PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In the next couple of months Nico Ward is going to step to the tee box leading the West Allegheny High School golf team, Monday he tees off 36 holes from qualifying for the US Open in the group behind PGA Tour veteran Tony Finau.
The 16-year-old will be a part of what has been termed recently the ‘Golf’s Longest Day’ which is 36 holes across 10 golf courses throughout North America as a couple handfuls of golfers will make it into the national championship.
“I’ve been playing really solid,” Ward told 93.7 The Fan. “To play in the US Open final qualifier is just awesome, can’t wait for it.”
Ward is part of the qualifying at Springfield (Ohio) Country Club that includes Finau, PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, 21-year-old Aldrich Potgieter, Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker and fellow Pittsburgher Neal Shipley.
No doubt Ward is going to run into golfers he’s only ever seen before on television, including likely spending some time around the 38-year-old Finau.
“It’s going to be really fun,” Ward said last week. “I’m just going to say what’s up to him at the putting green and hopefully he’s chill back.”
Ward won a playoff in Cleveland last month to make the final qualifier on Monday and found the player he beat ‘chill’ as well. He went five extra holes with C.M. Mixon, a Louisville grad who is trying to make it on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“He was very solid,” Ward told 93.7 The Fan. “He talked to me before and after the playoff and he was just very kind. It shows me you got to play well to get to the PGA Tour, where you want to be. You got to go out there and play and not put pressure on yourself.”
And the other lesson was how an obviously disappointed Mixon carried himself. After the playoff, the two went inside and talked. Mixon could have darted off following the loss to a 16-year-old, but handled himself with class.
Four years ago, Ward was not only playing golf, but hockey and baseball and said he was a pretty good hockey player. But at age 12, got on a hot streak with golf and wanted to devote his time to being in the position he is in now, 36 holes from playing in a major with all of the stars.
Ward credits his parents for being his rock. He’s recognized how hard they have worked to give him these opportunities and how they are there for him good and bad.
“They are the best parents you could ask for,” Ward said.
He’s riding a mindset where he just goes out there and plays and says whatever he shoots doesn’t change who he is. Of course, he cares about the final results, but says he’s figured out how to take a lot of pressure off himself and just go play.
Monday is going to be like nothing he’s experienced before against competition at a level he’s never faced. Ward said he tends to get a little fast when he’s fired up and will have to remember to slow down.
“I’m just going to go out there and have fun, whatever happens, happens,” Ward told 93.7 The Fan.
Last Thursday, Ward not only qualified for the United States Junior Amateur Championship at Totterridge Golf Course, but was co-medalist after a bogey-free 68. Asked how far he could hit his drives, he said modestly ‘I can hit it out there a bit’, but said golf is about the wedges and putter.
It’s no wonder the 16-year-old has had early success. He approaches the game better than most amateurs of any age. While Monday and the US Junior Amateur Championship at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, PA are great opportunities, he just seems to have an insightful way of thinking on how this game might impact his future.
“I’m very happy,” Ward said. “The ultimate goal is to get into a nice school and just live life and see where it puts me.”
What a spring so far for Nico Ward, what has keyed it, his perspective & opportunity
What a spring so far for Nico Ward, what has keyed it, his perspective & opportunity
