[PHOTO: Luke Walker]
We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again and we’ll never stop saying it: winning isn’t easy in pro golf.
For this week’s example, we point to the Cazoo French Open on the DP World Tour. Ewen Ferguson held a share of the lead with Jordan Smith entering the final round at Le Golf National, site of the 2018 Ryder Cup. The Scot won twice on tour in 2022, but came into this week’s event ranked 51st in the Race to Dubai, with a top 50 finish getting you into the field at the DP World Tour Championship in November. A victory in France would obviously make certain he was in the field, but a solid finish would make the northern autumn a lot less tense for the 27-year-old.
But Ferguson’s chances at winning took a huge hit on the opening hole… and in the most bizarre fashion.
"Unbelievable" 😱
Le Golf National is no easy track as co-leader @EwboF drops two shots! #CazooOpenDeFrance pic.twitter.com/PoPQWqX6sn
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 24, 2023
Ouch. Ferguson took a drop and eventually posted a double-bogey 6. It didn’t get much better on the par-3 second hole where he hit his tee shot into the water and made another double-bogey. A bogey on the par-4 fourth saw him tumble further down the leaderboard.
Ferguson continued to grind, making a birdie on the ninth hole to hit the back nine still just three shots behind Smith. But let’s just say this wasn’t the way we’re guessing Ferguson thought the day would play out.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
