Kenyon wins John Jacobs coaching award

Phil Kenyon, putting coach to some of the world’s top golfers, has become the latest winner of the prestigious John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching.

The John Jacobs Award is the PGAs of Europe’s highest coaching accolade and is presented to a PGA Professional who has excelled as a golf coach at all levels of the game.

PGA Master Professional Kenyon was selected by the awards panel in recognition of his continued success working with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Francesco Molinari, as well as the other half of ‘Moliwood’ and another European Tour Race to Dubai Champion, Tommy Fleetwood.

“It is obviously a great honour – John Jacobs is a pioneer of golf coaching so to be even just associated with John is fantastic,” said Kenyon.

“But I just enjoy working in golf, and week to week there are highlights for me. Helping players have good tournaments or keeping their tour card, or simply helping aspiring amateurs knock shots off their handicaps – I enjoy it all really and I am very lucky in that respect.”

Phil Kenyon pictured above with former world number one Rory McIlroy.

Having been introduced to the game by his parents and playing at a high amateur level, Kenyon concentrated on his academic studies before turning professional, completing an undergraduate degree in psychology and sports science and a Masters degree in sport science at Liverpool John Moores University.

After competing worldwide as a tournament professional, on developmental tours, he decided to go into coaching and began his PGA training.  Having known and worked with the legendary putting expert, Harold Swash, for a number of years, Kenyon was able to absorb much of his knowledge, shadowing him in his work with many of the top players of that time.

Since Swash’s passing, Kenyon has taken on the Swash Putting business and works out of the Putting Solutions studio at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, in the north of England, as well as at sites in Lancashire, England, and Georgia, USA.

“There’s many things that I’ve enjoyed, and got a lot of satisfaction from, in my career,” added Kenyon.  “Being involved with guys that have won majors – Darren Clarke, Henrik Stenson, Francesco Molinari – have been great experiences.  I’ve really enjoyed the Ryder Cups that I have been involved with as well."