Columnist image

TSN Senior Reporter

| Archive

Hurley’s Magical Moment

There are so many wonderful angles about Billy Hurley’s win at the Quicken Loans Invitational on Sunday that it’s hard to know where to begin.

You might consider that he graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, just a short distance from where the tournament was being played. Or that he served in the U.S. Navy and then won a tournament that pays tribute to those in the military.

Perhaps it’s a story of perseverance over heartbreak. It was at this tournament a year ago that Hurley made an impassioned plea to the public to help find his father, who had gone missing. He was located a day later, but a few weeks after that, William Hurley Jr., 61, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hurley, playing with the grief of his father’s death, lost his playing privileges last year and was playing this week on a sponsor’s exemption. He’ll now have a two-year pass on the PGA Tour to go along with the $1.2 million (U.S.) for the victory.

It’s certainly one of the feel-good stories of the year, to go along with wins by Jim Herman and Vaughn Taylor.

Sometimes golf gives us some wonderful moments. Hurley’s victory is right near the top of that list.

--

Tiger’s Schedule

Tiger Woods wasn’t playing in the tournament he hosts but he did spend some time in the broadcast booth along with Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that it’s less and less likely Woods will tee it up on the PGA Tour in 2016.

When Nantz asked Woods about a date for a return to action the 14-time major winner gave no specifics.

"I want to play,” Woods said on the CBS broadcast. “Put it that way. I want to play. I don't know if I will.”

Woods admitted he came back too early from previous surgeries and is prepared to wait it out and be fully healthy before playing again. He did say, however, that he’s making progress. Woods said he’s playing golf and seeing good progress, but that he needs to get stronger and recover faster.

With only two weeks before the Open Championship, it’s unlikely he will play at Royal Troon. There are only five events after that – including the RBC Canadian Open and the PGA Championship – before the FedEx Cup, for which he wouldn’t be eligible.

The betting here is that Woods forgoes any events on the 2016 calendar, taking the entire season off. He really has nothing to gain now by playing in any of the remaining events. Look for him to play next in either a fall series event or perhaps his own Hero World Challenge in December.

--

Brooke’s Day Off

You can forgive Brooke Henderson if she woke up Sunday and wasn’t sure exactly what to do.

For just the second time in her professional career, the 18-year-old Canadian phenom missed a cut and had a day off. Henderson shot 69-73 in the three-round Wal-Mart NW Arkansas Championship, three strokes shy of the cutline.

The only other time Henderson missed the cut came last year at the Manulife LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ont.

Having a day off isn’t a bad thing for the No.-2 ranked player in the world; she’s played every LPGA Tour event for which she’s been eligible. She’s played a total of 65 rounds so far this year, the most of any player on tour. Compare that to world No.-1 ranked Lydia Ko, who has 51 rounds in the books.

More than one person has suggested that Henderson could use a few days off, although she’s heading into a busy stretch. This week, she’ll defend her title at the Cambia Portland Classic followed by the U.S. Women’s Open.

--

Sharp looking sharp

Alena Sharp, who will be a member of the Canadian Olympic team in Rio, is riding a hot hand.

The Hamilton, Ont., native finished tied for eighth over the weekend, her best performance of the season. It’s also her third consecutive top-25 posting. She’s picked up more than $100,000 for her run and is in 53rd spot on the money list with $171,672.

Much of Sharp’s improved play this year has been thanks to her work with Canadian national coach Tristan Mullally, who also has Henderson in his stable. She’s credited him with, among other things, helping her hit more solid shots that have allowed her to play better in windy conditions.

--

Back In Action

Two Canadian golfers will be returning to action this week after extended layoffs.

Mike Weir will tee it up on the European Tour at the French Open. That tournament is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Weir’s last start was at the Byron Nelson at the end of May.

And Graham DeLaet is playing the PGA Tour’s Barracuda Championship in Reno, Nev. This is his first start since admitting to experiencing anxiety while chipping.

While away from the tour, he’s been doing some work on his mental approach as well as just enjoying a break from the grind of professional life.