Ken Climo
Ken "The Champ" Climo is an American professional disc golfer considered by some to be the best professional disc golfer of all time. Climo has claimed twelve PDGA World Championship titles, including nine in as many years from 1990 to 1998. The only other golfers to achieve multiple World titles are Harold Duvall, Barry Schultz, Nate Doss, Paul McBeth, Richard Wysocki and Isaac Robinson. In addition to his world titles, Climo has an unequalled record in the United States Disc Golf Championship, earning five titles. Named PDGA player of the year seven times, Ken Climo was inducted into the PDGA Hall of Fame in 1995.
He competed in the World Championships masters division for the first time in 2012, at the age of 44, and won by a large margin, securing his 13th world championship title. He has added 2 more masters world titles to his resume since then.
During his three decades in the PDGA, Climo has notched 103 aces.
Climo, with Innova Discs, has created his own special blend of plastic, known as KC Pro. Several popular disc molds are available in KC Pro, including the Aviar and Roc. Climo spent 26 years as an Innova sponsored player before launching his own brand, Climo Disc Golf in January of 2025. His departure from the brand was announced on November 27, 2024.
Professional career
Open division
Climo has 221 wins in the Open Division, the most all-time, including 12 World Championships and 5 US Championships. He was the first player to ever win the World and US Championships in the same year.PDGA Pro World Championships">PDGA World Championships">PDGA Pro World Championships (12)
Other majors (8)
Major playoff record| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 2003 | US Disc Golf Championships | Barry Schultz | Lost to birdie on tenth extra hole |
National tour (14)
NT playoff record| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 2005 | Skylands Classic | Steve Brinster | Won on second extra hole |
| 2010 | Sunshine State Classic | Nathan Doss | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 2010 | Masters Cup | Bradley Williams | Won with par on first extra hole |
Summary
Annual statistics
| Year | Events | Wins | Top 3 | Earnings | $ / Event | Rating |
| 1988 | 7 | 1 | 3 | $408 | $58.29 | x |
| 1989 | 11 | 4 | 6 | $2,173 | $197.55 | x |
| 1990 | 15 | 9 | 13 | $6,996 | $499.71 | x |
| 1991 | 8 | 4 | 6 | $4,917 | $614.63 | x |
| 1992 | 23 | 14 | 23 | $10,667 | $463.78 | x |
| 1993 | 15 | 12 | 14 | $12,660 | $844.00 | x |
| 1994 | 17 | 11 | 17 | $11,105 | $653.24 | x |
| 1995 | 26 | 23 | 26 | $19,107 | $734.88 | x |
| 1996 | 21 | 16 | 19 | $12,523 | $596.33 | x |
| 1997 | 21 | 14 | 19 | $13,599 | $647.57 | x |
| 1998 | 22 | 13 | 19 | $17,812 | $809.64 | 1032 |
| 1999 | 20 | 15 | 19 | $22,426 | $1,121.30 | 1033 |
| 2000 | 19 | 12 | 17 | $22,096 | $1,162.95 | 1035 |
| 2001 | 19 | 8 | 15 | $17,110 | $900.53 | 1031 |
| 2002 | 18 | 6 | 14 | $30,597 | $1,699.83 | 1044 |
| 2003 | 12 | 3 | 7 | $14,121 | $1,176.75 | 1036 |
| 2004 | 16 | 5 | 11 | $26,520 | $1,657.50 | 1033 |
| 2005 | 16 | 4 | 10 | $17,080 | $1,067.50 | 1037 |
| 2006 | 19 | 8 | 11 | $22,687 | $1,194.05 | 1041 |
| 2007 | 21 | 10 | 15 | $39,210 | $1,867.14 | 1038 |
| 2008 | 15 | 4 | 8 | $13,552 | $903.47 | 1032 |
| 2009 | 17 | 7 | 10 | $14,748 | $867.53 | 1036 |
| 2010 | 19 | 6 | 13 | $19,010 | $1,000.53 | 1039 |
| 2011 | 12 | 2 | 4 | $5,580 | $465.00 | 1037 |
| 2012 | 12 | 3 | 7 | $8,265 | $688.75 | 1039 |
| 2013 | 9 | 2 | 4 | $2,461 | $273.44 | 1026 |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 | 4 | $4,647 | $774.50 | 1031 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | 5 | $5,195 | $649.38 | 1026 |
| 2016 | 5 | 2 | 3 | $1,460 | $292.00 | 1024 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | $285 | $285 | 1024 |
| Career | 448 | 221 | 341 | $398,732 | $890.03 | x |
Masters division
Although eligible for the Masters Division in 2008 when he turned 40, Climo played his first Masters event in 2012, when he won the World Championships. He has won two additional World Championships since then, bringing his total to 15.PDGA Masters World Championships(3)
National tour (6)
NT playoff record| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 2016 | Beaver State Fling | Patrick Brown | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Summary
Annual statistics
Equipment
Climo has been sponsored by Innova Champion discs throughout his career. He has a number of past and current signature discs and carries a combination of the following discs in competition:Drivers
- Boss
- Destroyer
- Firebird *
- Katana
- Starfire
- Tern *
- Wraith *
- XCaliber
- Banshee
- Eagle *
- TeeBird *
- TL
- Sidewinder
- Roc *
- Aviar *