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Age is Nothing But a Number for Jim Furyk

Published

3 years ago

January 14, 2022

The BLOG MAN

So what if Jim Furyk is 51.

So what if he won the Sony Open in Hawaii in 1996 and his most recent win on the PGA Tour came in 2015.

So what if he’s playing in next week’s Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, the 2022 kickoff for the PGA Tour Champions.

Count him out at this week’s Sony Open at your own peril.

The winner of 17 PGA Tour titles, among them the 2003 U.S. Open, shot an 8-under 62 Thursday to trail defending champion Kevin Na by one shot through 18 holes of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Furyk is the second oldest player in the field (Jerry Kelly has him by four years) and punctuated his round with an ace on the par-3 17th, which came after making three consecutive birdies.

“I’ve always loved being here,” said Furyk, who has three Champions victories, including the 2021 U.S. Senior Open. “I love Sony. It’s a place I had a lot of success. I think I lost in a playoff in ’97. Had a lot of top 10s here. Love the course.

An ace for the leader @SonyOpenHawaii! ?@JimFuryk makes the sixth hole-in-one of his career and first since 2011. pic.twitter.com/UX5aXi0tb2— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 13, 2022

“I’m not hitting the ball far enough to compete out here on a regular basis on a lot of the golf courses. But Waialae is a place I still feel I can get around and shoot under par pretty well and so it’s fun.”

It was Furyk’s sixth PGA Tour ace and he used a 6-iron.

“Caught it just a smidge high in the face,” he said. “And so I loved the line it was on but I wasn’t quite sure I caught enough of it to cover it. And carried on the green probably two or three yards and landed in a perfect spot and then released towards the pin. I guess that’s kind of the line I was looking. You never want to miss that green right. Want to make sure I hit it solid to cover.”

Na, who also shot 61 last year en route to his fifth PGA Tour title, hit every fairway in regulation and was bogey free. He said he started thinking about shooting a 59 when he made eagle on the ninth hole to move to 6 under. A birdie on the 10th got him to 7 under, but he missed some good scoring chances coming in and recorded his fifth 61 or better on Tour.

Na needed 369 starts to get his first PGA Tour win – the 2011 Justin Timberlake Shriner’s Hospital for Children Open – but has won once in each of the past four seasons.

“I played unbelievably well. I did everything well today and my iron play was amazing. My distance control has been great,” said Na, who began his round shortly after Furyk completed his. “For playing a brand new ball, I’m doing pretty well controlling my distance. And I tell you what, I had a chance for a 59. I gave it all I could. I’m a little disappointed my putts didn’t fall, some of the good putts that I hit didn’t fall. But it’s still a good round.

“It was nice to see Jim shoot 61, what an incredible round and how good he is, still is, at age 52, is it? 51? That’s incredible. I hope some day to be that good when I’m 51. It just shows you that it’s out there. I felt like, you know, a good round could be somewhere near that.”

gave it all I got trying to shoot 59.
61 is still not bad haha— Kevin Na (@kevinna915) January 14, 2022

Joining Furyk at 62 was 2013 Sony Open champion Russell Henley.

At 63 were Kevin Chappell, Michael Thompson, Seamus Power and Patton Kizzire. At 64 were six players, including Ryan Palmer and Matt Kuchar.

Chappell, who had been bothered by back ailments for years, had microdiscectomy and laminectomy surgery on his back in 2018. In his first start after the procedure, he shot a 59 in the 2019 Military Tribute at the Greenbrier. But he’s struggled since returning; he hasn’t had a top-10 finish in 31 starts since.

“I definitely had some lingering stuff going last year coming from my back, and kind of end of the year I decided, I wasn’t good physically, I wasn’t good mentally and I needed to take some time (off),” Chappell said. “The Tour has been phenomenal with that, supporting me. Really dove into the mental side and believe it or not, the better I got mentally, the better my back got.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been great. Every tee shot is still uncomfortable for me, but it’s such a wonderful place to be. I’ve been working my ass off, excuse my language. Like I said, I didn’t expect it, but I’m not surprised. I’ve been seeing some good stuff at home and really proud of the work I’ve done.”

Furyk, the only player in PGA Tour history to shoot two sub-60 rounds and the only player to sign for a 58, shot his lowest total score since shooting 65 in the 2019 World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. He last won on the PGA Tour since in 2015 RBC Heritage.

After starting with a 3-putt from 85 feet, Furyk made 150 feet of putts, including birdie putts of 11, 16, 25, 31 and 33 feet, as well as two two-footers.

“Everything was kind of at the hole and on target,” he said.

Furyk said he played a practice round with Brent Grant this week and Grant called him “sir.”

“Later on he asked me what I liked most about the Champions Tour, and I said, ‘No one calls me ‘sir,’” Furyk said. “He said his dad would be angry with him if he didn’t.”

Furyk knows his age will come up when he’s contending on the PGA Tour. So, naturally, he was asked about his good friend, Phil Mickelson, who at 50 became the oldest player to win a major in last year’s PGA Championship, and Bernhard Langer, who won a Champions Tour event last year at age 64.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek.

Blog

How Weather Shapes the Game of Golf

The wind roared across Royal Troon, but the spirit of one determined golfer proved unshakable, a testament to the resilience that defines the game.

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Robert Greenfield

It was a day that began like any other at Royal Troon, the sea breeze whispering across the links as early morning dew sparkled under the Scottish sun. But as the players teed off, the skies turned darker, and the wind began to roar—a ferocious, unrelenting force that turned the course into a battlefield.

A Test of Skill and Resilience

In the world of golf, weather is the great equalizer. It can humble the strongest players, turning even a simple par-four into an epic struggle. That day at Royal Troon was no exception. As the wind howled, the carefully groomed fairways became a treacherous maze. Players who had practiced their swings tirelessly found themselves grappling with gusts that sent their drives veering unpredictably.

Among them was a young competitor named Callum, playing his first Open Championship. Watching from the stands, I marveled at how this newcomer faced the elements with unyielding determination. His drives sliced through the gale with a low trajectory, and his putts danced on the greens, refusing to be dictated by the storm. Callum wasn’t just playing golf; he was wrestling with the very soul of the course.

A Battle of Wits and Nature

Weather has always been an integral part of the game. At St. Andrews, golfers often contend with rain showers that come as suddenly as a whispered secret. At Augusta, the swirling winds around Amen Corner have broken many a championship dream. But it is on the windswept links of the British Isles where weather becomes a character in the story, its presence felt in every decision, every shot.

That day, Callum made his stand. On the infamous 8th hole—The Postage Stamp—where the green is small and the stakes high, his precision was a sight to behold. The crowd held its breath as he selected his wedge, adjusted for the gale, and executed a shot that landed softly, mere feet from the pin. It was a masterstroke, the kind that resonates long after the final score is recorded.

A Lasting Memory

Callum didn’t win that day. But as the storm cleared and the sun broke through, his courage and adaptability left an indelible mark on all who watched. Weather had tested him, and though the elements won the round, they couldn’t extinguish the fire of a player determined to rise.

Golf isn’t just about clubs and courses. It’s about moments like these—when players confront nature’s raw power and find within themselves the skill, resilience, and courage to keep going. The wind roared that day, but so did Callum’s spirit, echoing across the links and into the hearts of everyone present.

Blog

Maintenance during the off season

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Resident PGA Pro

Ever wonder what kind of repairs you can do to keep your clubs in shape during the off season?

Many of us find the grips on our clubs starting to wear down and nothing brings new life into your older clubs like a new set of grips.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a small fortune having someone else do this for you, this handy DIY video by Coach Lockey will show you how to replace your grips at home. Click below and have a watch. Then see some of our suggestions for new grips you can buy today.

Blog

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Golfers

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

The BLOG MAN

Hey there, golf fans and last-minute shoppers! Can you believe it? We’re down to just 9 days until Christmas, and this year, Hanukkah also starts on the 25th, too! If you’ve got a golfer in your life, the clock is ticking to grab that perfect gift. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some amazing last-minute ideas that will arrive in time, thanks to Amazon’s super-fast shipping.

So, skip the stress and check out these top picks that will make any golfer light up like the holiday tree or menorah this year. Let’s dive in!

1. Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls

Golfers can never have too many golf balls, and Callaway’s Supersoft is one of the best around. Known for its soft feel and incredible distance, it’s perfect for players of all skill levels. Plus, it’s an easy, no-brainer gift that any golfer will appreciate.

Why it’s great:

Affordable and high-quality
Available in fun colors like yellow and matte pink
Ready to ship and arrive before the holidays

👉 Buy Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls on Amazon

2. PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer

Help the golfer in your life sharpen their short game with this ingenious training tool. The PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer is compact, effective, and ideal for indoor practice—perfect for winter days away from the course.

Why it’s great:

Builds confidence in putting
Lightweight and portable
A hit among golfers of all levels

👉 Buy PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer on Amazon

3. Golf Trunk Organizer

This gift is a game-changer for staying organized. The Samsonite Golf Trunk Organizer is perfect for stashing shoes, gloves, tees, and other golf gear in one tidy place. It’s functional, practical, and will earn you big points for thoughtfulness.

Why it’s great:

Keeps gear neat and ready for action
Fits easily in any car trunk
Arrives quickly with Prime shipping

👉 Buy Samsonite Golf Trunk Organizer on Amazon

4. Titleist Players Golf Glove

A good golf glove can make all the difference in grip and comfort, and Titleist is a trusted brand. This premium glove is a simple yet thoughtful gift that will see plenty of use on the course.

Why it’s great:

High-quality construction
Comfortable fit and feel
Available for fast shipping

👉 Buy Titleist Players Golf Glove on Amazon

5. Garmin Approach G12 GPS Rangefinder

For the tech-savvy golfer, the Garmin Approach G12 is a small but mighty gadget that provides distances to the green, hazards, and more. It clips onto a bag or belt, making it easy to use during a round.

Why it’s great:

Compact and accurate
Preloaded with 42,000 courses
Ships in time for the holidays

👉 Buy Garmin Approach G12 on Amazon

6. Funny Golf T-Shirts

Every golfer loves a little humor on the course. A witty golf-themed T-shirt is a fun, budget-friendly option that’s sure to get laughs and compliments.

Why it’s great:

Tons of designs to choose from
Budget-friendly and personal
Many options with next-day delivery

👉 Browse Funny Golf T-Shirts on Amazon

7. Practice Golf Net

A home practice net is a dream for golfers who want to perfect their swing without leaving the house. It’s the gift of endless practice, even in the off-season.

Why it’s great:

Easy to set up in a backyard or garage
Perfect for winter training
Many available for fast delivery

👉 Buy Practice Golf Net on Amazon

Don’t Wait—Act Now!

Time is running out, and the holidays are almost here! These gifts are perfect for golfers and will make it to your doorstep in time, but only if you act fast. Stock is limited, and the closer we get to the big day, the tighter the shipping windows get. Click those links, fill your cart, and cross those gifts off your list today.