Industry News – Sony Open

Golf has its share of inspirational stories, where players have faced hardship and seemingly impossible odds, only to come back and defy those odds. One such person is PGA Tour player Kevin Na, winner of the recent Sony Open.

Na entered the final round two shots back of third-round leader Brendan Steele. A bogey on #12 damaged his chances, but he then ripped off consecutive birdies the next three holes to forge into the lead, which he never relinquished.

After taking 369 starts to capture his first win, Na now has four victories in his last 55 starts. But during the 2012 Players, Na faced some inner demons on national television. He frequently backed off shots and took forever to pull the trigger. A final-round 76 left him shy of winner Matt Kuchar and a national golf audience wondering just what the heck was going on with Na.

He persevered, gaining an inner resolve and a belief in his game that has led to his current success. Na exemplifies the old sayings of “one step back, two steps forward,” and “it’s not what happens to you; it’s how you respond.” He easily could have quit, but chose the more difficult path. And so far, so good.