Billy Hurley’s win at Tiger Woods’ tournament perfect antidote to Dustin Johnson’s US Open farce
Emotional PGA Tour winner endured year of 'hell' after losing dad but held off heavyweights Ernie Els and Vijay Singh
THE heart-warming back story to Billy Hurley’s breakthrough win on the US Tour is the perfect antidote to golf’s moments of madness — such as Dustin Johnson’s US Open rules fiasco.
Hurley is the golfer who made an impassioned appeal on American TV during last year’s Quicken Loans National because his father had gone missing.
The family were concerned about the ex-police officer’s state of mind.
And their worst fears were realised a few weeks later when he took his own life with a shotgun.
Hurley, 34, described the past year as “hell”.
But he was finally able to smile again after his emotional three-shot victory at the National.
It is a tournament held a few miles from his home in Maryland and where his dad used to help out with security.
Throw in the fact that he was ranked 602nd in the world, was playing only thanks to an invitation from tournament host Tiger Woods AND he had to see off challenges from former Major champions Vijay Singh and Ernie Els, and his triumph really was the stuff of fairytales.
Hurley understandably choked up when he was asked what this victory meant to him.
But mum Cheryl said: “He’s worked so hard and had to overcome so many obstacles.
“Obviously this past year was the hardest obstacle to overcome and — truth be told — he was really very discouraged at the beginning of the year.
“It was difficult. But it was great that so many family and friends were here to share in his win.
“Everyone is local, so I just told them they needed to be there and they were.
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“We support each other and I knew they’d be here to support Billy, no matter what happened.
“There was a lot of emotion and a lot of memories from just a year ago — how sad everything was.
“But this was such a great day that brought a lot of happiness and closure.”
Singh, 53, finished runner-up, while 46-year-old Els — who was partnering Hurley in the final group — faded into fifth.
Both veterans were kicking themselves for not ending long winless streaks,
But they would not begrudge Hurley his richly deserved victory. No one could.
MUIRFIELD’S decision to hold a second ballot on whether to admit women members is welcome news.
The Scottish club needed a two-thirds majority to change its rules when it was put to the vote in May.
But the 397 members — 64 per cent — who voted in favour fell just short.
The R&A responded by taking Muirfield off the Open rota. The course last hosted the major in 2013, when Phil Mickelson won.
Club captain Henry Fairweather said the outcome of the vote damaged Muirfield’s reputation and needed to be overturned.
A second vote on the issue will take place before the end of the year.
Birdie of the week: HENRIK STENSON made it third time lucky at the BMW International after finishing runner-up the last two years.
In doing so the Swede guaranteed himself a fourth Ryder Cup outing at Hazeltine in September.
Bogey of the week: THIS goes to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers — as the Muirfield members are known — IF they fail to overturn that ridiculous decision to keep women members out.
Say that again?: BILLY HURLEY summed up the reaction of everyone who witnessed his Quicken Loans triumph.
The American said: “I just couldn’t script a better one for me to get my first Tour win.”