Matthew NeSmith worked so hard, and got so little out his game, that he tried his best to get out of himself. He ended up in the record books Friday at Valspar Championship.
His approach shots will land on the green, not the bunkers. He won’t have to worry about whether they’ll find the fairway.
NeSmith shot a 10-under-61 to match the Copperhead course record set at Innisbrook 10 years ago by Padraig Harrington, a three-time major champion. He missed two fairways and one green, and it was late in his round that it appeared he could not miss a shot.
It’s strange not to hit fairways, not try to hit the green, and not make putts. I just try my best. NeSmith stated that it was difficult for him to do. “I’m like everyone else. We love control and want to steer the ship in the right direction. But I’ve been holding onto it for too long and I’m done.”
NeSmith finished at 14-under 128, surpassing by two shots the 36 hole record at Valspar Championship set by Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns a year ago.
Adam Hadwin, Canada’s lone PGA Tour winner, was two shots behind with a 66.
Burns remained in contention in the title defense for his first PGA Tour win. After a rough start, he posted a 67 to finish three shots behind Scott Stallings (66).
Justin Thomas was four ahead.
After rain had a softening effect on the course, scoring has been poor all week. The wind has also been very minimal. The Innisbrook course record was 3-under 139. This was two shots lower than the cut.
Until NeSmith, who put together the round that was nine shots more than the average, no one had ever posted a score of 64. He made par-5 par 5 eagle putsts and a par-5 par-5 14th hole putt. He shot 30 on the front nine. His 18-foot birdie on No. The cup edge was shattered by 9
NeSmith said that he is now learning to accept any outcome, whether it be good or not.
He cannot even consider a win at the halfway point, which would allow him to enter the Masters. The Masters is just a short drive from his home in North Augusta, South Carolina. NeSmith grew up at the Masters because his father was a Augusta National caddie. NeSmith was able to play it with a fellow member once.
He said, “Whether I drive 25 minutes to Augusta to play or whether I just want to spend time at home with my wife, my dog, and some friends, it will be the same.” “It’s going happen if it’s supposed to happen. I’m okay with it if it doesn’t.
Hadwin has had very little stress in two days on the Copperhead course. He is happy with his game and between his ears. Hadwin has been patient in deciding when to attack, and relies on his confidence in his putting stroke for the birdies and one par.
On the seventh hole, he was in bad position and made a 15-foot putt for par. He made a par-3 8th hole birdie of 20 feet and was soon on his way.
Hadwin stated that the par putt on 7 was a huge one to get him going. “I had hit some great putts before, but couldn’t get anything out of it. After that, they started to find the middle.”
Thomas was right beside him for most of the morning. He ran off four birdies in the five-hole stretch on the back nine. He was able to take care of the par 5s on his front nine, and was only 12 under when he tried one shot that he wanted back.
Thomas was blocked by a tree in rough and thought he could spin his ball enough to hook it towards the green with a 52 degree wedge. It didn’t turn out that way. He missed the green by 30 yards to his right, and he put the ball in a bunker.
He was forced to settle for 66. This was a solid effort over 36 holes and a reminder not to push too hard, especially in the first rounds.
Thomas stated, “I should have just hit it in front bunker. It was a fairly easy up-and down.” Thomas said, “As soft and slippery as the greens can be, I should have tried to hit it in the front bunker. It was a pretty easy up-and-down.” It wasn’t necessary. It didn’t have to be.”
