Matt McQuillan, a Canadian golfer who reached the PGA Tour after years on developmental circuits, died Wednesday at 45, his family and the
PGA Tour announced. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
McQuillan died Aug. 5 at Kingston General Hospital surrounded by family,
according to his obituary published in the Kingston Whig Standard. His family remembered him as a respected golfer, devoted son, hilarious brother, and friend.
The Kingston native earned his PGA Tour card through qualifying school in 2010 and competed on the tour during the 2011 season, according to the PGA Tour. His path included years on the Canadian Tour, now part of PGA Tour Americas, and other developmental circuits.
His strongest PGA Tour performance came at the 2011 John Deere Classic. McQuillan shot a bogey-free 64 in the final round and tied for third, the best result of his 32 PGA Tour starts. He shared third place with two-time major champion Zach Johnson.
The final-round surge drew considerable attention in Kingston as local golf fans followed McQuillan’s attempt to secure his first PGA Tour victory, the tour said. He recorded three top-10 finishes during his rookie season.
According to his PGA Tour
player profile, McQuillan also had a successful Canadian amateur career and represented his country internationally. He played college golf at Oklahoma State before transferring to the University of Georgia. He later won the 2005 Telus Edmonton Open on the Canadian Tour.
McQuillan once stepped away from competitive golf for two years before returning in 2009 and ultimately earning his tour card. At the time, he called reaching the PGA Tour a lifelong dream come true.
Golf Canada said McQuillan’s career began in Kingston and that the city remained central to his life regardless of where golf took him. The organization joined the Canadian golf community in mourning the former tour member and longtime teaching professional. He also taught the sport in his hometown.
In recent years, McQuillan worked as a teaching professional in Kingston, introducing young players to the sport and helping them develop their skills. His family said he formed lifelong friendships and mentored anyone who shared the love of golf.
Canadian professional golfer Adam Stanley also
reacted to McQuillan’s death, writing on X, “Ah - sad news indeed. Former PGA Tour player Matt McQuillan of Kingston has passed away.”
Veteran Canadian golf journalist Bob Weeks
wrote, “Gone too young. Kingston, Ont.’s Matt McQuillan, whose golf career took him to the PGA Tour, has passed away.”
Kingston sports journalist Mark Potter
called McQuillan’s death sad news from the Kingston golf community and noted that he recorded three top-10 finishes as a PGA Tour rookie in 2011.
