-10.2 C
New York
Monday, December 23, 2024

The two-time major winner retires in an epic setting


Two-time major champion Mark O'Meara recaps his final professional round from Pebble Beach before retirement, showing all kinds of emotions

An emotional Mark O’Meara took his last professional shot today, ending a decades-long career.

Getty Images

Mark O’Meara took his final walk on No. 18 at the PURE Insurance Championship, capping a 44-year professional career that included two majors and 16 PGA Tour wins.

It couldn’t have been a more epic setting as the 67-year-old brought his illustrious career to a close from Pebble beacha place where he won five times on the PGA Tour and once as an amateur.

As might be expected, O’Meara could not contain his emotions. Not from this moment, not from this place that means so much to him.

After his final pro shot, O’Meara gracefully walked off the green waving his hat to the cheering crowd, soaking up every ounce of energy and love from fans new and old.

Asked what he felt during this final round, O’Meara referred to a laundry list memories of Pebble Beachand thanked the prestigious course for everything it has given him over the years.

“It means everything. I mean, everything that’s happened in my life here is, Pebble Beach has been the dream,” he said. “With that, coming here in ’78, playing the state amateur in ’79, winning the state amateur at Pebble Beach. My great fortune over the years playing well around this iconic venue, the wins I’ve had here, the memories of winning the last Crosby to playing with my dad in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am and winning the championship together with mine. dad

“I mean, I owe everything to Pebble Beach, it’s just a blessing to be able to finish my career here.”


Mark O'Meara and Tiger Woods

Mark O’Meara revisits ‘difficult’ green jacket moment with Tiger Woods

From:

Jessica Marksbury



As he made his slow walk around the final holes, O’Meara said reality began to set in as he saw family and friends show their support.

“The last two holes, when I see my friends and family here, they’re rooting for me,” added O’Meara. “My daughter, Michelle, the guys who have worked for me, my corpses from years past and my wife, other friends who have flown in to celebrate the occasion with me, I mean, how can you not be emotional? I’m still excited now.”

As soon as O’Meara reached number 18, his emotions got the best of him, with tears beginning to well up in his eyes as his mind began to embrace all the memories over the years.

“Look, I’m still teary-eyed, I’m still kind of crying. And do I think I’m an emotional guy? I’m a little bit, but it’s a little overwhelming coming off the last hole, even the 17th hole watching a friend of mine caddying for another player out here who caddied for me for a couple of years, another — you know, Mitch Windsor, who has 3 caddies for Steve Flesch, and then Shane Joel, who caddies for Doug Ghim on the regular tour, who caddies for me for 10 years, to see what he would find time to come here and watch me go around.

While there are few unknowns for O’Meara now that he’s done with competitive golf, he’s embracing the changes and says “it’s okay to slow down a little bit” now that he’s in his late 60s. Now it’s time for him to put some of his hobbies to use – while still keeping the game of golf within his reach.

“I mean, I’m still going to be active in the game,” O’Meara stated. “I won’t be competing at this high level, but I feel a calling to stay involved in the game.


The time Tiger Woods used Mark O’Meara’s spare putt – and almost won The Open

From:

Andrew Tursky



“And I have a lot of hobbies that I enjoy outside of the game — whether it’s on a river fly fishing somewhere or snowmobiling in the backcountry — those are things that I enjoy doing. I get to spend more time with my family and not feel like I have to get on a plane and travel so much and sit in hotel rooms by myself.”

As O’Meara finished, he couldn’t contain his thanks for Pebble Beach — a place that saw some of his greatest success as a player.

“I’m grateful for every moment I have walking around this place,” he added. “It’s not that I won’t be back at Pebble Beach, but to be able to end a 44-year competitive career at Pebble Beach, yeah, I couldn’t have picked a more special day and a more special place. special. .”

Nick Dimengo



Source link

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -