PGA Tour rookie Max Greyserman is making waves in the golf world! His 2024 season marked a remarkable comeback from a wrist injury, which once threatened to derail his career and even led him to consider a different path. Against all odds, the 29-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting players to watch. 

Fans are eager to learn more about the man behind the golf swing. But amidst his impressive performances on the course, a question has sparked curiosity: Is Max Greyserman Ukrainian? Let’s get to know how his background influenced his first step towards golf stardom.

Max Greyserman’s golfing journey with his Ukrainian roots

Greyserman’s journey in golf began with a chance encounter. His parents, who emigrated from the former Soviet Union to the United States as teenagers, brought him to the driving range as a baby in a stroller while they received free golf lessons. As he recalled, ”We had been living in New Jersey, and they would come down here during the winter for vacation, as most people do from the New York metro area because the weather’s nice here.”Moreover, his parents’ remarkable journey to the United States laid the foundation for his future success.

Greyserman further added, “They told me that they saw an ad for free golf lessons from Mike Adams, who’s a well-known instructor. That’s how my parents kind of first found out about golf.” Notably, his parents met while attending Rutgers University, and later migrated to the US. The golfer was born on 31 May 1995 in Short Hills, Millburn, New Jersey, United States. This makes his nationality American, but since his parents are from Ukraine, that’s what his ethnicity is.

When they moved to the US, the couple also brought a strong Ukrainian heritage with them that has had a profound impact on their son’s life and golf career. Building on his early exposure, the PGA Tour rookie’s passion for golf grew. At age 8, his parents considered moving to Florida from Short Hills, New Jersey and rented a villa overlooking the first fairway of the Fazio course at PGA National. This experience solidified their decision to move and further sparked Greyserman’s interest in golf. He recalls, “That’s kind of what made my parents decide to move to Florida and kind of got me more into golf as well.” 

Moreover, “that was the first time I was able to play in the winter,” said the 29-year-old. He then continued to build on his momentum and played collegiate golf at Duke University. Additionally, he studied public policy and economics there as a fallback plan to pursue a career in finance. But in 2022, that backup plan suddenly seemed like the only viable option as an injury threatened to derail his golf career.

Greyserman’s renewed mindset sparked success

After graduating in 2017, Greyserman turned pro and played on the Canadian Tour before joining the Korn Ferry Tour. However, the nagging wrist injury and fractured lunate forced him to undergo surgery in April 2022. Despite attempting a comeback in August, the pain persisted, leading him to consider retirement. 

The rookie said, “After I came back from surgery, I thought I was done playing.” But after taking an extended break, he returned with resilience to play in January 2023, pain-free, and played exceptionally well. It was his fourth Korn Ferry Tournament, and his “plan is to play” paid off. 

The golfer finished No. 9 in the points standings and earned his PGA Tour card, all thanks to his newfound self-belief and a fresh perspective. 

As Max Greyserman’s golf career continues to soar, it’s fascinating to look back at the humble beginnings that sparked his passion for the sport. Share your resemblance to his journey so far in the comments section below.