Tour pros know their stock yardages to the exact number, which is why you’ll often hear them yell “GO IN” after a perfectly struck iron shot. Chances are it’s going to be within 10 feet of the hole when they shout that, but asking it to go in is still a greedy ask.
Sometimes, though, the ball respectfully obliges, like it did on Thursday at the Tour Championship for Sergio Garcia. On the opening hole in his opening round at East Lake, a 458-yard par-4, the Spaniard’s well-struck 160-yard approach shot was heading directly at the pin. So Garcia did what any player would do – “GO IN.” It listened:
“Go in” with a side of “are you not entertained?” Sauce level: 1 billion.
Garcia’s opening eagle saw him jump to two-under for the tournament (he started at even par even with the starting strokes). He’s since given one back. Still, though, nothing like a eagle hole out to remind everyone he might be rounding into form just in time for the Ryder Cup. Another strong showing at East Lake after last week’s T-6 at the BMW should certainly get European captain Padraig Harrington’s full attention.
