As golf fans, many of us expected the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach to deliver a champion from a group of golfers including Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Speith, Dustin Johnson, and Rory McIlroy. But surprisingly, the steady and impressive Gary Woodland pulled out the victory and won his first major championship at the age of 35.
On Sunday, Woodland started out with the lead and maintained it throughout the day, despite another championship-caliber performance from Koepka (he was fighting for his third straight U.S. Open win) and also some tough competition from Rose. Woodland held the lead with a solid final round that consisted of a memorable wedge shot on the 17th hole and a phenomenal final putt on 18.
A few holes earlier, however, provided the most pivotal moment of the day. Thanks to a key decision resulting from the advice of his caddie, Brennan Little, Woodland made a birdie on the 14th hole that kept Koepka two strokes back.
Golf Digest’s John Feinstein wrote, “Little was convinced Woodland could hit his 3-wood over the front-left bunker that captures and often swallows players golf balls and their chances to win. Woodland went along, flew the bunker and the ball landed just left of the green in very playable rough. From there, Woodland chipped to three feet, drilled the putt and, just like that, he wasn’t feeling Koepka’s breath on the back of his neck.” Woodland said his shot with the 3-wood at 14 gave him the momentum moving forward and explained, “There's a lot that could have gone wrong, left is not good, right's out of bounds. Long is not ideal. And the bunker speaks for itself. To execute that shot under the pressure, under the situation, that shot gave me the confidence.”
Of course, Woodland is the one that hit the shot, but he trusted his caddie enough to use the club he recommended. The golfer and caddie relationship must be built on trust, and the experience, perspective, and insight from a caddie can be the difference in winning and losing.
Woodland trusted Little’s advice and this crucial decision led him to have even more confidence.
We have parallel moments in our own lives when a pivotal choice is in front of us. We must decide to listen to the advice of the One who is walking the “course” of life with us and choose whether or not we will do what He tells us to do.
Our choices reveal whether or not we truly trust Him. Hopefully, we fully rely on Jesus and trust His experience, perspective, and insight to make the difference between winning and losing in life.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT) says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
The Lord is telling us the “clubs to use,” so to speak, and we can trust He’s always telling us the right one. Today, let’s place our full dependence on Him, knowing His character and guidance are worthy of our trust.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom"(Isaiah 40:28; NIV).
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge I am so limited in my understanding and desire to trust in Your leading and guiding. Help me to make wise decisions and choose Your way over my own. I pray I’d remain on the right path, trusting You every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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