Curry misses cut but debut a success
Nick Rousey, a journeyman tour pro, already had made the arduous hike around TPC Stonebrae earlier Friday. He shot 73, knew he would miss the cut, and yet still returned to walk the back nine again later in the day — to watch Stephen Curry.
Rousey played practice rounds with Curry on Monday and Tuesday. They connected. Rousey even worked with Curry on the putting green, offering some tips. And now there went Rousey, climbing hills and joking with Curry as he completed his much-debated appearance in the Ellie Mae Classic.
The debate can end now: This was an unqualified success.
Curry made the experiment work because he’s a more polished golfer than people realized. He also made it work
because of the way he conducts himself — he’s understated, engaging, eminently likable.
That’s why so many tour pros chatted with him on the range and one player requested his autograph on the course (he amiably complied). It’s also why Rousey returned to follow Curry down the stretch.
Curry didn’t burst into this new sporting realm with any hint of bluster or bravado, offended because skeptics wondered if he could break 80. He quietly and diligently went about proving them wrong. And he did.
By shooting 74-74 and holding his own in a tour event, Curry reminded us he’s a transcendent sports figure at the peak of his power. This is not the same as when Jerry Rice, a transcendent athlete in his day, tried to forge a second career in golf long after he retired from the NFL.
Curry is in his prime at age 29, fresh off two Most Valuable Player awards and two NBA titles in the past three years. He still acted like a wide-eyed neophyte on the golf course, grateful for the chance to fulfill a longtime dream.
“The biggest reason we invited Steph is he’s the right guy with the right tone and tenor and humility, and love of the game of golf,” tournament director Trish Gregovich said. “That’s the thing. … You can see his joy. He was so excited to be included.”
Curry also had the desired impact, raising the profile of a low-wattage event. Attendance increased more than sevenfold for Thursday’s opening round. The tournament probably will more than double last year’s $30,000 contribution to charity, according to Gregovich.
Other observations in the wake of Curry’s crossover adventure:
Don’t assume Curry will return to next year’s tournament in Hayward. Gregovich hesitated when asked whether he will be offered a sponsor exemption again in 2018.
Part of the abundant interest in Curry’s appearance was the novelty, which might wane if he teed off every year.
“I think that’s probably not the right cadence,” Gregovich said. “We would want to go back to the drawing board and figure out the right path forward, together as a partnership.”
At some point, Curry needs to play in a tour event again. Absolutely.
The biggest whiff of the week: no live telecast of this tournament. Isn’t every sporting event on television in 2017?
Golf Channel carries a handful of Web.com tournaments, and the Ellie Mae Classic wasn’t on the schedule. Tour officials explored the possibility after Curry agreed to play, but they couldn’t make it work, mostly because of the costs (well into six figures).
One obvious alternative was to live-stream Curry’s rounds; finances and an unreliable signal in the Hayward hills posed obstacles. Gregovich said the tournament approached Twitter and Facebook about live-streaming the event, with no luck.
Still, some honcho at the PGA Tour (which owns the Web.com Tour) should have found a way to make it happen. Big miss.
If you’re wondering why Curry held his own, when many accomplished athletes from other sports have struggled in occasional tour appearances, here’s a one-word explanation: Hands.
Curry hit the ball as far as most Web.com pros, beyond 300 yards at times, but he was wild off the tee. He distinguished himself with his chipping and putting, and that traces to the same hands that make him one of the NBA’s most creative dribblers.
“His hands are just so good,” caddie Jonnie West said. “There were a couple shots he hit out here, they were tour-quality up-anddowns.”
Two days of navigating the meandering TPC Stonebrae layout offered a timely reminder. Tour officials need to find a better course to host this event.
The setting is magnificent, with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay. But the course is mediocre at best, with funky holes, forced carries and severe, topsy-turvy greens.
Plus, it’s a daunting walk — as Steph Curry fans now know.