Eddie Pepperell - the loneliness & tedium of a pro golfer [BBC]

[nevets88]

Nice to hear a pro golfer speak so candidly. It's not all celebrating in the private jet or hanging out w/celebrities.

Quote:

Blame the media for its bland enquiries. Blame the golfers for their lack of candour. Blame modern sport for its insistence on focus and discipline. Blame those damn caps they wear that make them all look the same. Whatever the reason, it's nice to meet a golfer willing to open up about pretty much anything.

...

It was what Pepperell describes as the "mind-destroying" tedium and loneliness of tour life that compelled him to start writing in the first place, as well as a sudden conviction that expanding his mind might make him a better golfer.

If I'm not playing great I'm so miserable. And I'm not a miserable person.

"I felt like a candle," says Pepperell, who is still to win on the European Tour but does have previous major experience, having qualified for the 2013 US Open. "I'd be flickering on and off, the fire wasn't there every day. But once I started reading books - I didn't read one until I was 19 - it opened my mind completely, I started to see the world from different angles, as well as myself."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/golf/33391487

[Natural Patrick]

For those that follow the European tour more that I. What are the chances that Eddie Pepperell at least makes the cut next week at the Open? I have a bet with some friends at work for the Open. The catch is you have you pick a player that is not ranked in the top 50 in the WGR. If the player you pick misses the cut your screwed. Anyway after watching some of the Scottish Open. I was thinking Eddie may not be a bad pick, thoughts?

[RJH999]

For those that follow the European tour more that I. What are the chances that Eddie Pepperell at least makes the cut next week at the Open? I have a bet with some friends at work for the Open. The catch is you have you pick a player that is not ranked in the top 50 in the WGR. If the player you pick misses the cut your screwed. Anyway after watching some of the Scottish Open. I was thinking Eddie may not be a bad pick, thoughts?

Not a bad pick, but I think there is tons of better picks! :-)

[Natural Patrick]

Not a bad pick, but I think there is tons of better picks!

Then just give me a half ton of them?

[RJH999]

Then just give me a half ton of them?

Joost Luiten, Ben Martin, or Danny Lee would be my picks.

[Silent]

For those that follow the European tour more that I. What are the chances that Eddie Pepperell at least makes the cut next week at the Open? I have a bet with some friends at work for the Open. The catch is you have you pick a player that is not ranked in the top 50 in the WGR. If the player you pick misses the cut your screwed. Anyway after watching some of the Scottish Open. I was thinking Eddie may not be a bad pick, thoughts?

Might be a good pick, but go for Luiten. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but in this case it has nothing to do with being biased: He simply is a better golfer right now, and only because of sucking at the PGA tournaments he went from OWGR 28th in December to just outside top 50 now. Pepperell has the future though.

[Silent]

Nevermind, he's back in the top 50.

Pepperell his results in the current season:

You might want to consider Marc Warren or Andy Sullivan as well. Or go with experience with McDowell or Donald.

[Rick Martin]

Regarding playing poorly and being miserable.......I think even amateur golfers who work hard on their games have that mentality. I've played for 30+ yrs and rounds would stick with me for awhile, and I'd be elated when I shot in the mid/low 70s.......funny how by taking a year off from the game, I'm a friendlier person overall.

---------------

On another aspect of the tour and players who may be struggling. Justin Rose had a similar experience early in his career. He did have early success as an amateur at The Open, but struggled greatly when he hit the Euro Tour.....I think he went a long time without even making a cut. Now he's among the world's best. Hopefully young Eddie learns from Rose's early struggles.....there are some parallels between the two golfers.

[Natural Patrick]

For those that follow the European tour more that I. What are the chances that Eddie Pepperell at least makes the cut next week at the Open? I have a bet with some friends at work for the Open. The catch is you have you pick a player that is not ranked in the top 50 in the WGR. If the player you pick misses the cut your screwed. Anyway after watching some of the Scottish Open. I was thinking Eddie may not be a bad pick, thoughts?

Not a bad pick, but I think there is tons of better picks!

Joost Luiten, Ben Martin, or Danny Lee would be my picks.

I really need to just start listing to the voices in my own head instead of others.

[Chilli Dipper]

Pepperell found himself tied for the lead at the Open... ...Then he immediately blocked his tee shot at the Road Hole onto the roof of the hotel. What a shame.

[RJH999]

I really need to just start listing to the voices in my own head instead of others.

This really only proves that I'm a dumbass

[Silent]

I really need to just start listing to the voices in my own head instead of others.

:-D PS I mentionend Warren ;-)

[RJH999]

:-D PS I mentionend Warren ;-)

And Ben Martin made the cut...:-D.

[Natural Patrick]

This really only proves that I'm a dumbass

[J Cream]

Always trust your first instinct...