J. P. Hayes

Who is J. P. Hayes?

John Patrick "J.P." Hayes is an American professional golfer.

Hayes was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was a member of the golf team. He majored in Marketing and graduated in 1988. In 1989, he turned professional.

Hayes began play on the PGA Tour in 1992 after earning his tour card at qualifying school. He failed to finish high enough on the money list to retain his card and played on the Nike Tour in 1993 and 1994. He again gained a PGA Tour card for the 1995 season through Q school but failed to keep it. Playing the Nike Tour again in 1996, he won the NIKE Miami Valley Open and finished 14th on the money list. He finished 13th at Q school to earn his 1997 PGA Tour card. He has played that tour ever since, returning to Q school in 1997 and 2004.

Hayes has won twice on the PGA Tour: the 1998 Buick Classic and the 2002 John Deere Classic.

Hayes became somewhat well known after disqualifying himself in a Q-school qualifying event in November 2008 for mistakenly using a non-regulation ball for two strokes. He returned to the PGA Tour in 2010 after finishing tied for 8th in the 2009 Q school. He retained his tour card after finishing 113th on the Tour.