Jason Caron, a 52-year-old golf professional from New York, has recently been making waves on the senior tour. After spending time on the PGA and Korn Ferry tours in the early 2000s, Caron transitioned to a career as a club pro at Mill River Club in Oyster Bay, N.Y. alongside his wife, Liz, a former LPGA Tour player. In the past five months, Caron has been on an incredible run, starting with a T4 finish at the 2024 Senior PGA Championship, the best finish by a club pro since 2002.
Caron’s journey continued with solid performances at the American Family Insurance Championship, the U.S. Senior Open, and the Rogers Charity Classic. Despite missing the cut at the U.S. Senior Open, Caron’s determination led to a T3 finish at the Rogers Charity Classic, earning him a spot in the Ally Challenge field. Subsequent strong finishes at the Constellation Furyk & Friends and the SAS Championship paved the way for Caron to qualify for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship’s playoff series.
With $446,734 in earnings this year, Caron’s story took an exciting turn at the Simmons Bank Championship where he fired an opening-round 65, placing him in contention just three strokes off the lead. A strong performance at this event could potentially propel Caron from No. 53 to No. 35 on the points list, securing him a full exemption on the PGA Tour Champions for 2025. Additionally, the top 36 players on the points list at the end of the tournament earn entry into the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November with a chance to win a $1 million bonus.
Despite the stakes, Caron remains focused on staying in the present moment and not getting too far ahead of himself. With a job he loves as a head golf professional and two young daughters at home, Caron sees his time on the senior tour as a bonus rather than a necessity. He acknowledges the privilege of being able to compete at this level while maintaining a fulfilling life outside of golf. Depending on the outcome of the Simmons Bank Championship, Caron’s bonus could turn out to be bigger than he anticipated, potentially leading to a transformative opportunity on the PGA Tour Champions.
