J.R. Smith Archives - Golf Digest Middle East https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/tag/j-r-smith/ Golf Instruction, Equipment, Courses, Travel, News Tue, 12 Oct 2021 03:41:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/gd-favicon.ico J.R. Smith Archives - Golf Digest Middle East https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/tag/j-r-smith/ 32 32 J.R. Smith’s college golf debut included hoodies, Tiger gifs, and an approach shot stuck to a foot https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/j-r-smiths-college-golf-debut-included-hoodies-tiger-gifs-and-an-approach-shot-stuck-to-a-foot/ https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/j-r-smiths-college-golf-debut-included-hoodies-tiger-gifs-and-an-approach-shot-stuck-to-a-foot/#respond Tue, 12 Oct 2021 03:41:23 +0000 https://golfdigestme.com/?p=50001 Monday was a big day in the golf world, but not because of anything happening on the professional circuits. Instead, the buzz centred around the Elon Phoenix Invitational, an innocuous college golf tournament...

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]]> Grant Halverson

By Coleman Bentley
Monday was a big day in the golf world, but not because of anything happening on the professional circuits. Instead, the buzz centred around the Elon Phoenix Invitational, an innocuous college golf tournament turned viral epicentre thanks to the NCAA golf debut of two-time NBA champion J.R. Smith.

In case you missed the countless, breathless news bulletins over the past six weeks, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T in August in order to pursue not only a liberal studies degree, but a collegiate golf career. A short while later, he made the team, clinching his tee time at Alamance Country Club by advancing in the team’s qualifying tournament by a single stroke. In other words, Monday’s opportunity was earned, not given, and Smith showed up with his game face (and hoodie) on.

It’s all fun and games until some drops the Tiger Bellerive gif. The 36-year-old freshman then backed it up with an opening par …

… before settling into a solid opening nine, including two birdies and a clutch approach on the ninth hole that he stuck to within a foot.

Grant Halverson
J.R. Smith hits an approach shot to the 7th green during the Elon Phoenix Invitational.

Grant Halverson
J.R. Smith lines up a putt on the 8th green during the Elon Phoenix Invitational.


Grant Halverson
J.R. Smith fist bumps North Carolina A&T golf coach Richard Watkins during the opening round of the Elon Phoenix Invitational.

All the while, Golf Twitter followed along with glee …

Unfortunately, Smith struggled after his hot start, finishing with an opening-round 83 that put him in a tie for 77th place midway through the tournament’s opening 36 holes on Monday. That, however, shouldn’t put any damper on Smith’s story, which, if his dedication is any indication, will continue come hell, high water, or even the occasional triple bogey.

 

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]]> https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/j-r-smiths-college-golf-debut-included-hoodies-tiger-gifs-and-an-approach-shot-stuck-to-a-foot/feed/ 0 Patrick Reed’s surprising new teammate, John Daly’s wild week & an all-time embarrassing golf answer on Jeopardy https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/patrick-reeds-surprising-new-teammate-john-dalys-wild-week-an-all-time-embarrassing-golf-answer-on-jeopardy/ https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/patrick-reeds-surprising-new-teammate-john-dalys-wild-week-an-all-time-embarrassing-golf-answer-on-jeopardy/#respond Wed, 11 Apr 2018 12:55:26 +0000 http://golfdigestme.com/?p=15300 Welcome to another edition of The Grind, where the loudest roar for Patrick Reed on Sunday may have come from a potential new match-play teammate. Don’t get too jealous, Jordan Spieth...

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]]> By Alex Myers
Welcome to another edition of The Grind, where the loudest roar for Patrick Reed on Sunday may have come from a potential new match-play teammate. Don’t get too jealous, Jordan Spieth:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhU6heTn1Bd/?utm_source=ig_embed

In case you don’t know, that’s NBA star J.R. Smith, who is also arguably the biggest golf fan on the planet. Patrick’s timing in winning the Masters was perfect because his NYC media tour overlapped with Smith’s Cavs visiting the Knicks. So THE KING was in the building at MSG on Monday night. But even LeBron takes a backseat to CAPTAIN AMERICA (Patrick, please wear golf shoes that say that on the back at your next tournament):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhX8_YLn-WS/?utm_source=ig_embed

Wow, J.R. is really itching to play that member-member. We can only hope this entertaining duo teams up on the links — and that someone documents it. In the meantime, there’s plenty to document from a fun-filled week at Augusta National.

WE’RE BUYING

Patrick Reed: Golf is a weird sport, huh? After watching up close Reed’s performance at Hazeltine in 2016, I — like everyone else — was convinced he’d have a monster 2017. Instead, he had his worst year since turning pro. But Ryder Cup Reed finally showed up at a major this past week, and boy, was it impressive. The power, the putting, the PIZZAZZ! From recoils to club twirls to fist pumps to helicopter finishes, Reed has it all.

David Cannon

He still may not quite be a top-five player in the world (Shh! Don’t tell him I said that!), but he’s getting there. And that’s bad news for everyone else.

Rickie Fowler: For a second consecutive major, Fowler’s final Sunday charge was too little, too late. Still, a 12-under-par weekend at Augusta National was mighty impressive. “I’m ready to win a major,” Fowler said after. We believe you, Rick. And at the very least, that clutch closing birdie earned him an extra $440,000 for finishing solo second, one shot ahead of buddy Jordan Spieth. Looks like Rickie will be picking up the drink tab at #SB2K18.

Jordan Spieth: Speaking of Spieth, this special player continues to rack up legendary performances at a blistering pace. Reed may have won, but Spieth produced arguably Sunday’s two largest roars—for the same shot. Those patrons on No. 16 lost their minds when his long birdie putt dropped—and those gathered around the 18th green also went crazy when his birdie was posted on the big leaderboard.

David Cannon

Note to self: Do NOT doubt this man. Ever. Especially at the Masters. Sure, the bogey finish was disappointing, but we’ll remember Spieth’s 64 for a long time — or, at least until the next time he does something otherworldly.

WE’RE SELLING

Rory’s Masters Sundays: I’d be lying if I said Golf Digest’s Slack channel wasn’t a collection of Vince Carter “It’s over!” GIFs when McIlroy’s majestic second shot finished four feet from the hole on the par-5 second. But he missed the putt and then continued to miss from short range to the point Rory was barely a factor by the back nine. This won’t sting as much as the 80 he shot in 2011—and he still has plenty of time to complete the career Grand Slam—but it’s not a memory that will help him sleep any easier at night.

Tony Finau’s fluke injury: In the span of a few seconds, Finau went from the ultimate high—making a hole-in-one at Augusta National—to one embarrassing (and gruesome-looking) low—dislocating his ankle celebrating.

Andrew Redington

But Finau, recovered nicely, somehow playing through the pain, and playing well. His bid to tie a tournament record with seven consecutive birdies came up just short on the 72nd hole, but his T-10 was enough to guarantee his invite back next year. We’re guessing he’ll be more careful if he decides to tee it up in the Par 3 Contest again.

Our apologies if you were just about to eat.

John Daly’s flukier injury: John Daly hawking merch in a Hooters parking lot down the road from Augusta National’s gates has become its own Masters’ tradition. However, this year a woman lost control of her car on Washington Road and crashed into Daly’s RV, injuring his ankle. True story.

Luckily, no one was seriously hurt, but that’s some pretty bad luck for the two-time major champ. Like Finau, though, Daly had a nice recovery as well. He judged the Hooters Bikini Contest a couple days later.

ON TAP

The PGA Tour heads up the road from Augusta National to Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage, AKA that event Wesley Bryan won last year and then admitted to Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo that he threw up in his mouth down the final stretch. Here’s a look back at the instant classic post-round interview:

Wes is back to defend his plaid jacket. And hopefully, he’ll bring some mints or gum in case that happens again.

Random tournament fact: Luke Donald is to this tournament what Phil Mickelson is to the U.S. Open. After Donald’s fifth runner-up here last year, he just needs one more to tie Mickelson’s mark at the national championship. Good luck, Luke!

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

— Patrick Reed threw up down the stretch at Augusta: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds

— Patrick Reed will win the U.S. Open: 30-to-1 odds (Actual odds)

— Patrick Reed and J.R. Smith would win their member-member: LOCK

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (ON-COURSE DIVISION)

In what might be the greatest pinch-hit appearance since Francisco Cabrera won the Atlanta Braves the 1992 National League pennant, Jack Nicklaus’ grandson, Gary, took one swing at the Masters Par 3 contest and made a freaking hole-in-one. In front of Jack, Gary Player, and Tom Watson, no less. Unreal. Cue the chills:

Congrats, kid. The only bad news is that it can only go down from here.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (OFF-COURSE DIVISION)

This Jeopardy! clip also might be the fail of the year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhXR4wIBebR/?utm_source=ig_embed

We’re guessing Julia wasn’t watching the Masters over the weekend. Although to be fair, maybe she was thinking of celebrity golf majors?

THIS WEEK IN TOUR PRO-WAGS PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Allison Stokke showed support for her man following his latest close call:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhVOoSxALBu/?utm_source=ig_embed

Again, I think Rickie will be OK. And Patrick and Justine Reed both got pretty in pink on Masters Sunday with these color-coordinated ensembles.

David Cannon

Aww.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Every time you think about it as a kid growing up, it’s always, you know, this putt is to win a green jacket; this putt’s to win the Masters. I think that’s just because of the history and everything that’s gone on here at Augusta National and how special it is to all the golfers and special it is to just golf in general around the world.” — Patrick Reed. Well said. Now enjoy your green jacket tour for the next 12 months.

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLF FANS (NON-J.R. SMITH DIVISION)

It looks like Lil Wayne really enjoyed his first trip to the Masters:

But it’s too bad he missed his boy Tom Watson win the Par 3 Contest.

THIS AND THAT

The newer, friendlier Tiger Woods appeared several times during Masters week, most notably celebrating and flashing the “safe” sign when he avoided the water on No. 12 for the third day in a row, and with this congratulatory tweet to Reed:

Tiger’s got jokes! … The PGA Tour is officially changing its slogan after more than two decades from “These guys are good” to “Live under par.” I miss “These guys are good,” already. . . . There’s a lot we don’t know about Patrick Reed, but John Feinstein reported he does most of his own cooking during tournament weeks and that he listens to the Imagine Dragons song “Radioactive” on loop when he practices. That’s by far the most unsettling thing I’ve heard about the guy yet. . . . The PGA Tour announced players will be allowed to use walk-up music at the Zurich Classic. Guess we know what Reed will be coming out to. . . . And finally, I used to think putting Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies in the freezer was an overrated move:

I used to be young and stupid.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Will Patrick Reed cook next year’s Champions Dinner himself?

Will Patrick Reed give his next child an Augusta National-related name?

Will Patrick Reed wear the green jacket to the first hole of the Ryder Cup? (We can only hope)

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