Tour News
Jordan Holley: On the brink
By Jordan Holley
GolfWRX Contributor
Jordan Holley is a mini-tour player pursuing his dream of earning a PGA Tour card. He graduated from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., where he was an NCAA All-American and a member of the Cleveland Golf Academic All-American First Team. He qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 2008, and since turning professional has played on the NGA Hooters and eGolf tours, as well as other minor league tours.
Pressure. I like to say I love it and I have tended to play my best golf under pressure. I am playing golf at this level for the feeling of having a chance to win or make that jump to the next level. It feels unlike anything I have ever felt in any other sport I played.
To quote Eminem’s Grammy Award winning song Lose Yourself, “If you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted — one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?”
I had an incredible chance to make my mark this week in the Monday qualifier for the Web.com Tour’s Utah Championship. I drove 500 miles from Denver to Salt Lake City, got pulled over and cited for 70 in a 65, stopped at an incredible burger joint Pistol Pete’s in Helper, Utah, booked a hotel and prepared for my chance. Once the round started, I spent the day telling myself this:
“I have found myself in plenty of situations like this and pulled it out! You are on today! This is your day!”
I was lying to myself about being in that position before, but I thought it was MY day. It marked only my third Tour qualifier in the last two years as my focus has been to maintain a living. At $350 a pop it has made more sense to play events where I have the chance to make money rather than risk the money in an effort to move my career to the next level. But for now, I knew this was where I needed to be.
Well, I birdied my first three holes out of the gate and turned in five-under 31. Birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 moved me to seven-under and well on my way to my first Tour event. I didn’t tighten up and kept my foot on the gas pedal, executing one good shot after another. I missed a few good looks at birdie but was still bogey free as I headed to my 16th hole (I started on No. 10). I knew one more birdie would solidify my spot in the tourney. I hit a beautiful seven iron on the 208-yard par 3 with a slightly helping wind to about 25 feet below the hole. I hit my putt dead center in the heart of the hole, but about two feet short. Instead of finishing, I marked to ensure I didn’t step in anyones line and as I’m sure you can tell, I missed the putt. It wasn’t a nervous stroke, hit 90 percent of the hole but didn’t fall. In hindsight, this was one of those moments I just needed to take a few extra seconds and regroup.
Although I ripped my next tee shot and hit the wedge to five feet, my mind was still reeling. I made a poor stroke and lipped it out again! Knowing I most likely needed a birdie on the last, I hit a massive tee ball and left myself only 115 yards to the final flag. I hit the wedge to 15 feet and actually got myself comfortable before facing the putt. Another solid stroke later, I watched in disgust as the putt just grazed the high side of the hole and finished two feet past. I tapped it in for 66 and began what would become a 6-plus hour waiting game.
Not sure what to do with myself, I drove around in circles just disgusted with my finish. I ended up at a movie, by myself, just trying to kill time. When it finished, I still had more than hours to kill. I went to a Barnes & Noble, grabbed a book about fly fishing, got a coffee, and settled in. I finally got word that we would most likely be headed to playoff. Driving back to the course, I was encouraged that even though I didn’t finish a great round the way I should, I still might have a chance!
Upon returning to the course, the officials lined us up for what would end up being a 14 man playoff for two spots. They split us into two groups of seven by drawing cards and rattled off the brief rules. I drew the fourth spot and hit another beautiful drive on the eighth hole well past where I did in regulation. Facing an 80 yard pitch shot, I hit another good one to six feet and on the EXACT same line I had in regulation (my 17th hole). After only one birdie in our group, I faced another great chance to finally get where I feel I belong. I knew the putt would advance me to the next playoff hole and I felt completely at peace standing over it. t didn’t even touch the hole this time as I pulled it harder than an Olympic sprinter pulls a hammy. It was tough to swallow.
Now I am entered into the Wyoming Open playing for $7,000 instead of a Web.com Tour event playing for $100,000. It’s so dang close, I can taste it. This won’t be my last hurrah, I’ll be back next time (Omaha, Neb., first week of August) but man am I tired of telling you guys sob stories. I keep telling myself to just grind it out and put myself in these positions. I’ll learn how to close like I KNOW I can.This will be my last story until one of three things happen:
No. 1. I find a sponsor who believes in what I can do and wants to help get me to the next level.
No 2. I win again.
No. 3. I qualify for another Tour event (PGA Tour or Web.com Tour).
This is my motivation because I actually enjoy getting this stuff off my chest and I hope you all enjoy a little peek into the life of a (for now) mini-tour grinder. Thanks again for the support and feedback! Stay tuned!
Click here for more discussion in the “Tour Talk” forum.
You can follow Jordan on Twitter @J_Holley6under and GolfWRX @GolfWRX
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Valero Texas Open
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Valero Texas Open.
The event has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest on the PGA Tour calendar. Over the years, it’s been held at a variety of courses across the Lone Star State, but it’s found its home at TPC San Antonio in recent years. Some of the biggest names in golf have taken home the title here, including Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, and Ben Crenshaw.
GolfWRX has its usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs and special pull-out albums. As always, we’ll continue to update the links below as more photos come in from TPC San Antonio.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ben Taylor – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Paul Barjon – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Joe Sullivan – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Wilson Furr – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Willman – SoTex PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Jimmy Stanger – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Rickie Fowler – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Harrison Endycott – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Vince Whaley – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Kevin Chappell – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Christian Bezuidenhout – WITB (mini) – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Scott Gutschewski – WITB – 2024 Valero Texas Open
Pullout Albums
- Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Ben Taylor with new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Swag cover – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Greyson Sigg’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Davis Riley’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Josh Teater’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hzrdus T1100 is back – – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Mark Hubbard testing ported Titleist irons – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Tyson Alexander testing new Titleist TRS 2 wood – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Valero Texas Open
- Cobra putters – 2024 Valero Texas Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tre
Jul 13, 2012 at 10:36 pm
It is weird to read about a golf course I use to play everyday. Glen Eagle is a great course and a very fair test. I know my guys out there had those greens rolling well.