Ryan McCormick, a professional golfer currently playing on the Korn Ferry Tour, hasn’t played well at all this season. Following a rough spell on the PGA Tour, McCormick lost his card and went back down to the PGA Tour’s developmental tour the Korn Ferry. There too, he has underperformed. In an unusual move to control his frustrations, he taped his mouth shut during the Club Car Championship on Friday.
As the tournament unfolded, McCormick shot a 1-over 73 to start and backed that up with a 72 on Friday. Unfortunately for him, these scores guaranteed it, as he was know doomed to miss the cut after posting his second round. This season, McCormick has made it through the weekend just three times in six starts. He hasn’t come close to cracking the top-40.
McCormick hoped to reduce his own frustrations and the potential for disputes with those he played alongside. So, he took his advocacy in a new direction. Consider using clear tape to seal your mouth shut, a choice he had been thinking about for months. The Korn Ferry Tour even released video of McCormick playing the course with tape covering his mouth.
I mean, I’m not like proud. I don’t want to create an experience for my playing partners that’s not fair, McCormick explained. And, you know, it’s not fair to me too or other people. Last day was hard and that was my answer today.
Looking back on his choice, McCormick said he has mixed feelings on whether it made him focus more. He stated, “I was hoping maybe that it would help me. Can’t say that it did or didn’t. It certainly makes you breathe. I felt like Bane, like Batman, muzzle myself.” His whimsical reference to former favorite characters Comic Book Guy and Inspector Gadget highlights the unique approach he took.
McCormick’s giant step backward this year has not escaped attention. He went on to describe the fun-having on the golf course—not-so-fun times. Anger and frustration were as essential to his performances as guitar and song. Been experiencing some less-than-fabulous times this year on the golf course. Pretty angry and mad. So I figured I’ve tried a lot of things, and I just figured I’d shut myself up,” he admitted.
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