After 14 years and 292 career starts, 36-year-old Brian Gay got his first win on Sunday at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Cancun, Mexico. Brian shot rounds of 66, 67, 62 and 69 for a 16-under total of 264, a new tournament record.
I’m a sap. I like first-time winners, especially journeyman types who have been toiling at this fickle game for years. Way to go, Brian.
Did he have doubts about winning during the final round?
“I knew I was confident and playing well,” Brian said at the post-tournament media conference. “I had to just keep going a shot at a time and pick my targets and make good swings.”
Any advice for the young guys coming up?
“Work on your short game. Do lots of chipping and putting,” Brian said. “I don’t hit it far, but if you can make putts you can always be in the game.”
Brian slept on the lead, too, not an easy way to get your first win. Then again, there is no easy way to get your first win.
The Armchair Golfer
Brian Gay is right. Chipping and putting will always mean the difference between birdie & par/par & bogey.
Got to love the way Brian never gives up! Now there’s a good lesson for us amateurs.