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Daniel Berger is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He was born in Plantation, Florida, to Jewish parents, Nadia and Jay Berger, a former tennis pro and coach. In 2016, Berger became the first Jewish golfer in 12 years to win a Professional Golf Association (PGA) title, since Jonathan Kaye won the FBR Open in 2004. This made him the only active Jewish golfer on the PGA circuit who has won a tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Daniel F. Berger |
| Date of Birth | 7 April 1993 |
| Profession | Golfer |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Notable Achievements | Winner of the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2016 and 2017, Winner of the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2020, Winner of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2021 |
| Parents | Nadia Berger and Jay Berger |
| Siblings | Two brothers and a sister |
| Place of Birth | Plantation, Florida |
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What You'll Learn
Daniel Berger is a Jewish golfer
Daniel Berger is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He was born in Plantation, Florida, to Jewish parents, Nadia and Jay Berger. His father, Jay, is a former tennis pro, coach, and head of men's tennis for the United States Tennis Association. Jay Berger was ranked seventh in the world in 1990 and was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Daniel Berger grew up in Key Biscayne and Jupiter, Florida, and began playing golf at the age of ten. He took lessons from PGA Master Professional Kevin Perkins and attended his golf camp, falling in love with the game. At a young age, Berger expressed his aspiration to become a professional golfer.
Berger had early success in golf, finishing tied for 22nd in the US Kids International Championship at the age of twelve. He later moved with his family to Jupiter, Florida, where he had his first hole-in-one at the age of thirteen. After graduating from high school in 2011, Berger played college golf at Florida State University in Tallahassee. In the spring of 2013, he won both the SunTrust Gator Invitational and the Seminole Intercollegiate, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with a 69.36 stroke average. Later that year, he qualified for the Web.com Tour and played in four events.
In 2014, Berger finished second at the TPC Stonebrae Championship and ranked 15th in the season-long Web.com Tour standings, earning him a promotion to the PGA Tour for the 2014-15 season. He continued to impress, making the cut in 17 out of 31 events and achieving six top-10 finishes. In 2015, he was named PGA "Rookie of the Year". Berger won his first PGA title in 2016 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, earning $1.1 million. This made him the first Jewish golfer in 12 years to win a Professional Golf Association (PGA) title.
Berger has since gone on to win several more tournaments, including the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2020 and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2021. He is known for his precision with irons and his ability to make nerve-wracking putts. As of 2021, he is the only active Jewish golfer on the PGA circuit who has won a tournament. Outside of his athletic achievements, Daniel Berger is also recognized for his competitive spirit and determination, attributes he credits to his father's influence and success in tennis.
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Berger's father, Jay Berger, is a former tennis pro
Daniel Berger is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He was born in Plantation, Florida, to Jewish parents Nadia and Jay Berger. Jay Berger, Daniel's father, is a former tennis pro, ranked seventh in the world in 1990. He was also a tennis coach and the head of men's tennis for the United States Tennis Association. Jay Berger's success in tennis influenced his son's competitive spirit and ambition. Daniel Berger credits his father for instilling in him a strong work ethic and a desire to excel in sports.
Jay Berger's tennis career is notable not only for his world ranking but also for his contributions as a coach. After his professional tennis career, Jay transitioned into coaching and became the head coach of the men's and women's tennis teams at the University of Miami. Jay's coaching extended beyond the tennis court, as he played a pivotal role in nurturing his son's golfing talent. Daniel Berger's success in golf can be partly attributed to the sports heritage within his family, with his father leaving an indelible mark on his athletic journey.
Jay Berger's own tennis career benefited from his exposure to tennis at a young age. This early introduction to the sport likely influenced his approach to nurturing Daniel's interest in golf. Jay understood the importance of both physical demands and mental fortitude in sports, and he passed on this knowledge to his son. Daniel Berger's success in golf, including his PGA Tour wins and rankings, can be partly attributed to the sports genes and guidance he inherited from his father.
The influence of Jay Berger on his son's athletic development is evident in Daniel Berger's success in golf. Daniel's accomplishments, such as winning the FedEx St. Jude Classic, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and achieving rankings within the top 30 in the world, reflect the impact of his father's guidance and sports heritage. Jay Berger's legacy in tennis continues to inspire his son's pursuit of excellence in golf, leaving a lasting impact on his sporting career.
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Berger's PGA Tour wins
Daniel Berger is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He was born in Plantation, Florida, and grew up in Key Biscayne, Florida. He began playing golf at the age of 10 and later moved to Jupiter, Florida, where he had his first hole-in-one at the age of 13. Berger played college golf at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he won the SunTrust Gator Invitational and the Seminole Intercollegiate in the spring of 2013.
Berger turned pro at the age of 20 in 2013 and qualified for the Web.com Tour, playing in four events. The following year, he finished second at the TPC Stonebrae Championship and ranked 15th in the season-long Web.com Tour standings, earning him a promotion to the PGA Tour for the 2014-15 season. In March 2015, he shot a 6-under-par 64 in the final round of the Honda Classic, making it into a sudden-death playoff. Although he lost to Pádraig Harrington, this would have been the second-largest final-round comeback in PGA Tour history.
Berger gained his first PGA Tour win in June 2016 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis. He earned $1.1 million and moved to 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking. He successfully defended his FedEx St. Jude Classic title in 2017, moving up to 24th in the world rankings. By July of that year, he was ranked 20th.
Berger's other PGA Tour wins include the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2020, which was the first tournament played after a three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He received a winner's check of $1.375 million. In February 2021, Berger won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, clinching victory with an eagle on the 18th hole. He earned $1.4 million for that win.
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Berger's ranking on 'The Best PGA Golfers Now' list
Daniel Berger is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. Berger's ranking on the PGA Tour has fluctuated over the years, with several notable achievements.
Berger turned pro at the age of 20 in 2013 and quickly found success. In 2015, he was named PGA "Rookie of the Year" and achieved several top-10 finishes in his rookie season. The following year, in 2016, he earned his first PGA Tour win at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, which moved him to 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Berger continued his winning streak in 2017, successfully defending his FedEx St. Jude Classic title and improving his ranking to 24th in the world. By July of that year, he had climbed to 20th in the world rankings. He also made the 2017 US Presidents Cup Team.
In 2018, Berger experienced more success, shooting a third-round 66 at the U.S. Open, which put him in a four-way tie for the lead. However, he ultimately finished in a tie for 6th place.
After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Berger returned to the PGA Tour and won the 2020 Charles Schwab Challenge, earning him a ranking of 31st in the world. He also won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2021, showcasing his consistent performance.
While the most recent ranking mentioned is 31st in the world in 2021, it is unclear what his current ranking is as of 2025. However, an ESPN article from February 2025 mentions that Berger has had three top-25 finishes in six starts this season, indicating that he is still performing well and likely remains highly ranked.
Overall, Daniel Berger has had a successful career on the PGA Tour, with multiple wins and consistently high rankings. While his exact ranking on the "Best PGA Golfers Now" list is unknown, his accomplishments and earnings place him among the top golfers in the world.
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Other Jewish golfers
Daniel Berger is indeed Jewish. He is the son of Jay Berger, a former tennis pro, coach, and head of men's tennis for the United States Tennis Association. Jay Berger was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Daniel Berger is the only active Jewish golfer on the PGA circuit who has won a tournament.
- Max Homa, who has six PGA Tour wins, including the Wells Fargo and Genesis Invitational titles. He also represented the US in the Presidents and Ryder Cup teams.
- Matthew Wolff, a California native who was raised Jewish but converted to Christianity in college. He rose to fame with his win at the 2019 3M Open and has since had multiple top finishes.
- Rob Oppenheim, a native of Salem, MA, who won the 2015 Air Capital Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour.
- Corey Pavin, who grew up Jewish but became a born-again Christian during his prime tour years.
- Morris Hatalsky, a putting whiz.
- Laetitia Beck, an LPGA rookie who wears the Israeli flag on her shoes.
- David Lipsky, a Californian of Korean descent who won the Asian Tour's Order of Merit in 2017.
- Alexander Levy, a Jewish Frenchman born in California.
- Morgan Pressel, the only active Jewish golfer to have won professional tournaments (two) on the LPGA circuit.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Daniel Berger is Jewish. He is the son of Jewish parents, Nadia and Jay Berger.
Daniel Berger is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.
Daniel Berger is the first Jewish golfer in 12 years to win a Professional Golf Association (PGA) title. He won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2016 and 2017, the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2020, and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2021.
Daniel Berger's father, Jay Berger, is a former tennis pro, coach, and head of men's tennis for the United States Tennis Association. His mother, Nadia Berger, is also mentioned in some sources. His grandmother, Roslyn "Cookie" Swift Berger, was an accomplished amateur golfer inducted into the Greater Buffalo, New York Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Daniel Berger's father, Jay Berger, was a top professional tennis player ranked seventh in the world in 1990. Jay was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Daniel's tennis roots also extend to his great-uncle, Aaron Krickstein, who teamed with Jay Berger on the 1990 U.S. Davis Cup tennis team.
