked cup on the 18th green to commemorate his historic finish. Pavin called the gesture “an honor” when told about it during the broadcast.
Beyond his major win, Pavin claimed 15 PGA Tour titles overall, plus six additional international victories that made him a winner on five different continents. He also finished third at the 1992 Masters and runner-up at the 1994 PGA Championship, showing remarkable consistency across all four majors.
Ryder Cup Career and Captaincy
Pavin represented the United States on three Ryder Cup teams — in 1991, 1993, and 1995. Years later, in December 2008, the PGA of America named him captain of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup team, a role that capped his transition from player to respected leader within the sport.
Life After the Tour: Champions Tour and Beyond
Pavin joined the PGA Tour Champions in 2010 and continues competing there today. He claimed his first Champions Tour victory in February 2012 at the Allianz Championship, defeating Peter Senior in a sudden-death playoff. As of 2025 and into 2026, he remains an active competitor on the senior circuit, posting steady finishes at events like the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and Hoag Classic.
He also made a memorable cameo as himself in the 1996 golf comedy Tin Cup, starring Kevin Costner — a fun cultural footnote to an otherwise serious competitive career.
Personal Life
Pavin married his first wife, Shannon Healy, in April 1983, and the couple had two children together before later divorcing. In 2003, he married Lisa Nguyen, and the couple has remained together since, adding a daughter, Alexis, to his family alongside his sons from his first marriage. Pavin has largely kept his family life private, focusing public attention on his game rather than his personal affairs.
Pavin was raised Jewish and was, for a time, the only prominent Jewish player on the PGA Tour. He converted to Christianity in 1991. In 2007, he was named the 117th-greatest Jewish athlete in The Big Book of Jewish Sports Heroes.
Net Worth and Earnings
Estimates of Corey Pavin’s net worth vary, with figures ranging from $12 million to $20 million depending on the source. His wealth stems primarily from tournament earnings across the PGA Tour, European Tour, and PGA Tour Champions, supplemented by endorsement deals and brand partnerships, including a stint as an ambassador for Audi. His career has spanned more than four decades, giving him a steady and diversified income stream well into his Champions Tour years.
Awards and Recognition
Pavin was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2014, a fitting tribute to a career built on grit and precision rather than raw power. He received the Payne Stewart Award in 2010, an honor that recognizes a player’s respect for golf’s traditions and values. He was also named to the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, honoring his roots in his home county.
Wrapping Up
Corey Pavin’s career stands as proof that golf rewards strategy and nerve just as much as distance off the tee. From his UCLA days to his unforgettable four-wood at Shinnecock Hills, he built a legacy on smart, composed play under pressure.
Decades later, his name still resurfaces every time the U.S. Open returns to a course where legends are made — a reminder that some shots simply never get old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Corey Pavin?
Corey Pavin is an American professional golfer born on November 16, 1959, in Oxnard, California. He is best known for winning the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and for captaining the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup team. He continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions.
Q2: What is Corey Pavin famous for?
Pavin is most famous for his dramatic 4-wood approach shot on the final hole of the 1995 U.S. Open, which secured his only major championship title. The shot is widely considered one of the greatest in U.S. Open history.
Q3: What is Corey Pavin’s net worth?
Estimates of Corey Pavin’s net worth range from approximately $12 million to $20 million, built primarily through PGA Tour and Champions Tour earnings, endorsements, and brand partnerships.
Q4: Is Corey Pavin married?
Yes. Pavin married Lisa Nguyen in 2003. He was previously married to Shannon Healy, with whom he has two children, Austin and Ryan. He and Lisa have a daughter together, Alexis.
Q5: Did Corey Pavin captain a Ryder Cup team?
Yes. Pavin was named captain of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup team in December 2008, after representing the U.S. as a player in 1991, 1993, and 1995.
Q6: How many PGA Tour titles did Corey Pavin win?
Pavin won 15 PGA Tour titles during his career, along with six international victories on tours across five continents, plus additional wins on the PGA Tour Champions after joining in 2010.
Q7: Is Corey Pavin still playing golf in 2026?
Yes. Pavin remains active on the PGA Tour Champions, competing in senior events throughout 2025 and into 2026, including appearances at tournaments like the Hoag Classic and Mitsubishi Electric Championship.
