He may travel the world to compete against the best golfers, but Gavin Green’s heart is always at home. As Malaysia’s top golf star and the first to play full-time on the DP World Tour (also known as the European Tour), Gavin is not only making history—he’s also inspiring the next generation of local golfers with his humble spirit and powerful drive.

From PJ to the World
Gavin was born in Klang Valley and spent his early years in Petaling Jaya before moving to Melaka when he was five. It was there that he first picked up a golf club during a family outing. “My parents were just starting out in golf and brought me along to the driving range,” he recalls. “I asked to try, and the moment I held the club, I sent it flying—literally!”
That moment sparked a lifelong passion. His parents saw his excitement and made him buy his first junior golf set using his angpow money, teaching him about commitment. “That was my first real investment,” he says with a laugh.

Inspired by a Legend
Like many young golfers, Gavin grew up watching Tiger Woods, dreaming of one day following in his footsteps. “He inspired me a lot. I wanted to be like him,” he shares.
By age seven, Gavin was already competing in tournaments. He joined Malaysia’s national team at a young age and earned several wins in college. “When I reached number 4 in the world amateur rankings during my final year in college, I knew I had a shot at turning professional.”

The Challenges of Going Pro
Turning pro came with its own challenges. “It’s not just about playing golf anymore,” he explains. “Every shot matters—because every shot is tied to your earnings, your ranking, and your future.”
As the only Malaysian on the DP World Tour, Gavin plays in places like Europe, the UK, South Africa and the Middle East—all far from home. “I don’t base myself overseas. I prefer to live in Malaysia. It’s home for me. But the constant travel does come with high costs and getting sponsors is difficult.”

Still, Gavin’s hard work paid off. In 2017, he became the first Malaysian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit, giving him full access to the European Tour.

Down-to-Earth and Proudly Malaysian
While he’s serious on the course, off the course Gavin is just like any other Malaysian. “I’m super competitive when I play—I hate losing. But off the course, I’m a simple guy. I love my nasi lemak, roti canai, and dim sum. I love being at home and hanging out with friends and family.”

Despite his success, Gavin says people sometimes think he’s unfriendly. “I’m actually just a shy person. I like keeping things low-key.”

Training, Mindset and Staying Motivated
Gavin takes his training seriously. “I work closely with my coach, Chris O’Connell, and my trainer, Joel McGuire, to make sure I stay strong, flexible and injury-free,” he says. Cardio, stretching, and strength training are part of his regular routine.

Mentally, staying focused is just as important. “Golf can be lonely. When you miss cuts or go through a bad season, it’s tough. But I remind myself why I started. I focus on progress, not just results.”
He also credits his support system for keeping him grounded—his parents, younger brother Galven (who’s also a pro golfer), his caddy Luke, and a close circle of friends.

Representing Malaysia with Pride
Among his proudest moments are playing in three Olympic Games—Rio, Tokyo, and most recently, Paris. “It’s always a huge honour to represent Malaysia, not just at the Olympics, but every week on tour.”

He’s also proud to be playing at the highest levels of the sport and hopes to one day earn his PGA Tour card. “Right now, I’m focusing on being consistent—playing well week in and week out.”

Giving Back to the Game
Beyond competing, Gavin is passionate about growing golf in Malaysia. In 2019, he organised the Gavin Green–SportExcel Junior Amateur, a fun and successful tournament for young players.
“We had clinics, food trucks, a DJ... it was a full experience. I wanted to show kids that golf can be fun and exciting,” he says. While he personally funded most of the event and couldn't sustain it long-term, the response was overwhelming.

More recently, Gavin co-captained the Albatross Cup, a Ryder Cup-style event held at Seri Selangor, alongside fellow Malaysian golf icon Danny Chia. “It was such a fun event. The crowd loved it, and it really helped build excitement around the game.”

Looking Ahead
In the coming years, Gavin aims to break into more Major championships, continue improving his game, and inspire more young Malaysians to pursue golf. “I don’t know if I’ll go into coaching yet, but I already help my brother and some friends whenever I can.”

When asked about his legacy, Gavin answers simply: “I want to be remembered as someone who played with heart, represented Malaysia with pride, and helped lift the sport in our country. That would mean everything to me.”

With talent, humility and an unshakeable love for home, Gavin Green is not just chasing trophies—he’s building a legacy. And as he continues to shine on the world stage, one thing’s clear: Malaysia couldn’t ask for a better ambassador in golf.