DeLaet waits on clubs heading into British Open
Like “the cheque is in the mail,” an airline’s reassurance that one’s golf clubs are en route is probably best taken with a grain of salt. Maybe the whole shaker.
But Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., is accepting Aer Lingus’s word for it that his trusty sticks — which evidently won’t get here until between 36 and 48 hours after his own arrival in St. Andrews — would at least be available for one full practice round prior to Thursday’s start of the Open Championship.
“The (Titleist) guys made me up a quick set here, and everything pretty much matches up (though) they didn’t have the right driver head,” the 33-year-old said Monday between a quick warm-up session and a trot to the first tee of the Old Course to play a practice round with major champions Ben Curtis and Geoff Ogilvy.
“But I did find out that the clubs are supposed to be arriving either late tonight or early tomorrow morning, so I’ll be good to go at least by Wednesday.”
He’d better be. He’s off the tee Thursday morning at 6:54 a.m. local time with Brian Harman and Russell Knox. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., is the other Canadian in the field this week. He’s off at 10:39 a.m. with Raphael Jacquelin and Eddie Pepperill.
DeLaet has been bothered periodically by injuries since his breakthrough 2013 season, which he ended ranked 36th in the world. He tumbled to 57th last year and is currently ranked 80th.
“I come in here trying to win the championship. My game feels good, I’ve been hitting it really well,” he said.