DeLaet signals his arrival
Rookie Canadian a standout in loss at Presidents Cup
Hello, world. Like Mike Weir in 2000, Graham De Laet, the 31-year-old from Weyburn, Sask., made this Presidents Cup his breakout performance at the elite international level — and to very similar reviews.
“He’s been a wonderful team player this whole week,” said International team captain Nick Price.
“Every time he walks into the villa, he’s bouncing. He’s got a great disposition and he smiles a lot. He’s a hell of a player. I think Canada has a lot to look forward to the next ten or 12 years or so watching him play, because he’s definitely major championship material.” Sound familiar? Remember when NBC’s Johnny Miller said this about Weir at his first Presidents Cup in Virginia?
“If there was a medal-play championship going on this weekend, I think [Weir] is your leader. He’s playing the best golf of the week,” Miller said.
“He’s a star on the rise. I think he’s close to a superstar on the rise. He’s very powerful, he’s got a Nick Price-type of tempo to his swing. He’s a great ball-striker, and an excellent putter. He has a good attitude, he’s a smart guy. And he’s played like crazy this week.”
Weir proved him right, winning the Masters three years later.
DeLaet played all four team matches with Aussie Jason Day, and came out of them with 2-1-1 record.
Though the Internationals lost the Cup 18½ to 15½, DeLaet then crowned a superb week by holing a greenside bunker shot for birdie at the 18th to beat PGA Tour rookie of the year Jordan Spieth 1-up.
It was his second dramatic closing shot of the day. Early Sunday morning in the completion of the alternate-shot match against Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson, DeLaet chipped in for a three at the par-4 18th with Bradley positioned to make birdie from 12 feet below the hole.
“Just one of the coolest feelings in my life really,” said DeLaet, who looked as though he might burst a blood vessel when his chip shot tumbled into the hole.
“I was standing over it, and I was like, this is what we practise for. We put in a lot of time around the greens, and it was a little grainy and it was super soft. I just did all the technique we’ve been practising with Gabe [Hjertstedt, his shortgame coach], and it paid off.”
That match was halved, but DeLaet will never forget either moment.
“What an unbelievable way to finish,” said DeLaet, who shared the best record on the team, 3-1-1, with Day, who dismantled Brandt Snedeker 6-and-4 in the second singles match.
“When I got up here [to the green], I thought I was really going to have to work to make four to halve the hole if Jordan missed,” deLaet said.
“Pretty crazy finish the last two times here today. I executed them both well, but there’s some luck involved as well.”
“We gave it a good shake,” world No. 2 Adam Scott said. “I think with so many new faces on the team, they got a great first experience here with the cup; guys like Graham, unbelievable what he achieved the last couple of days, chipping in on 18 twice, it’s incredible. I hope he embraces that and brings that forward for the future of the tournament.”
“I think we saw a few guys — Graham deLaet, brendon de Jonge, Hideki Matsuyama to name just three — that are going to be around President cup teams for a long time,” Price said.
day, who struggled in his first Presidents cup two years ago in his native Australia, said “it’s just tough to play as a rookie … unless you’re Graham here.”
The week can’t help but act like a shot of adrenalin to deLaet’s career.
“yeah, I got some really kind words from Mr. Nicklaus on the first tee today, saying it’s really going to build my confidence, and I think that’s true,” he said.
“I’ve always kind of believed in myself, [but] I definitely believe that deep inside I feel a little more confidence in myself now. These are the best players in the world and this American team is just loaded with talent. To be able to come in here and play well against them means a lot.”
The loss by the team was closer than anyone thought possible after entering the singles down by six points, but it was a loss after all.
“I know that everyone back home is super proud, and I mean, I’m a proud canadian. It’s awesome to be here with these guys representing canada,” deLaet said. “but we’re here as a team, and our main goal was to win, and it’s slightly disappointing. but the friendships and bonds that we’ve made over the last week we’ll carry on for a lifetime, and I think we are going to be stronger coming up in two years in Korea.
“It’s just an absolute pleasure to be part of this team, and it’s unfortunate that we didn’t get the W.”
even U.S. captain Fred couples was impressed by deLaet’s game, and his mental toughness. He holed a boatload of clutch putts during the week, and struck the ball beautifully.
“I had never met him,” couples said. “I’m fairly keen on looking at golfers and can tell if they are good. That’s pretty obvious the last couple years, and then for him to make the team, he should be very proud of that accomplishment.
“He’s fun to watch. He hits it a long way, he putts well. you know, he’s just a very good player.”