KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — It may not be the result he wanted but Malaysia pro golfer Gavin Green can take comfort in knowing he has now got a taste of what it’s like to play golf with the big boys.
Green was recently invited to the season-opening Safeway Open at the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California, through his management company Excel Sports Management which also represents world no. 11 Justin Rose.
Gavin was paired with Julian Etulian of Argentina and first alternate Max Homa — who got in the field after Tiger Woods pulled out — and had an added bonus when Mark Fulcher or ‘Fooch’— caddie to Rose — carried the bag for him.
“It has been great having Fooch by my side.
“He’s not only a fantastic caddy but he helped me tremendously and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him,” said Green.
The 22-year-old started his tee-off first round with a birdie on the first hole, but followed that with two bogeys and two double-bogeys on the first nine.
He finished with another birdie on the 18th for a four-over 76.
On day two, he had one birdie on the 12th hole, five bogeys and a triple on the par-three seventh hole, coming in at seven-over. He missed the cut by 13 shots.
“It was literally a baptism of fire,” said Gavin.
“I did not hit the ball well and as a result I didn’t shoot the scores I could have got.
“I need to get sharper and keep the ball in play,” said Green.
Good thing for Green, he got to play practice rounds with Paul Casey, Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar, Ted Purdy and 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover.
These players have been plying their trade on the PGA Tour for years and surely some of that grit and determination will rub off on Gavin.
“The course was in great condition and the greens were pretty quick. It was a great experience for me and I have learnt a lot,” remarked Gavin.
Gavin’s mum, Vivienne, went with him to Napa to watch him play.
“They handle things very differently here. The players are treated well. It’s really something else.”
There is still work to be done if Gavin’s dreams are to be realised,” she said.
Next year he will play on the Asian Tour as he sits in second place on the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit.
Regardless, Gavin has had a good season with two wins on the Asian Development Tour.
His next stop will be the four-day CIMB Classic at the Tournament Player’s Club (TPC) in Kuala Lumpur, beginning on Thursday.
