Thomas Detry etched his name in golf history on February 9, 2025, with a dominant seven-stroke victory at the WM Phoenix Open. The Belgian golfer’s final-round 65 at TPC Scottsdale capped off an impressive 24-under-par performance, setting a tournament record since the course’s 2015 redesign. For Detry, this breakthrough moment came after nearly a decade of grinding on professional tours—a stark contrast to the rapid success enjoyed by some of his younger competitors.

In a recent interview on Golf Channel’s 5 Clubs show, Detry shared a fascinating perspective on why some players take longer to reach the winner’s circle. When host Gary Williams asked about comparing oneself to other players, Detry recalled an eye-opening interaction with nine-time major champion Gary Player during a round in Sun City, South Africa. “We kind of had a conversation about, you know, he was wondering why I hadn’t won,” Detry explained. “He was kind of almost telling me off why I hadn’t won.”

Detry’s response to Player was both humble and thought-provoking. “I think that there’s a bit of genetics in that sense that for some players, it comes easier, and for other players, it just has to work harder,” he said. The Belgian went on to explain that it took him nearly nine years to secure his first PGA Tour victory, a journey filled with self-doubt and constant questioning.

This genetic theory became particularly clear to Detry when observing the meteoric rise of Ludvig Aberg. “Everything comes a little bit easier to him,” Detry noted about the young Swede who turned professional in June 2023 and won his first PGA Tour event just five months later. “He’s obviously very hardworking, but maybe those winning moments will come a little bit easier for some people than others.”

The contrast between Aberg’s rapid ascent and Detry’s nine-year journey highlights the different paths golfers take to succeed. “It took me a little bit more time and a little bit more hard work, especially on the Mind side of things, to get that first W,” Detry admitted. After years of self-doubt and questioning, Detry finally developed the mental fortitude that helped him close with four consecutive birdies at TPC Scottsdale to secure his commanding victory.

Detry’s genetic theory applies to more than just his career—it’s reflected in the journeys of many accomplished golfers throughout history.

Like Thomas Detry, these late bloomers defied the genetic clock

Detry’s perspective finds validation in the career of Paul McGinley, whom he specifically referenced during the interview. “Paul McGinley… told me the same thing,” Detry said. “For Paul, it took him 15 years, I think, to reach the Ryder Cup.” The Irish golfer, who would later captain Europe to a Ryder Cup victory in 2014, endured a long path to golf’s elite competitive stages.

Perhaps no golfer challenges genetic determinism more than Vijay Singh. The Fijian’s journey included working as a club pro in Borneo before his European Tour career began at 25. While his first PGA Tour win came at 30, an astonishing 22 of his 34 PGA Tour victories occurred after he turned 40. At 41, Singh became the oldest player to top the Official World Golf Ranking.

Larry Nelson’s story is even more remarkable. After serving in Vietnam, Nelson didn’t take up golf until age 21. Despite this extremely late start, he earned his PGA Tour card at 27 and captured three major championships—the 1981 and 1987 PGA Championships and the 1983 U.S. Open. His success directly challenges the notion that early specialization is essential for greatness in golf.

For these players, the journey isn’t about lacking talent but about finding the mental approach that allows them to finally break through. Whether it’s genetics, psychology, or some combination of both, Detry’s perspective offers comfort to players still waiting for their breakthrough.