Key Takeaways
- Birdies have been exceptionally scarce at the 2024 PGA Championship; through 36 holes no player has recorded double‑digit birdies, with the highest total being nine birdies shared by four golfers.
- Ben Kern, a 41‑year‑old Class A‑13 PGA professional and general manager of Hickory Hills Golf Club, surprised many by posting a 67 in the second round, giving him four birdies in a five‑hole stretch and a total of nine for the tournament.
- Kern’s background includes a collegiate career at Kansas State, a brief stint on the mini‑tours after turning pro in 2007, and a current plus‑6 handicap that he maintains by playing regularly with club members.
- Physically imposing at 6’1” and 275 lbs, Kern is notable for his tattoos (including a full left‑arm sleeve) and a formerly large beard that he has since shaved.
- His game has evolved from a “hit it to the moon” desert style to a more versatile approach that emphasizes shaping shots in both directions and using the wind to his advantage—skills that proved effective on the blustery Aronimink course.
- Kern’s Friday round featured a memorable 52‑foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, a series of well‑executed iron shots from fairway bunkers and tight lies, and a resilient mindset after a bogey on the fourth hole that allowed him to finish strong.
- Although his 67 will inflate his handicap, Kern views the score as a positive outcome, reflecting the purpose of maintaining a handicap: to track progress and enjoy competitive golf.
The 2024 PGA Championship at Aronimink has been notable for a striking lack of birdies. After the first two rounds, not a single player has managed to reach double‑digit birdies; the highest tally stands at nine, a mark achieved by four competitors: Chris Gotterup, Aaron Rai, Alex Smally, and the most unexpected name on that list, Ben Kern. Kern’s reaction to his own performance was a mixture of disbelief and satisfaction, summed up by his comment, “That’s wild,” as he processed the rarity of his achievement in a birdie‑starved field.
Ben Kern is not a typical tour professional. At 41 years old, he holds a Class A‑13 PGA certification and works full‑time as the general manager of Hickory Hills Golf Club in Grove City, Ohio. His golf journey began in Tucson, Arizona, where he grew up playing in the desert environment that encouraged a “hit it to the moon” mindset. After a collegiate career at Kansas State, Kern turned professional in 2007, spent a few years chasing tournament golf on various mini‑tours, and eventually settled into a club‑professional role that lets him stay connected to the game while managing a facility. This week marks his third appearance at a PGA Championship; he previously missed the cut at Oak Hill in 2023 and finished tied for 42nd at Bellerive in 2018.
Physically, Kern cuts an imposing figure—standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 275 pounds. His appearance is further distinguished by a sleeve of tattoos on his left arm and a formerly thick beard that he has since shaved off. Despite his size, Kern has adapted his swing to suit the demanding conditions at Aronimink, a course known for its wind and tightly guarded greens. He explained that his college experience taught him to appreciate shot shaping: “I like going low, going high, left, both directions… I have fun kind of picking apart the wind and hitting golf shots.” This versatility has served him well amid the blustery Pennsylvania weather.
Friday’s round showcased Kern’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. After an opening 74, he rebounded with an even‑par front nine, highlighted by a remarkable 52‑foot birdie putt on the 218‑yard 17th hole—a hole that plays over a spine and demands precise distance control. From there, Kern rattled off four birdies in a five‑hole stretch. He began the run with a wedge shot to a few feet on the par‑4 first, tapped in for birdie, then followed with a thinned 8‑iron from a fairway bunker on the par‑4 second that finished about nine feet above the hole; he managed to roll that putt in as well. On the par‑4 third, he received a tip from fellow competitor Russell Henley and sank a 21‑footer. The momentum continued on the par‑3 fifth, where he launched another 8‑iron from 187 yards to within ten feet, setting up his sixth and final birdie of the day. Kern reflected, “I think any birdie around this place, I don’t care what hole it is, it’s nice… to go on that run, 1, 2, 3, slip up a little bit on 4 (which he bogeyed), and then get right back on track on 5 allowed me to just keep cruising to finish my round.” He added that he entered the day with a goal, exceeded it, and finished with his head high.
Kern’s connection to the game extends beyond tournament play. He tries to play with the members of Hickory Hills at least once a week, which is why he maintains an active handicap. Presently, he reports a plus‑6 handicap—a figure that his 67 will inevitably push upward. Rather than viewing the increase as a setback, Kern embraces it, noting that the handicap system exists precisely to reflect a player’s evolving ability and to encourage continued improvement. “It’s going to absolutely destroy my handicap,” he said of the round, “but that’s okay. That’s what it’s for.”
In summary, Ben Kern’s performance at the 2024 PGA Championship underscores how a club professional, armed with a distinctive physical presence, a varied background, and a resilient, adaptable swing, can thrive even when birdies are at a premium. His story adds a compelling human element to the championship narrative, reminding audiences that excellence in golf is not limited to those who play the tour full‑time.