On Wednesday at the Augusta Women’s National Amateur, Bailey Shoemaker went viral. ANWA Golf Channel Broadcast showed The USC junior stood over her approach shot on the 8th hole at the Champions Retreat and tried to pull the trigger, starting to backslide several times but missing the forehand shot.
The video played on a particular kind of frustration that players — and golf watchers — feel about the sport. Here, in a 75-second clip, was a perfect summary of how young players play slowly and disrespect the game – and how tournaments fail to curb it. This is nothing new; Recreational golf is plagued by slow play, tournament golf even more so, and pros who take too long on the ball constantly draw the ire of onlookers.
The shoemaker did not dispute what the video showed. But she also knows there’s more to the story.
Speaking to GOLF’s Claire Rogers insteadShoemaker explained that her struggle to get the club off the ground stems from an arm injury she dealt with last year that required her to play through pain and numbness before opting to have surgery. She has struggled to connect communication between her brain and body since returning to competitive play.
“I’ve been dealing with the injury for over a year now, and so, I mean, I have some things that bother me. But, I mean, when you have nerve surgery, you’re not in control,” Shoemaker said. “But it doesn’t matter what my brain says or does—do you think I mean to do it on purpose? Of course not.”
The shoemaker complained about the limits of one single clip.
“It was better today. And, I mean, that was the worst yesterday, of course it went viral,” she said. “And I mean, you don’t see the rest of the round clearly. You don’t see me at home training five hours a day, going to rehab, waking up before practice to go to rehab. You don’t see what’s behind the scenes.”
Shoemaker’s bid to make the cut fell short after a second straight 73; Her two-round total of 146 was three shots too many. Shoemaker finished runner-up at the event in 2024 and will be disappointed not to play a competitive final round at Augusta National, although she will play there on Friday during the event’s intermediate day. In the meantime, she hopes to keep her focus on the big picture.
“I put a lot of faith in USC and my coaches and trainers and whatnot, and I mean, they got me to where I am today,” she said. “I know I keep saying it, and it sounds like a broken record, but like a year ago, I didn’t know if I was going to play golf again. That was a pretty significant injury, considering it was my nerve. And I’m happy to have motor function on my hand.
“I thought I’d like it, losing my hand, basically, you know? So that’s pretty scary to think about. So, I mean, having control over my body is good, for once. And just being out here playing is good.”
Rogers also asked if Shoemaker was affected by the attention after her first round. Of course she had – how could anyone not? – but did his best to channel it into determination.
“If it was fuel. I mean, my dad trained me right to use it as fuel to fire me up a little bit. But I didn’t mind it too much. I mean, I’m happy where I am, and I’m making great strides in my health, and that’s all I really care about.”
Shoemaker found a clear silver lining — “I’ll play Augusta National tomorrow” — even if it was a trying week.
You can see her comments below.
