It’s already been a big year for Geno Bonnalie, but it was avoiding a big number at Oak Hill that had the PGA Tour caddie’s full focus on Monday. Well, almost all of his focus. As he’s known to do, the looper kept everyone in the loop on Twitter in entertaining fashion.
Bonnalie, whose boss, Joel Dahmen, finished T-69, had an opportunity to play the 2023 PGA Championship venue the morning after the final round and he took advantage of it. He also used the opportunity to set up an over/under bet for his score.
https://twitter.com/GenoBonnalie/status/1660329719269556224
That was also Geno’s clever way of letting us know that in addition to being a Twitter star, a Netflix star and a blossoming underwear model, he’s also a scratch golfer. We won’t act like we’re not impressed, Geno.
But 84.5 as the line? Really? We already heard opinions of how 18-handicappers would fare here from Jordan Spieth and other tour pros, but how about for a guy with a (barely) plus-handicap? Could this major test really be that hard? We soon found out with Geno live tweeting hole-by-hole (and sometimes shot-by-shot) updates. Below are some highlights of his difficult – but fun – day in Rochester.
As you can imagine, a beautiful day began with plenty of optimism (he also said to “hammer the under” after a Sunday evening trip to the range):
Alright, friends…it's time. Follow this thread for updates pic.twitter.com/ESmMQOlvf4
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
But things quickly went south on the first hole:
Pitched out…in to a divot. Chunk short of the green. 2 putt to start. Double
+2 thru 1
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
There was finally a glimmer of hope on the fourth:
I HIT A GREEN! Birdie putt upcoming on 4. Lookout
(Also, rough is so long that we had the first lost ball of the day in the group)
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
But alas:
Don't worry. I 3 putted 🤦🏼♂️
+5 thru 4
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
After a few more bogeys, Geno was ready to turn it around:
Good tee shot on 8. This is the hole where it all turns around
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
But… yep, you guessed it, another three-putt:
Had 30' for birdie on 8. I was so nervous just to get it within tap in range. Left that 3' short, and left that on the front lip…I'm wrecked.
+9 thru 8.
Found the rough on 9. This is bad
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
Tough. By the way, here’s a look at Geno’s swing:
A look at the 9th tee hall
Phot cred, and playing partner @KJStewartpga pic.twitter.com/dIYRA7SOfl
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
The dude can stripe it. But an eighth consecutive bogey (talk about riding the bogey train!) saw him make the turn at 10-over. Among my friends, we call that one over THE STANDARD, a.k.a. bogey golf. But then it finally happened. A par!
ATTENTION EVERYONE. I have a very important announcement.
I MADE A PAR! +10 thru 10
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
And another!
Another par on 11! (That's a hard hole) +10 thru 11
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
Geno was really starting to cook. Until the 12th hole cooked him for a second double-bogey.
Didn't take my medicine on 12. Thought I could get it up to the green. Ball went 20 yards. Double.
+12 thru 12
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
Ouch. After a bounceback par on 13, a disappointing bogey on the driveable (at least, for the tour pros) par-4 14th, and two more pars on 15 and 16, Bonnalie was at 13-over through 16 (three under THE STANDARD), leaving the under very much in play.
HUGE par on 16. +13 thru 16. 17 is a beast
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
Another bogey set up more drama on 18 than we saw in the final round!
5 on 17 as expected. +14 thru 17. Par here for the under?? MUST find the fwy
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
That 84.5 number was perfect! And Geno only added to the suspense waiting and waiting and waiting to finally share the final result. He made followers – and anyone who actually bet on this – sweat it out for nearly an hour. So… the final tally…
I actually hit a good tee shot on 18. wind got it, and it ended up or step into the rough. I had to hack it out. 7i to 60'. Bogey. 85. Sad day
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
Damn. So close. Don’t beat yourself up over it, Geno. Even your boss shot 78 in round three. And that back-nine 40 was pretty strong, although those closing two bogeys might haunt you for a while… Anyway, some final thoughts on Monday’s round.
That was a bucket list day for sure. I've always had so much respect for these guys, but thinking of shooting under par out there baffles me.
I would consider myself a decent player, and I left a few easy ones out there today, but I don't think I could break 80 in those…
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) May 22, 2023
In other words, these guys are good. But great stuff, Geno. And if you ever get tired of caddieing, it seems like you could move to Vegas and become a sports handicapper.