Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Thomas Detry is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Thomas Detry is a Belgian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and became a first‑time PGA Tour winner at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open. He is known for a strong amateur background at the University of Illinois and for being one of Belgium’s leading modern golfers.
Thomas Detry’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Thomas Detry |
| Nickname | Tom Detry |
| Date of Birth | January 13, 1993 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| College | University of Illinois |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Turned Professional | 2016 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million |
| Salary | PGA Tour career earnings: $10.2+ million |
| Spouse | Sarah Detry |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @tomdetry |
Early Career
Thomas Detry’s love affair with golf began at just five years old. While he also dabbled in tennis and lawn hockey during his childhood, golf captured his heart and became his true passion. By the age of 13, young Thomas was already competing in international golf tournaments, showing early signs of the champion he would become.
His formative years were spent at the Golf Flanders Topsportschool Vlaanderen in Hasselt, Belgium, where he studied until 2012. This specialized sports school allowed him to combine his academic education with intensive golf training, setting the foundation for his future success. At just 16 years old in 2009, Detry won the Dutch Junior Open, a competition for golfers under 21, announcing his arrival on the European junior golf scene.
The breakthrough continued when he was selected for the Junior Ryder Cup team in 2010, where he met fellow Belgian golfer Thomas Pieters, who would become a lifelong friend and later his World Cup partner. Detry also represented Belgium at the prestigious Eisenhower Trophy three times, starting in 2010 when he was only 17 years old. These international experiences shaped his competitive mindset and prepared him for the professional ranks.
Professional Career
Following in the footsteps of his friend Thomas Pieters, Detry moved to the United States to study Business Management at the University of Illinois from 2012 to 2016. His collegiate career was nothing short of spectacular. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2013 and was named Big Ten Golfer of the Year in 2015, cementing his status as one of the top amateur golfers in America. In 2016, he won the Big Ten Championship and was ranked as the fifth-best amateur golfer in the world by the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He represented Europe in the Palmer Cup in both 2014 and 2015, helping Europe secure victory in 2014 with an impressive 3-1 record in his matches.
Detry turned professional in June 2016 and immediately made waves on the Challenge Tour. In August 2016, he captured his first professional title at the Bridgestone Challenge in spectacular fashion. His opening round of 60 shattered the course record at Heythrop Park Resort, and he went on to win by an astounding 12 strokes with a score of 29-under par. This margin of victory set a new Challenge Tour record and tied the record for the lowest score-to-par in Challenge Tour history. It was a statement victory that announced his arrival on the professional scene.
Wife
Thomas Detry married Sarah Taylor in November 2020, and the couple has built a beautiful family together while navigating the demanding schedule of professional golf. Sarah, originally from London, England, is more than just a supportive spouse. She previously worked as an agent for Belgian golfers including Nicolas Colsaerts and Thomas Pieters. According to Detry’s website, Sarah handles his day-to-day management duties and has been instrumental in his career success.
Thomas Detry’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Thomas Detry’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, accumulated primarily through his successful professional golf career. His career earnings on the PGA Tour alone total over $10.2 million, placing him 230th on the all-time PGA Tour career money list. Additionally, he has earned €7.27 million on the DP World Tour throughout his career.
His biggest payday came at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open where he earned $1,656,000 for his historic victory. In 2024, he earned $3.6 million on the PGA Tour with strong performances including his tied fourth finish at the PGA Championship that netted him $814,000. Beyond prize money, Detry has lucrative endorsement deals with major brands that supplement his income significantly.
Prize Money
| Year | PGA Tour Earnings | Notable Achievement |
| 2016 | N/A | Won Bridgestone Challenge (Challenge Tour) |
| 2017-2020 | N/A | Competed on DP World Tour |
| 2021 | $55,350 | PGA Tour debut |
| 2022 | $341,068 | Full PGA Tour card earned |
| 2023 | $2,201,343 | Runner-up at Butterfield Bermuda Championship |
| 2024 | $3,614,669 | T4 at PGA Championship, T14 at US Open |
| 2025 (Current) | $3,651,876 | WM Phoenix Open Champion ($1,656,000) |
| Career Total (PGA Tour) | $10,279,597 | 230th on all-time PGA Tour money list |
| Career Total (DP World Tour) | €7,274,810.95 | Multiple runner-up finishes |
Endorsements
Thomas Detry has secured endorsement deals with several prestigious brands in the golf and luxury sectors:
- Callaway Golf – Equipment sponsor; Detry plays Callaway clubs and the Chrome Tour X golf ball
- Rolex – Luxury watch sponsor; welcomed to the Rolex Family in 2017
- Hugo Boss – Apparel sponsor; has been sponsored since his early professional career
- G/FORE – Golf footwear and apparel; featured in their “As Seen on Tour” collection
- JL Audio – Audio equipment sponsor
- Mannes Official Dealer – Belgian luxury goods
Career Records
| Tournament/Achievement | Result | Score/Details | Prize Money |
| WM Phoenix Open 2025 | Winner (1st) | -24 (260), Won by 7 strokes | $1,656,000 |
| Bridgestone Challenge 2016 | Winner (1st) | -29 (259), Won by 12 strokes (Challenge Tour record) | Challenge Tour |
| World Cup of Golf 2018 | Winner (Team with Thomas Pieters) | -23 (265), Won by 3 strokes for Belgium | Team Event |
| PGA Championship 2024 | T4 | -15 | $814,000 |
| US Open 2024 | T14 | +2 (282) | Major Championship |
| Butterfield Bermuda Championship 2022 | 2nd | -18 (265), Lost by 1 stroke to Seamus Power | Runner-up finish |
| Texas Children’s Houston Open 2024 | T2 | -11 (269), Lost to Stephan Jaeger | Runner-up finish |
| Career High World Ranking | 22nd | Achieved in career | N/A |
FAQs
1. How did Thomas Detry win his first PGA Tour event?
Thomas Detry won the WM Phoenix Open on February 9, 2025, at TPC Scottsdale, finishing at twenty-four-under par and winning by seven strokes. He dominated the event from start to finish, entering the final round with a five-shot lead and maintaining composure despite charges from competitors like Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Daniel Berger. His performance included near-aces, four consecutive birdies, and exceptional ball-striking throughout the tournament.
2. What is Thomas Detry’s relationship with Thomas Pieters?
Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters are fellow Belgian golfers who studied together at the University of Illinois, forging a close friendship that has endured into their professional careers. They partnered to win Belgium’s first-ever World Cup of Golf victory in 2018 in Melbourne, Australia, and remain close friends and supporters of one another on the professional golf circuit.
3. Why is Thomas Detry called Tommy Deets?
“Tommy Deets” is simply a nickname derived from shortening his first name “Thomas” to “Tommy” and abbreviating his surname “Detry” to “Deets.” It’s commonly used by friends, fellow players, and commentators as a casual, friendly way to reference him in golf circles and media discussions.
4. Has Thomas Detry competed in Major Championships?
Yes, Thomas Detry has competed in multiple major championships. His best finish came at the 2024 PGA Championship where he tied for fourth place, marking his best performance in a major. He has also competed in the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and appeared at the Masters after his 2025 PGA Tour victory qualified him for entry.
5. What equipment does Thomas Detry use in his golf bag?
Thomas Detry is a complete Callaway equipment user, featuring their Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver, Paradym Ai Smoke HL 3-wood, Epic hybrids, and Callaway irons. He uses Callaway golf balls, wears GFore gloves and shoes, and sports Callaway apparel on the course, making him fully integrated into the Callaway professional golf family.
6. How many children does Thomas Detry have?
Thomas Detry and his wife Sarah have two daughters: Sophia Dolores, born in 2022, and Alba Elizabeth, born in 2024. The family currently resides in Dubai with plans to establish a permanent base in the United States. Thomas and Sarah speak English primarily with their daughters but intentionally use French to provide bilingual cultural education.
7. What was Thomas Detry’s amateur ranking before turning professional?
Thomas Detry achieved a peak amateur world ranking of number five before turning professional in June 2016. This ranking reflected his status as one of the world’s top young golfers and his successful collegiate career at the University of Illinois, where he won Big Ten championships and earned rookie and player of the year honors.
8. How much does Thomas Detry earn annually?
Thomas Detry’s annual earnings fluctuate significantly based on tournament success and endorsement deals. In 2025, his season earnings through December totaled $3,651,876 from PGA Tour competitions alone. His total career earnings exceed fifteen million dollars when combining all tours (PGA Tour, DP World Tour), with sponsorship deals providing additional annual income estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
9. When did Thomas Detry marry Sarah Taylor?
Thomas Detry married Sarah Taylor in November 2020. Sarah, who is originally from London, England, had previously worked as an agent for professional golfers, including Belgian players. She now manages all aspects of Thomas’s professional career, sponsorships, and business dealings while raising their two daughters.
10. What is significant about Thomas Detry’s 2025 WM Phoenix Open victory?
Thomas Detry’s victory at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open is historically significant because it made him the first Belgian professional golfer ever to win on the PGA Tour. After 68 PGA Tour starts and several runner-up finishes, this breakthrough victory validated years of consistent performances and earned him worldwide recognition as Belgium’s first PGA Tour champion. The victory came with $1.656 million in prize money and elevated him to a career-high world ranking of number twenty-two.