Air Force veteran and former nuclear missile operator, 34, begins his first season on the PGA Tour playing in honor of his late brother and fellow Airman in their California home town

PGA Tour rookie Tom Whitney is not worried about the start of the 2024 season. As an Air Force veteran and former nuclear missile operator, the consequences of a failure on the connections are considerably less serious than an accident at his old course.

Additionally, as a card-carrying member of the PGA Tour, Whitney has slightly more job security than when he first played The American Express in his hometown of La Quinta, California, six years earlier.

“There was more pressure here in 2018 for a sponsor invite,” said Whitney, a graduate of La Quinta High School. “I was chatting with my caddy earlier today, and I feel like I belong here. I deserve to hold this card.”

The married father of four children plays in memory of his older brother and fellow pilot Bob, who died by suicide four years ago. Tom Whitney uses his brother’s Air Force dog tag as a ball marker.

“I think the timing is perfect,” Whitney told reporters. “God has me exactly where I need to be. Yeah, I’m just looking forward to starting my best years.”

Whitney, left, with his wife at the Air Force Academy and right, with his late brother Bob

Whitney is pictured with his wife and four children ahead of his return to the PGA Tour this year

Whitney also uses an Air Force Flacons headgear while playing, which serves as a reminder of how far he has come.

After playing collegiately for the Falcons, Whitney served four years in the Air Force as a nuclear missile operator. According to DesertSun.com, Whitney was the person the president could call when it was time to launch a major airstrike on a foreign country.

“Golf is just what I’m doing right now, and I’m completely blessed to be able to do it,” he said Tuesday, as quoted by DesertSun.com. “But I could still be in the Air Force, in a place I don’t want to be.

‘I could be in danger. I could fight enemies. I have lost friends and loved ones in the military. I have friends who are deployed. And I’m here in Palm Springs with a two mile an hour wind, 75 degrees, getting paid to play these amazing golf courses. Absolutely, I have a different perspective.”

Although Whitney considers himself lucky to play professional golf, he sometimes misses the Air Force.

“It’s not a sexy job when you’re doing it, and sometimes it can’t even be very fun,” he said. “But I’ll tell you, it wasn’t long after I broke up, left that job and started playing golf full-time to where I missed it. I totally misjudged what I had, and you think the grass is literally greener when you start the golf career, and man, I had it easy.”