Robert Garrigus on the practice green at TPC Southwind
When Robert Garrigus rolled in his short putt to seal the victory in the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Orlando last November, he completed a journey that he believes started in Memphis, Tenn.
“I didn’t want Memphis to define my career,” said the affable PGA TOUR pro referring to the final-hole, triple-bogie 7 that ultimately cost him the FedEx St. Jude Classic title. “In all actuality Memphis started my career,” he explained.
“If Memphis didn’t happen, then Disney wouldn’t have happened - that’s a fact.” And when Garrigus speaks of things that so many other pros make sound cliche, you know he means it with every fiber of his being.
Garrigus was in town today and at TPC Southwind for the FedEx St. Jude Classic media day. It was an interesting twist on a day that typically features the defending champion and includes multiple interviews regarding how that player is looking forward to coming back to town to try and repeat as champion.
But the FESJC defending champion is Lee Westwood, who ultimately survived a playoff over Garrigus and Robert Karlsson to claim the title last year, and Westwood is officially a European Tour player who only competes in the United States on a limited basis.
That makes scheduling an appearance in the spring for a media day a virtual impossibility. Westwood was willing to make himself available to the media in Memphis via whatever technology was deemed the best fit, but someone had a more creative idea.
The intent was for Garrigus to recreate his attempt to complete the 18th hole at TPC Southwind - hopefully this time in less than 7 strokes. It would have been entertaining to watch, but as the game of golf goes there would be no such attempt. Mother Nature wouldn’t allow it as threatening storms moved into the Memphis area in advance of the media day tip-off.
But Garrigus was entertaining none the less.
“I only brought three clubs,” he told the crowd of assembled media members, “a 5 iron, a wedge and a putter. I was going to hit 5 iron off the tee, then wedge, wedge, to the green, two-putt and go home.”
Garrigus (L) with FESJC General Chairman, Jack Sammons
The fact that Garrigus wanted to be in Memphis today, and joke about an event that had to be extremely painful, speaks volumes about the type of gentleman he is.
In fact, Jack Sammons, who serves as the tournament’s General Chairman, was so moved by Garrigus’ attitude towards the loss last year and his passion for doing the right things for the kid’s of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that he used his considerable “juice” with the Memphis City Council and presented Garrigus with a formal proclamation declaring today “Robert Garrigus Day”.
With that came a key to the city and, in a humorous twist, a key to the 18th hole at TPC Southwind as well.
Garrigus picked up in 2011 where he left off last year, ultimately reaching a playoff with Jonathan Byrd, yet losing, in the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January. The victory would have secured him a spot in the Masters for the first time, but as is the case with Garrigus, this just adds to the motivation.
“I thought the win at Disney got me into the Masters,” he said, “but I wasn’t 100% sure.” After asking around that afternoon he would learn that a win in a Fall Series event doesn’t earn an automatic invitation to Augusta - just more motivation.
In February Garrigus found himself in the top 10 after three rounds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am including a back-nine 29 at Monterey Peninsula Country Club on Saturday, but on Sunday morning he knew something was wrong.
“I couldn’t stand up when I tried to get out of bed,” he explained. “I was dizzy, felt sick and knew I had to call the paramedics.”
What was reported as a dangerous spike in blood pressure, which did occur, was ultimately diagnosed as severe dehydration and led to his withdrawal from the tournament. Garrigus said that 45 minutes after his scheduled tee time he was cleared to play golf.
“I have never been that upset to miss a round of golf,” he recalled. And the incident left him a little “skittish”.
“For a couple of weeks after that I was a little afraid to go at it real hard,” he said, but that is all behind him now. “I am working out fully again, and I’m ready to contend. That’s what players work for, that’s what we all love.”
Garrigus earned many new fans after his near-miss in Memphis and looks forward to returning this year. We look forward to his return as well, and hopefully an opportunity to watch him contend again.
“I told my caddie walking up to the 18th tee at Disney - well, we know what NOT to do.”
