Jason Kokrac's last shot at the 2022 Travelers Championship was unnecessary and led to his disqualification from most of the tournament.
After cutting 327 passing yards with his left hand on the ninth hole at TPC River Heights in Cromwell, Connecticut, his last hole of the day, Kokrak didn't have much to play for and it showed. After opening 3-under 67 on Thursday, he was barely past four on the day (five-shot damage left two double heads on his card) and it would take a minor miracle to cut him.
However, Kokrac, the 33rd ranked player in the world, was only 43 meters from the hole. His 'all or nothing' shot turned out to be a giant stride, flying over the green and across the fairway. ShotLink measured it as walking "87 yards into the unknown."
But instead of going back to the original point, collecting a penalty and a fortification, Kokrac hit all the balls he had left, got in his car and drove home. He was disqualified from the tournament after failing to go out and scoring, failing to sign and returning the scorecard.
The story of the Kokrak wedge in the great unknown would be a strange story in itself, who does that? - But there is a greater block chance of legendary proportions.
Jason Kokrak appears to have been disqualified for hitting his second shot on his last hole 44 yards over the green into spectators on the road, then just gotten in his car and driven off to join the LIV tour without even submitting a scorecard. Growing the game! pic.twitter.com/GvpTZ0yFNv
— Nathan Hubbard (@NathanCHubbard) June 24, 2022
The 37-year-old, who was sponsored by Golf Saudi even before Saudi-backed LIV Golf, was a thing and played for the Saudi International in February sponsored by the PGA Tour, a player long rumored to do. Join the beginners circuit. However, it would result in an indefinite suspension from the PGA Tour, where he has won three titles and over $20 million since joining in 2012. Earlier this year, Kokrak was one of the most vocal players when he admitted he was in talks. With LIV Golf, his goal was to earn as much money as possible so he could retire at 44 and watch his kids grow up.
LIV Golf has three spots remaining on its 48-player course scheduled for next week in Portland at Pumpkin Ridge. Could Kucrack be one of the players to be named later?
If this was Kokrak's last chance on the PGA Tour, and it was just a guess at this point, it would be a walk the whole time, as well as a slap in the face during a tour that was good for him: winning $20 million isn't a bad thing.
Action Network's Jason Sobel sent a text message to fellow Tour pro William McGuirt, who played for Team Kokrak on Friday and attended the final. According to Sobel's report, McGirt said they were unaware that the ball went out of bounds, noting that because Kokrac would surely have missed it, the decision not to finish his run was made as a measure, providing time to help the group. Behind them were already waiting in the hall.
As Sobel noted, "There was no exit from the PGA Tour."
This has not yet been determined.
Amazing. https://t.co/2TZqmlFn2r
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) June 25, 2022
Comments
Post a Comment