Ruffels has faith in driving ability
RYAN Ruffels wants to take the driving duties off former world No. 1 Jason Day at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans this week when they pair up for the US PGA Tour’s lone teams event of the season.
The Aussie pair share the same management and Day, 30, has become a mentor to 19- year- old Ruffels who is learning his trade on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica having turned professional in 2016, when he was just 17.
They’ve shared winter practice sessions in the desert, as Day looked to escape the freezing temperatures in his home state of Ohio, and Ruffels has sought his playing partner’s counsel on other occasions.
Ahead of just his second main tour event this year Ruffels, who lives in Florida with fellow Aussie young gun Curtis Luck, has already worked out the best way for him to help his partner secure a victory which would give the younger player’s career a massive boost.
“I think, with the way I’m playing right now, I’m driving the ball very, very straight. I think if you tee off on the odd holes in New Orleans, you get three of the par- 5 tee shots. I’ll probably take those,” Ruffels said.
“And Jason is just such a great putter and chipper, so as long as I get it close to the green he’s going to be good.
“I drive it really long and really straight. That’s what I’m doing right now. If I can continue doing that, I think my driver and my putter are my two biggest strengths.”
Last year’s Zurich Classic was won by rising Aussie star Cameron Smith, whose career continued on an upward trend after his victory.
Ruffels, the world No. 665, played with Kyle Stanley in the event last year, finishing tied for 29th, and hopes to improve on that finish playing with Day.