Throwback Thursday: Na’s unwanted PGA Tour record
The Background
There’s a reason Kevin Na looks so dejected as he leaves the scorer’s hut.
April 14, 2011, a day the American will spend the rest of his life cursing.
Na was one under par walking to the ninth tee during round one of the Texas Open but what happened next had never before been seen on the PGA Tour – and hasn’t happened since…
The Scene
Na’s original tee shot went right and into some thick woodland. He found his ball but took an unplayable lie and returned to the tee box. He then hit his ball back into the the same area.
This time, he tried to play out of the trees. His first attempt hit a branch then hit him. Instant one shot penalty.
It then took him seven more shots just to get out of the trees, finding the second cut.
Na then landed one on the fringe before two putting to card a 16 – the worst score on a par 4 in PGA Tour history.
The Legacy
Not that there is much of a legacy but the video of Na hacking out the trees will surely have put a smile on the average club golfer’s face and is a fantastic sight during this time of year when you’re feeling down about your golfing ability.
The 16 that Na carded may have had long lasting affects on him as he seemed to develop a case of the yips soon after the event.
It is probably also worth reminding that Kevin Na can say he holds a record on the PGA Tour, even though it is a poor one at that.
For what it’s worth, this isn’t the highest score ever recorded on a single hole. Tommy Armour holds that title with a 23 at the 1927 Shawnee Open.
Throwback Thursday: Golf’s original meme is born
Throwback Thursday: Larry Mize produces chip of a lifetime
Throwback Thursday: When golf was banned… in Scotland!
Tiger out for season after fourth back surgery
Quick 9: Wesley Bryan’s best trick shots
‘World Handicap System’ being developed by R&A, USGA
Matthew Beedle
Matthew has been playing golf since he was around 13 and took up the game at a local nine-hole municipal course with his friends before joining Pontefract & District Golf Club just over the hedge.
Still a member of Pontefract with a handicap of 3, he currently sits on the board of directors to help with digital and marketing initiatives in order to improve membership and visitor income.
Matthew graduated university with a First Class in Sports Journalism from Leeds Trinity University and has been working in the golf industry since graduating.
NCG’s social media & marketing manager, Matthew’s main job role is to increase website traffic to the National Club Golfer website via our email and social media channels as well as driving entries to grow our NCG Top 100s Tour events amongst other tasks.
Not one to change his equipment too often, Matthew currently plays the TaylorMade M2 driver which has lasted the test of time in his bag. Elsewhere, you’ll find him using the TaylorMade Stealth 2 three-wood with a Ping G425 Crossover 2-iron to aid his long game.
Through his 4-iron to Gap Wedge, Matthew uses the Ping i500 irons accompanied by Ping’s Glide 3.0 56-degree and 60-degree wedges.
Another club that has stood the test of time in his bag is a Nike Method Core MC-3i putter which has had to have the SuperStroke grip changed at least three times. Ball of choice is the Titleist ProV1.