Career
Whelan became a professional in 1981 and gained playing privileges on the European Tour in 1987, having been unsuccessful in five previous attempts. In his career, he played in The Open Championship five times, with three made cuts. During his playing career, Whelan received coaching from David Leadbetter, who became a mentor for him when he went into golf instruction.
In 1993, he was hired by the David Leadbetter Golf Academy as European director of instruction.
Ten years later, he relocated to Bradenton, Florida in the United States to work at Leadbetter"s academy there. When then-director Gary Gilchrist left the academy in 2004, Whelan, his assistant at the time, was promoted to director
