Abraham Ancer Facts: 25 Things You Didn't Know About The Pro Golfer

Get to know professional golfer Abraham Ancer a little better with these facts about his life and career to date

Abraham Ancer takes a shot at LIV Golf Singapore
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Abraham Ancer is a professional golfer who has competed and won on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League in a long and successful career so far. Here are 25 facts about him so that you can learn more.

Abraham Ancer Facts

1. Ancer was born in McAllen, Texas on February 27, 1991 but lived the first part of his life in Reynosa, Mexico. He returned to the US later on and attended school in Mission, Texas. As a result, he has dual citizenship.

2. He learned how to play golf at Club Campestre de Reynosa.

3. Ancer's early golf memories include beating his dad for the first time and meeting Jack Nicklaus.

4. His infatuation with the game came from his father, who sadly died in 2014 before his career truly took off.

5. He played golf at Odessa College and the University of Oklahoma and had the second best career scoring average in Oklahoma school history, behind Anthony Kim.

6. Ancer graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2013 with a degree in General Studies.

7. Ancer turned pro in 2013 and spent one full season on the Korn Ferry Tour (what was then the Web.com Tour) before winning the Nova Scotia Open and ultimately graduating onto the PGA Tour ahead of the 2016 campaign.

8. The Mexican-American golfer returned to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2017 before finishing third in the KFT money list and heading straight back to the PGA Tour.

9. He claims to have made 14 aces throughout his life.

10. He became the first Mexican to play in the Presidents Cup in 2019 and was the International team's joint-top point scorer with 3.5 points from five matches. His only loss came against Tiger Woods in the singles.

abraham ancer and tiger woods shaking hands

Abraham Ancer and Tiger Woods shake hands at the 2019 Presidents Cup

(Image credit: Getty Images)

11. Away from the course, Ancer co-founded Flecha Azul, a company that produces ultra-premium tequila. Ancer formed the company with Aron Marquez and the manufacturing process actually takes place in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. You can now find the brand all over the world.

12. In the past he has said that if he wasn't a golfer he would pursue race-car driving. He also said that he would most like to change places with Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel for a day because "to drive an F1 car is way too much fun."

13. Two of Ancer's bucket-list activities include jumping out of an airplane and flying a fighter jet.

14. Ancer made his Olympic debut for Mexico at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He finished T14 alongside Norway's Viktor Hovland on 12-under.

Ancer holds the trophy

Ancer holds the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational trophy

(Image credit: Getty Images)

15. In August 2021, Ancer followed friend and fellow countryman Carlos Ortiz in becoming the fourth Mexican player ever to win a PGA Tour event after lifting the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. It also meant that - because the event was co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour - Ancer became the first Mexican ever to win a European Tour title as well.

16. He joined the LIV Golf League in June 2022 and went on to sign for Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC.

17. Ancer has three team titles with Fireballs and one individual victory which came at LIV Golf Hong Kong in March 2024.

Abraham Ancer poses with the 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong trophy

(Image credit: Getty Images)

18. His nicknames are 'Honest Abe' and 'El Turco' - which means The Turk in Spanish. After the 2021 Valspar Championship, Ancer said this about the origins of the nickname: "It's been a while [had the nickname]. Right after I turned pro, my buddy Rudolfo Cazaubon, I played with him growing up, he, in an interview, he just said -- it's a long story to get to El Turco, but he gave me the nickname."

19. Ancer has won six tournaments in his professional career - including the PIF Saudi International.

20. He won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games by one stroke from Colombia's Sebastian Munoz.

Abraham Ancer Gold Medal

Abraham Ancer won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games

(Image credit: Getty Images)

21. Ancer's best-ever finish at a Major arrived in 2021 when he ended T8 at the PGA Championship.

22. He is also a fan of hunting, going to the shooting range and soccer.

23. He enjoys collecting putters.

24. Ancer said the greatest influence on his golfing career was his father while the golfer he most admired growing up was Seve Ballesteros.

25. His favorite quote is from American author Zig Ziglar, who said: "You are the only person on earth who can use your ability."

Abraham Ancer Bio

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BornFebruary 27, 1991 - McAllen, Texas
Height5ft 7in (1.70m)
CollegeOdessa College, University of Oklahoma
Turned professional2013
Current toursLIV Golf League, Asian Tour
Former toursPGA Tour, European Tour, Korn Ferry Tour
Professional wins6
Best OWGR11th

Abraham Ancer Professional Wins

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EventTourWinning Score
2015 Nova Scotia OpenWeb.com-13 (playoff)
2018 Emirates Australian OpenPGA Tour of Australasia-16 (five strokes)
2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude InvitationalPGA Tour/European Tour-16 (playoff)
2023 PIF Saudi InternationalAsian Tour-19 (two strokes)
2023 Pan American GamesPan American Games-21 (one stroke)
2024 LIV Golf Hong KongLIV Golf League-13 (playoff)
Jonny Leighfield
Staff Writer

Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.

With contributions from