19th Hole
Korn Ferry Tour pro leaves clubs on airport carousel in incredible chase to make tee time
It’s your job, so I guess you have to do it.
Most golf fans will be used to the tales of the struggles of the end of year Q-school and the plight of mini-tour players, even maybe the list of reserves for each tournament.
But the 18th alternate!?
Korn Ferry Tour player James Nicholas had something of an interesting journey on Wednesday, when late at night he received a call letting him know he was now the first alternate for the AdventHealth Championship starting less than 24 hours later.
When receiving the call, the Yale graduate was sitting in Westchester County, New York, some 1000 miles away from the tournament location in Kansas City, Missouri. Starting the event as a reserve was a possibility, but first he needed to get there on time.
It’s been a wild week… pic.twitter.com/BiXKbwRc8t
— James Nicholas (@_james_nicholas) May 19, 2022
In what was an almost impossible chase, Nicholas got the first flight he could but found his plane delayed by 90 minutes – this was becoming an increasingly impossible journey.
“Why would I go when I know it will take a miracle for me to get in?” Nicholas shared on Instagram. “Because it’s my job, and I’ll do anything for just a chance.”
Miracles happen and from 18th alternate on May 13th to first on May 18th, at 9:52am on May 19th Nicholas was now informed he was in the tournament!
Having finally landed in the Midwest, the 25-year-old found he had no time to wait for his luggage at the baggage carousel and had to rush to the Blue Hills Country Club without clubs, shoes or glove!
Fortunately the head club pro lent Nicholas all the equipment he needed, allowing him to compete and finish the round in four-over par 76 – some way behind the leaders.
Just in time … ?@_james_nicholas arrives moments before his tee time after getting one of the last spots in the field @AHChampGolf1. pic.twitter.com/Nb58Kkz47s
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 19, 2022
If fortune follows the brave, then he will make the cut later today.
If not, nobody can blame a trier!
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- ‘Absolutely disgusting’ – LPGA pro blasts Augusta National for its role in major venue change
- ‘Get it out of my face, man!’ – Brooks Koepka snatches phone from fan during tense exchange
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19th Hole
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.
Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour:
Flights: $2600
Work Visa: $350
Food: $377
Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week! ?
Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car ??…— Hannah Gregg (@hannahbggg) April 26, 2024
“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350
- Food: $377
- Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
- Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!
- Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car
- Gas: $165
- Entry Fee: $130
- Lounge Pass for caddie: $50
- Gym: $0
- Yardage book: $0
- Total expenses: $3672
Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”
When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.
With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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