Chris Stroud grew up in Groves, Texas, where he first developed his love for golf on the city’s nine-hole course, the Port Groves Golf Club—affectionately known as “The Pea Patch.” The course was famous for its small greens and competitive local gambling scene. Stroud attended Port Neches–Groves High School, where he chose to focus entirely on golf, playing for the school’s storied golf program.

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Recognized early in the National Junior Golf Rankings, Stroud was heavily recruited by several Division I programs but chose to stay close to home, committing to Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Under coaches Brad McMakin and Brian White, he developed into one of the nation’s top collegiate players. He won the prestigious 2003 North and South Amateur at Pinehurst and earned a spot on the 2004 Palmer Cup team. Stroud was also a two-time All-American at Lamar, solidifying his reputation as one of the best players in school history.

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Turning professional in 2004, Stroud began his career on the mini-tours before earning his PGA Tour card through Qualifying School in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2009, he finished 113th on the PGA Tour money list, retaining his card for the following season. His early career highlight came at the 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he tied for fifth, and again in 2010 when he finished tied for 10th at The Players Championship, earning one of his largest single-event payouts at the time.

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Over the course of his PGA Tour career, Stroud has recorded numerous Top-10 finishes and has earned more than $13 million in official prize money. One of his most memorable performances came at the 2013 Travelers Championship, when he dramatically chipped in for birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff, ultimately finishing second. On August 6, 2017, Stroud earned his first PGA Tour victory at the Barracuda Championship in Reno, Nevada, defeating Greg Owen and Richy Werenski in a playoff. Remarkably, it was his 290th PGA Tour start, and he had entered the week on conditional status after considering retirement. Riding that momentum, he finished tied for ninth at the 2017 PGA Championship, marking one of his best career major finishes.

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Beyond his accomplishments on the course, Stroud has been known for his leadership and philanthropy. Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, he helped lead fundraising efforts among PGA Tour players to support relief for his hometown community of Groves and the surrounding area. In recognition of his achievements, Stroud was inducted into the Museum of the Gulf Coast’s Sports Legends Hall of Fame in 2015. He currently resides in Houston, Texas, where he continues to compete on the PGA Tour and remains an ambassador for Southeast Texas golf.