D.J. Gregory Wins PGA Tour Courage Award

D.J. Gregory, the first non-player to win the PGA Tour’s Courage award, has walked 42,000 holes on the PGA Tour since 2008—that’s over 14,000 miles. To put those Ironman numbers in perspective, Charles Howell III has played the most holes on golf’s top circuit in that time frame and Chucky Three Sticks would need to almost double up his tally to match Gregory.

He is the fifth recipient of the Courage Award, presented to a person who overcomes extraordinary adversity and goes on to make a significant contribution to the game of golf.  Previous winners include Erik Compton, Jarrod Lyle, Gene Sauers and Morgan Hoffmann. Gregory received the honor this afternoon in a surprise ceremony at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“It was a total shock. I had no idea until 30 minutes ago. It is pretty awesome,” Gregory says.

D.J. was born 10-weeks premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Doctors informed his parents he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He underwent multiple surgeries on his legs in an effort to untangle them and turn his feet outward.

One procedure necessitated the cutting of his abductor muscles, making balancing a constant challenge. But through grit and determination Gregory eventually figured out how to walk with the aid of a cane. He fell 29 times in his first year walking on tour, but last season he only had one spill which came in November during the second round of the RSM Classic at the tail end of the schedule.

“I was really bummed not to have a clean year but it was really awesome to only have one fall,” Gregory says.

“My leg muscles have gotten stronger and I’m more vigilant and pay a lot more attention when I walk. Usually when I’m walking I’m looking down because I want to make sure I don’t trip on something. I’m also used to the golf courses through a lot of experience,” he adds.

D.J. has paired up with a different player on tour each week for the past 14 years.  He follows them through all four rounds of an event as they make their way around the golf course. If the player he’s following doesn’t make the cut, Gregory teams up with another one for the weekend. Over the years he’s averaged 45-48 events and has also walked with pros on the PGA Tour Champions circuit and the Korn Ferry Tour.

Players Gregory has walked with have won on eight occasions including two major championships. He was tailing Jason Day during the 2015 PGA Championship and tagged up with Jon Rahm for the 2021 U.S. Open.

When Rahm was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament with a 6-shot lead going into the final round after a positive Covid-19 test, Gregory had a premonition that ‘Rahmbo’ would win the U.S. Open.  

“I knew it going into it, I told him and I told his wife. When he won on Sunday night and we were on the green while he was getting the trophy, I told him ‘You know what this means now, you’re stuck with me at the U.S. Open for as long as I do this,’ and he said ‘Absolutely I am,’” Gregory says.

Gregory’s Walking For Kids Foundation, which just surpassed the $1 million raised milestone, supports over 25 children’s charities including Miracle League and multiple First Tee chapters. While they are under no obligation, players he’s paired with often pledge money for each eagle and birdie they make that week and caddies, fans and sponsors have also chipped in over the years as well. 

Since becoming a fixture on the PGA Tour, Gregory has attracted various corporate sponsors to cover his travel costs and Puma outfits him head-to-toe.