A disappointing first round 76 on Thursday really put me on the back foot in last week’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
On the positive side, I responded strongly and played nicely on Friday to shoot a four-under par 68. I was pushing hard all the way, but just couldn’t get back on the right side of the cut-line. Big congrats to Mr Nicklaus on hosting another wonderful tournament, though, and to Will McGirt on winning his first PGA TOUR event in what was his 165th start. He’s really paid his dues out here, which must make this win feel very sweet indeed. I’m pleased for him. Will’s a great guy and he and his family have also been loyal supporters of all of our Els for Autism events.
So, on to this week. This is only my second ever appearance in the FedEx St. Jude Classic, having made my debut back in 1995 when the tournament was played the week after the US Open, not the week before as it is now. I remember the course pretty well, although it’s had an update since then, and I also remember opening with a pair of 67s. A repeat of that would be nice! I’m looking forward to it. It’s an historic tournament, with a great sponsor that is obviously hugely committed to golf, and as with every tournament on the PGA TOUR there’s a strong charitable ethos, too. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases and this tournament has helped raise more than $30 million for this very worthy cause.
Of course, at a time such as this it’s natural to have one eye on the US Open, but as a player it’s important to give this week’s tournament the respect and attention it deserves. And if I can play some good golf here then that’ll naturally take me on to Oakmont with an extra shot of confidence. I’ve already had a look at this iconic old golf course, travelling there for a day trip last weekend, which is something I’ve often done in my career leading up to Majors. For sure, Oakmont is every bit the tough challenge that it’s always been, but it’s also a very different proposition to when I won my first US Open there in 1994 (pictured below). More on those changes, and my US Open thoughts, in next week’s report.
For now, as I said, I have to try to take care of business here in Memphis and see if I can put together four solid rounds of golf. I’ve had two missed cuts in a row, which honestly doesn’t feel like an accurate reflection of where my game is at. I’m shooting some good numbers, but just not putting it all together consistently over four rounds. We have to turn that around and then we can start contending for top-10s and tournament wins.
Moving on, I want to use this week’s blog as an opportunity to post an update on the Els for Autism Golf Challenge, which has really got into full swing these past few weeks. In fact, with only five of this year’s 20-plus events completed we have already raised nearly $1 million in North America. Big thanks to our national sponsors SAP, RBC, Adams Golf and Wine Spectator and to our regional sponsors such as The Boeing Company and Maui Jim who have stepped up to help us bring autism programming into the local communities where we play our events. We have some great surprises planned for the Grand Finale in Las Vegas on November 4-5 and I hope to see some new faces there joining our old friends.
Please click here for more information and do try to sign up soon so that you don’t miss out. Rich Harvest Farms in Chicago, venue for the 2009 Solheim Cup matches, is our next stop on the Golf Challenge schedule on June 13. My thanks to the Rich family for their generosity and also to the team at Giant Steps and the Kid’s Golf Foundation for being a part of the pilot for the #GameON Autism Golf Program, which continues to go from strength to strength.
Finally, a huge thank you to the Golden Lions rugby team who signed 20 of their red jerseys for us to auction during upcoming Els for Autism ‘Drive to SA Open’ golf days being held in South Africa at high quality venues such as Oubaai, Kempton Park, Royal Joburg and De Zalze, among others. There’s also a grand final at Highland Gate and the winners there will tee it up in the SA Open Pro-Am in January 2017, where I’m proud to be official tournament host. Again, please click here for details on how to enter. The purpose of the ‘Drive to SA Open’ events is fun and fundraising and these signed Golden Lions rugby jerseys are sure to be sought-after items and will raise valuable funds to help kids on the spectrum. So thanks again guys for all the support that you give to Els for Autism.
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