Page 16 - aruba-today-20230301

A16 sports
Wednesday 1 March 2023

A PGA Tour offering no guarantees can still deliver

By DOUG FERGUSON Cole, who has 56 wins on nal glands to not produce
AP Golf Writer the Minor League Golf Tour, enough hormones. His
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — LIV the most recent one in Jan- weight dropped to about
Golf chose to start its new uary that paid him $1,500. 120 pounds (54 kg).
season when the PGA That was about 5 miles from Cole spent some 10 years
Tour’s biggest stars were PGA National, where sec- on mini-tours, and as he
certain to be taking the ond place at the Honda was starting to pile up top
week off. What the rival Classic paid him $907,200. 10s on the Korn Ferry Tour
league got was a remind- Cole comes from golf last year, he learned his
er that a tour offering no stock. His father is former younger brother, Michael,
guarantees can still deliver PGA Tour winner Bobby died suddenly at age 28.
when least expected. Cole of South Africa. His Cole has been thrown a lot
The Honda Classic was the mother is Laura Baugh, a in life, and with that comes
odd tournament out during former LPGA Tour rookie of refreshing humility. He is
five weeks of big-money the year. She looked to be easy to cheer for, and he
events on the PGA Tour, Chris Kirk kisses the trophy after winning the Honda Classic more nervous than Cole as will be at Bay Hill this week
one reason it attracted golf tournament in a playoff against Eric Cole, Sunday, Feb. 26, she followed along on the for the Arnold Palmer Invi-
only eight players from the 2023, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. back nine. tational on a sponsor ex-
world’s top 50, the weakest Associated Press There was disappointment, emption. “I can’t wait to do
field so far this year. Kirk delivered a clutch bird- I’m so grateful for every- sure, along with a touch it again,” he said.
One of them was Chris Kirk, ie on the 16th for the lead. one who supported me of class. After Kirk hit his And then there was Ryan
who stepped away from He nearly gave it away with throughout the past three wedge tight in the playoff, Gerard, a 23-year-old from
golf in 2019 to seek treat- a bad swing at the wrong or four years.” Cole twice looked back North Carolina who got the
ment for alcoholism and time, sending a fairway Kirk is not driven purely and flashed him a thumbs- final spot in the Honda field
depression. Kirk once said metal off the rocks and by money. Otherwise, he up. through a Monday qualifier
that anxiety and pressure nearly onto a car parked would have played the pre- Cole made a remarkably and then flirted with con-
led him to find the right on a platform in the middle vious week at Riviera with a tough bunker shot look tention on the weekend.
amount of booze he need- of the lake right of the par-5 $20 million purse. He didn’t easy, but his 10-foot birdie His fourth-place finish was
ed to feel normal. 18th. feel the course suited him putt to extend the playoff worth $403,200 and earned
There was a different vari- Instead, he won in playoff as well as PGA National, spun around the left side of him a spot in the Puerto
ety of pressure Sunday at by nearly holing out with a and he had an eye on his the cup. Rico Open this week.
PGA National when Kirk wedge, leading to a TV in- No. 47 world ranking, know- His road to this point hasn’t Meanwhile, across the Gulf
was locked in a battle with terview unlike most others. ing the top 50 in a month’s been easy. Cole was di- of Mexico at Mayakoba,
34-year-old Eric Cole, who “I’m so grateful for my so- time get into the Masters. agnosed while in college Charles Howell III won the
had to overcome health is- briety,” Kirk said, no longer The win sends him back to at Nova Southeastern Uni- season debut of LIV Golf
sues of his own and an un- in his role as emotional ro- Augusta National for the versity with Type 1 diabe- with a flawless final round
usually long journey just to bot inside the ropes. “I’m first time in seven years. tes and Addison’s disease, of 63 for a four-shot victory
reach the big leagues. so grateful for my family. Not to be overlooked was which causes the adre- over Peter Uihlein.q

Bills GM: Hamlin’s return hinges on his

medical progress

ing into cardiac arrest and just got his life back, but ing with Hamlin to get a
having to be resuscitated that he’d have his football clear picture of the player’s
on field in January. career back,” Beane said. status, because the team
In providing the update “I would love to give the would also have to provide
at the NFL combine in In- storybook ending that he’s clearance in allowing him
dianapolis on Tuesday, Bills definitely going to play, but to return to the field.
general manager Brandon we just don’t know that yet. Hamlin has enjoyed what
Beane said Hamlin’s “end But if he does, we’ll be very doctors are calling a re-
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin watches as Pittsburgh takes on game” is to resume play- happy for him.” markable recovery since
Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCCA college basketball ing so long as he receives Beane said “all is well” with collapsing on the field af-
game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. the necessary medical Hamlin’s test results after ter making what appeared
Associated Press clearance. “If we’re able visiting numerous special- to be a routine tackle in
By JOHN WAWROW visits to doctors before de- to get full clearance and ists around the country, the first quarter of a game
AP Sports Writer termining whether he can he feels he’s ready to do it, with two or three more visits against the Bengals which
Buffalo Bills safety Damar pursue his goal of returning that’s another big smile of still scheduled. He said the was suspended and even-
Hamlin has a few more to play football after go- a story. Not only that he’s Bills medical staff is travel- tually canceled. q