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Sergio Garcia receives message: Don’t give up on major dreams

Meet Andrew Johnston – otherwise known as “Beeeeeef”. You know, pastrami at Katz’s Deli, sampling burgers throughout Manhattan, and getting a taste of the fare from his newest sponsor, Arby’s.

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How many other players in the best field in golf history, world point rankings-wise, worked at a fast-food restaurant this week?

The bearded Brit with the never-fading smile and jovial outlook is relishing his newfound popularity. His silky smooth putting stroke has returned and what a story it would be for the 49-year old to pick up his first major championship. And he’s been all over social media. But with the schedule change this year, the PGA is teeing off just 11 days after Henrick Stenson’s dramatic victory over Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon in Scotland. “And I like the golf course”. “I’ve played with Kuch; me and him have had some success”. “So it might not be bad to get straight back at it. It could be a bit of both”. “And no matter who you are, where you are, where you’re from, people should embrace that”. Where some athletes might back away from interaction with the public as they seek their place in their sport, Johnston is all in.

One of the most popular players on tour due to his vibrant style and friendly personality, Fowler knows the importance of finally winning a major, but the former OSU Cowboy admits it’s not an easy task. “It’s different, but I’ve played par 70 courses all the time where you only get two par 5s, so it’s nothing new”. But it was like the first real time where I’ve had that much attention. “I’m kind of coming into my prime now and I’m hoping to stay there for a while”. “I’m going to go out and try to focus on what I’ve got to do”.

Golf goes in cycle, and maybe this one favors Garcia. Dustin Johnson is playing the finest golf of his career right now.

So his outsized image right now is more responsible for his burgeoning popularity than is his game.

“I was kind of calm about it, and she’s like freaking out in the back on the bus, and she’s like, ‘Call 911, call 911.’ I’m trying to look for Benadryl, and we didn’t have any, so we ended up calling 911 and the paramedics came and they looked after her which is great”. “First thing’s first is the golf”. That’s what I grew up watching and where I wanted to be.

“No, it’s all about the golf”.

Reigning champion Jason Day said he is “running on empty” on the eve of the US PGA Championship following a late-night trip to hospital on Tuesday after his wife suffered a health scare.

“He looks like a top bloke, like a guy you want to go down to the pub and have a beer with, even if you don’t drink”, Day said, smiling.

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Day’s driving accuracy has been a recent problem and while he feels he turned a corner on the weekend in Canada, he acknowledges he needs some lengthy dedicated practice sessions to really get his game in top shape. “And the more times you do that, that’s what gives you chances for it to happen”.

Mickelson not close to being over runner-up in British Open